The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-19 00:00:00

SPAIN.

Our relations with Spain aro now of a more complicated
though less dangerous character, than they have been for
many years. Our citizens have long held, and continue to
hold, numerous claims against the Spanish Government.
These had been ably urged for a series of years by our suc-
cessive diplomatic representatives at Madrid, but without
obtaining redress. The Spanish Government finally agreed
to institute a joint commission for the adjustment of these
claims, and on the sth day of March, 1860, concluded a
convention for this purpose with our present minister at
Madrid. Under this convention, what have been deno •
minated " the Cuban claims," amounting to 128,635 dole.
and 54 cents, in which more than one hundred of our fellow-
citizens are interested, were recognised, and the Spanish
government agreed to pay 100,000 dole. of this amount
" within three months following the exchange of ratifi •
cations."

_____....
The payment of the remaining 28,635 dols. 54c. was to
await the decision of the commissioners for or against " the
Amistad claim ;" but in any event the balance was to be
paid to the claimants either by Spain or the United Stales.
These terms I have every reason to knew are highly satis-
factory to the holders of the Cuban claims. Indeed, they
have made a formal offer, authorising the State Department
to settle these claims, and to deduct the amount of the
Amistad claim from the sums which they are entitled to
receive from Spain. This offer of course cannot be accepted.
All other claims of citizens of the United States against
Spain, or of subjects of the Queen of Spain against the
United States, including the "Amistad claim," were by
this convention referred to a board of commissioners in the
usual form. Neither the validity of the Amistad claim, nor
of any other claim against either party, with the single ex-
ception of the Cuban claims, was recognised by the conveu-
tion. Indeed, the Spanish Government did not insist that
he validity of the Amistad claim should be thus recognised,
notwithstanding its payment had been recommended to
Congress by two of my predecessors as well as by myself,
and an appropriation for that purpose had passed the Senate
of the United States. They were content that it should be
submitted to the board for examination and decision, like
the oKther claims. Both Governments were bound respeee
tively to pay the amounts awarded to the several claimants
"at such times and places as may be fixed by and accord-
ing to the tenor of said awards."
I transmitted this convention to the Senate for their con•
stitutional action on the 11 May, 1860, and on the 27th of
the succeeding June, they determined that they would " not
advise and consent" to its ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with Spain in an
awkward and embarrassing position. It is more than pro-
bable that the final adjustment of these claims will devolve
pon my successor.
I reiterate the recommendation contained in my annual
Message of December, 1858, and repeated in that of Deeem
ber, 1859, in favour of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
by fair purchase. I firmly believe that such an acquisition
would contribute essentially to the well-being and pros-
perity of both countries in all future time, as well, as prove
the certain means of immediately abolishing the African
slave trade throughout the world. I would not re-
peat this recommendation upon the present occasion,
if I believed that the transfer of Cuba to the United
States, upon conditions highly favourable to Spain,
could justly tarnish the national honour of the proud and
ancient Spanish Monarchy.
Surely no person ever attributed to the first Napoleon a
disregard of the national honour of France, for transferring
Louisiana to the United States for a fair equivalent both
in money and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, &C.
With the Emperor of Austria, and the remaining conti-
nental powers of Europe, including that of the Sultan, our
relations continue to be of the most friendly character.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued by the Govern-
ment of the United States towards the Empire of China
has produced the most satisfactory results. The treaty of
Tientsin of the 18th of June, 1858, has been faithfully
observed by the Chinese authorities. The convention of
the Bth November 1858, supplementa to this treaty, for
the adjustment and satisfaction of there aims of our citi-
zap on China referred to in my first A.unual Message, i