The annexation of many small German States to Prussia and the reorganization of that country under a new and liberal constitution have induced me to renew the effort to obtain a just and prompt settlement of the long-vexed question concerning the claims of foreign states for military service from their subjects naturalized in the United States.

In connection with this subject the attention of Congress is respectfully called to a singular and embarrassing conflict of laws.  The executive department of this Government has hitherto uniformly held, as it now holds, that naturalization in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States absolves the recipient from his native allegiance.  The courts of Great Britain hold that allegiance to the British Crown is indefeasible, and is not absolved by our laws of naturalization.  British judges cite courts and law authorities of the United States in support of that theory against the position held by the executive authority of the United States.  This conflict perplexes the public mind concerning the rights of naturalized citizens and impairs the national authority abroad.  I called attention to this subject in my last annual message, and now again respectfully appeal to Congress to declare the national will unmistakably upon this important question.

The abuse of our laws by the clandestine prosecution of the African slave trade from American ports or by American citizens has altogether ceased, and under existing circumstances no apprehensions of its renewal in this part of the world are entertained.  Under these circumstances it becomes a question whether we shall not propose to Her Majesty’s Government a suspension or discontinuance of the stipulations for maintaining a naval force for the suppression of that trade.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

WASHINGTON, December 3, 1867.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit, for consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty between the United States and His Majesty the King of Denmark, stipulating for the cession of the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, in the West Indies.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, December 3, 1867.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit, for consideration with a view to ratification, a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and the Republic of Nicaragua, signed at the city of Managua on the 21st day of June last.  This instrument has been framed pursuant to the amendments of the Senate of the United States to the previous treaty between the parties of the 16th of March, 1859.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, December 4, 1867.

To the House of Representatives: