The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-19 00:00:00

RELATIONS UTIH OTHER STATES.

The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably satisfac-
tory- Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil war. While
our political relations with that country have undergone no
change, we have at the s►me time strictly maintained
neutrality between the belligerents. At the request of the
state* of Coats Rica and Nicaragua, a competent engineer
has been authorised to make a survey of the River San
Juan. It is a source of much satisfaction that the difficul-
ties which for s moment excited some political apprehen-
sion and caused adenine of the inter•oceanic transit route
have been amicably adjusted, and that there is a good pros-
pect that the route will soon be reopened with an increase
of capacity and adaptation. We could not exaggerate
either the commercial or the political importance of that
great iroprovemeut. It would be doing injustice to an im-
portant South American State not to acknowledge the
directness, frankness, and cordiality with which the United
States of Colombia have entered into intimate relations
with this government. A Claims' Convention has been con-
stituted, to complete the unfinished work of the one which
closed its session in PAIL The new liberal constitution of
Venezuela having gone into effect with the universal ac-
quiescence of the people, the government under it has been
recognised, and diplomatic intercourse with it his been
opened in a cordial and friendly spirit,. The long deferred
Awes Island claim has been satisfactorily p►id and discharged.
Mutual payments have been made of the claims awarded
by the late joint commission for the settlement of claims
between the United States and Peru. An earnest and cor-
dial friendship continuos to exist between the two coun-
tries, and such efforts as were in my power have
been used to remove misunderstanding, and avert
a threatened war between Peru and Spain. Our rela-
tions are of the most friendly nature with Chili, the Argen-
tine Republic, Bolivar, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salta.
dor. and Hayti. During the peat year no differences of any
kind have arisen with any of these Republics ; and, on the
, other hand, their sympathies with the United States are
constantly expressed with cordiality and earneetuesa. The
claim arising from the seizure of the cargo of the brig Mace•
dooia is 1821 has been paid in full by the government of Chili.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San Domingo,
, apparently without prospect of an early close. I )fficial cor-
e respondence has been freely opened with Liberia, and it
gives us a pleasing view of social and political Progress in
that Republic. It may be expected to derive new
vigour from American influence, improved by the rapid
disappearance of slavery it the United States. I solicit
your authority to furnish to the republic a gunboat at a
moderate cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by
' instalments. Such a vowel is needed for the safety of that
state against the native African races, and io Liberian hands
it would be more effective io arresuog the African slave
trade than a squadron in our own hands. Tue pos ession of
the least organised naval force would stimulate a generous
ambition in the republic. and the confidence which
we should manifest by furnishing it would win for-
bearance and favour toward the colony from all
civilised nations. The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way of Behring's Straits and
Asiatic Rusia, which was sanctioned by Congress at the
last session, has been undertaken, under very favourable cir-
cumstances, by an association of American citizens, with the
cordial good-will and support as well of this government as
of those of Great Britaiu arid Russia. Assurances have
been received from most of the South American States of
their high appreciation of the eatery' ase, and their readiness
to co-operate is constructing lines tributary to that world.
encircling communication.