The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-20 00:00:00

JAPAN.

"I am happy to announce that, through the
energetic yet conciliatory efforts of our consul
general in Japan, a new treaty has been concluded
with that empire, which may be, expected mate-
rially to augment our trade and intercourse in that
quarter, and remove from our countrymen the disa-
bilities which have heretofore been imposed upon
the exercise of their religion. The treaty shall be
submitted to the Senate for approval without delay.
OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
"It is my earnest desire that every misunder-
standing with the Government of Great Britain
should be amicably and speedily adjusted. It has
been the misfortune of both countries, almost ever
since the period of the Revolution, to have been
annoyed by a succession of irritating and dangerous
questions, threatening their friendly relations.
This has partially prevented the full development
of those feelings of mutual friendship between the
people of the two countries, so natural in them-
selves, and so conducive to their common interest.
Any serious interruption of the commerce between
the United States and Great Britain would be
equally injurious to both. In fact, no two nations
have ever existed on the face of the earth which
could do each other so much good or so much harm.
" Entertaining these sentiments I am gratified
to inform you that the long-pending controversy
between the two Governments, in relation to the
question of visitation and search, has been amicably
adjusted. The claim on the part of Great Britain,
forcibly to 'Visit American vessels on the high seas
in time of peace, could not be sustained under the
law of nations, and it had been overruled by her
own most eminent jurists. This question was re-
cently brought to an issue by the repeated acts of
British cruisers in boarding and searching our
merchant vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and the
adjacent seas. These acts were the more injurious
and annoying as these waters are traversed by a
large portion of the commerce and navigation of
the United States, and their free and unrestricted
use is essential to the security of the coastwise trade
between different states of the Union. Such vexa-
tious interruptions could not fail to excite the feel-
ings of the country, and to require the interposition
of the Government. Remonstrances were addressed
to the British Government against these violations
of our rights of sovereignty, and a naval force was
at the same time ordered to the Cuban waters, with
directions to protect all vessels of the United
States on the high seas from search or detention by
the vessels of war of any other nation.' These mea-
sures received the unqualified and enthusiastic ap-
probation of the American people. Most fortunately
no collision took place, and the British Government
promptly avowed its recognition of the principles of
international law upon this subject, as laid down by
the Government of the United States in the note of
the Secretary of State to the British Minister at
Washington, of April 10, 1858, which secure the
vessels of the United States upon the high seas from
visitation or search in time of peace, under any cir-
cumstances whatever. The claim has been aban-
doned in a manner reflecting honour on the British
Government, and evincing a just regard for the law
of nations, and cannot fail to strengthen the ami-
cable relations between the two countries.
" The British Government, at the same time,
proposed to the United States that some mode
should be adopted, by mutual arrangement between
the two countries, of a character which may be
found effective without being offensive, for verify-
ing the nationality of vessels suspected on good
Founds of carrying false colours. They have also
invited the United States to take the initiative, and
propose measures for this purpose. Whilst declin-
ing to assume so grave a responsibility, the Secre-
tary of State has informed the British Government
that we are ready to receive any proposals which
they may feel disposed to offer, having this object
in view, and to consider them in an amicable spirit.
A strong opinion is, however, expressed, that the
occasional abuse of the flag of any nation is an evil
far less to be deprecated than would be the esta-
blishment of any regulations which might be in-
compatible with the freedom of the seas. This
government has yet received no communication spe-
cifying the manner in which the British Government
would propose to carry out their suggestion ; and I
am inclined to believe that no plan which can be de-
vised will be free from grave embarrassments. Still I
shall form no decided opinion on the subject until I
shall have carefully and in the best spirit exa-
mined any proposals which they may think proper
to make.

" I am truly sorry that I cannot also inform you
that the complications between Great Britain and
the United States, arising out of the Clayton and
Bulwer Treaty April, 1850, having been finally
adjusted.
" At the commencement of your last session, I
had reason to hope that, emancipationg themselves
from further unavailing discussions, the two go-
vernments would proceed to settle the Central Ame-
rican question in a practical manner, alike honour-
able and satisfactory to both ; and this hope I have
not yet abandoned. In my last annual message I
stated that overtures had been made by the British
government for this purpose, in a friendly spirit,
which I cordially reciprocated. Their proposal was
to withdraw these questions frrm direct negotiation
between the two governments ; but to accomplish
the same object by a negotiation between the Bri-
tish government and each of the Central American
.tepublics whose territorial interests are immediately
involved. The settlement was to be in accordance

with the general tenor of the interpretation placed
upon the Clayton and Bulwer treaty by the United
States, with certain modifications. As negotiations
are still pending upon this basis, it would not be
proper for me now to communicate their present
condition. A final settlement of these questions is
greatly to be desired, as this would wipe out the
last remaining subject of dispute between the two
countries.
" Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia, as well as with all other governments
on the continent of Europe, except that of Spain,
continue to be of the most friendly character.
OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

" With Spain our relations remain in an unsatis-
factory condition. In my message of December
last I informed you that our envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary to Madrid had asked
for his recall ; and it was my purpose to send out a
new minister to that court, with special instructions
on:all questions pending between the two govern-
ments, and with a determination to have them
speedily and amicably adjusted, if that were pos-
sible. This purpose has been hitherto defeated by
causes which I need not enumerate.

" The mission to Spain has been intrusted to a
distinguished citizen of Kentucky, who will pro-
ceed to Madrid without delay, and make another
and a final attempt to obtain justice from that go-
vernment.

" Spanish officials, under the direct control of
the Captain-General. of Cuba, have insulted our
national flag, and in repeated instances have from
time to time inflicted injuries on the persons and
property of our citizens. These have given birth to
numerous claims against the Spanish Government,
the merits of which have been ably discussed for a
series of years, by our successive diplomatic repre-
sentatives. Notwithstanding this we have not ar-
rived at a practical result in any single instance,
unless we may excevt the case of the Black Warrior,
under the late administration; and that presented
an outrage of such a character as would have justi-
fied an immediate resort to war. All our attempts
to obtain redress have been baffled and defeated.
The frequent and oft-recurring changes in the
Spanish ministry have been employed as reasons
for delay. We have been compelled to wait, again
and again, until the new minister shall have had
time toinvestigate the justice of our demands.
"Even what have been denominated the Cuban
claims,' in which more than a hundred of our citi-
zens are directly interested, have furnished no ex-
ception. These claims were for the refunding of
duties unjustly exacted from American vessels, at
different custom-houses in Cuba, so long ago as the
year 1844. The principles upon which they rest are
so manifestly equitable and just, that after a period
of nearly ten years, in 1854, they were recognised
by The Spanish government. Proceedings were
afterwards instituted to ascertain their amount, and
this was finally fixed, according to their own state-
ment (with which we are satisfied), at the sum of
128,635 dols. 54c. Just at the moment, after a de-
lay of 14 years, when we had reason to expect that
this sum would be repaid with interest, we have
received a proposal offering to refund one-third of
that amount (42,g78 dols. 41e.), but without inte-
rest, if we -would accept this in full satisfaction.
The offer is also accompanied by a declaration that
this indemnification is not founded on any reason
of strict justice, but is made as a special favour.
" One alleged came for procrastination in the
examination and adjustment of our claims arises
from an obstacle which it is the duty of the Spanish
government to remove. Whilst the Captain General
of Cuba is invested with general despotic authority
in the government of that island, the power is with-
held from him to examine and redress wrongs com-
mitted by officials under his control on citizens of
the United States. Instead of making our com.