The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-18 00:00:00

aPplication to Congress, have obtained a convention for the
same object."
This is the very course whist. I earnestly recommend in
order to obtain an " explanatory amendment" of the Con-
-Btitution on the subject of slavery. This might originate
with Congress or the State Legislatures, as may be deemed
most advisable to attain the object.
The explanatory amendment might be confined to the
411a1 settlement of the true construction of the Constitution
an three special points :
An express recognition of the right of property in
slaves in the States where it now exists or may hereafter
exist.

2. The duty of protecting this right in all the common
they
throughout their territorial existence, and until
LneY shall be admitted as States into the. Union, with or
Without slavery, as their constitutions may prescribe.
~3. A like recognition of the right of the master to have
ma slave, who has esoaped from one State to another,
restored and delivered up to him, and of the validity of the
fugitive slave law enacted for this purpose, together with a
declaration that all State laws impairing or defeating this
right are violations of the constitution, and are consequently
null and void.
It may be objected that this construction of the constitu-
tion has already been settled by the Supreme Court of the
united States, and what more ought to be required ? The
answer is that a very large proportion of the people of the
United States still contest the correctness of this decision,
mid never will cease from agitation and admit its binding
force until clearly establishe by the people of the several
States in their sovereign character. Such an explanatory
amendment would, it is believed, for ever terminate the
existing dissensions and restore peace and harmony among
he States.
It ought not to be doubted that such an appeal to the
arbitrament established by the constitution itself would be
received with favour by all the States of the confederacy.
:11 an
rey event it ought to be tried in a spirit of conciliation
Befo any of those States shall separate themselves from
the Union.
When I entered upon the duties of the Presidental office,
the aspect neither of our foreign nor domestic affairs was
at all satisfactory. We were involved in dangerous cora-
Plications with several nations, and two of our territories
Were in a state of revolution against the Government.
A restoration of the African slave trade had numerous
and powerful advocates. Unlawful military expeditions
Were countenanced by many of oar eitiaens, and were suf-
fered, in defiance of the Government, to escape from our
Shores, for the purpose of making war upon the unoffend -
Lag people of neighbouring republics with whom we were
4' peace.
In addition to these and other difficulties, we experienced
revulsion in monetary affairs, soon after my advent to
Power, of unexampled severity and of ruinous consequences
to all the great interests of the country. When we take a
retrospect of what was then our condition, and contrast this
With its material prosperity at the time of the late presiden-
,,tal election, we have abundant reason to return our grateful.
thanks to that merciful Providence which has never for-
saken us as a nation in all our past trials.

OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly
!ntracter. Since the commencement of my administration,
te two dangerous questions, arising from the Clayton and
-halwer treaty and from the right of search claimed by the
•nritish Government, have been amicably and honourably
adjusted.
The discordant construction of the Clayton and Bulwer
treaty between the two Governments, which at different
periods
of the discussion, bore a threatening aspect, have
!eulted in a final settlement entirely satisfactory to this
government. In my last annual message I informed Con-
gress that the British Government had not then " corn-
Pteted treaty arrangements with the republics of Hondu-
ras and Nicaragua, in pursuance of the understanding be-
tween the two Governments. It is Nevertheless confidently
!APected that this good work will ere long be accomplished.
Britannic
confident ;expectation has since been fulfilled. Her
'ritannie Majesty concluded a treaty with Monduras
21 the 24th November, 1859, and with Nicaragua on
the 28th August, 1860, relinquishing the Mosquito
Protectorate. Besides, by the former, the Bay Islands
It recognised as a part of the republic of Honduras.
4t may be observed that the stipulations of these treaties
confirm in every important particular to the amendments
`uopted by the Senate of the United States to the treaty
concluded at London on the 19th of October, 1856, between
the two Governments. It will be recollect d that this treaty
'4841 rejected by the British Government because of its ob-
action to the just and important amendment of the Senate
the article relating to Ruatan and the other islands in the
1243? of Honduras.
It must be a source of sincere satisfaction to all classes of
Cam'
fellow-citizens, and especially to those engaged in
foreign commerce, that the claim on the part of Great
„_ritain, forcibly to visit and search American Vessels on
the high seas in time of peace, has been abandoned. This
tlttas by far the most dangerous question to the peace of the
1t,,0 Countries which has existed since the war of 1812.
bilst it remained open, they might at any moment have
feet precipitated into a war. This was rendered mani-
tit by the exasperated state of public feeling
elitoughout our entire country, produced by the
c,trciblo search of American merchant vessels by
British cruisers on the coast of Cuba, in the spring of 1858.
.„k8 American people hailed with general acclaim the
tiers of the Secretary of the Navy to our naval force in
States
Gulf of Mexico, "to protect all vessels of the United
'easels
on the high seas from search or detention by the
'easels of war of any other nation."
These orders might have produced an immediate coffi-
n between the naval forces of the two countries. This
Ass most fortunately prevented by an appeal to the justice
a
Great Britain and to the law of nations as expounded by
star own most eminent jurists.
The only question of any importance which still remains
flien is the disputed title between the two Governments to
e island of San Juan, in the vicinity of Washington Ter-
ZiLaernet°rY. As this question is still un
moment to make any other
elusion to the subject.
The recent visit of the Prince sf Wales, in private cha-
4eter, to the people of this country, has proved to be a
most auspicious event. In its consequences, it cannot fail
increase the kindred and kindly feelings which I trust
may ever actuate the Government and people of both
„ 'eqintries in their political and social intercourse with each

FRANCE.
„ With France, our ancient and powerful ally, our rela-
'atts continue to be of the most friendly character. A de-
wl4;ou has recently been made by a French judicial tribu-
l:l'
vt,, with the approbation of the Imperial Government,
that'itch cannot fail to foster the sentiments of mutual regard
Under
have so long existed between the two countries.
Ilder the French law no person can serve in the armies of
France unless he be a French citizen. The law of Fronce
,6cognising the natural right of expatriation, it follows as a
reessary consequence that a Frenchman, by the fact of hav- •
:,g become a citizen of the United States, has changed his
4•
egiance and has lost his native character. He cannot,
• erefore, be compelled to serve in the French armies in
`lee he should return to his native country. These princi-
irwere announced in 1852 by the French Minister of
ar, and in two late cases have been confirmed by the
French judiciary. In these, two natives of France have
-en discharged from the French army because they had
biome American citizens. To employ the language of
:silt present minister to France, who has rendered good
rvice on this occasion : " I do not think our French na-
`llralised fellow citizens will hereafter experience mush an-
4°Yance on this subject."
o_l venture to predict that the time is not far distant when
Z4B other continental powers will adopt the same wise and
dot policy which has done so much honor to the enlightened
government of the Emperor. In any event, our Govern-
eat is bound to protect the rights of our naturalised citi-
„B
everywhere, to the same extent as though they bad
dawn their first breath in this country. We can recognise
'° distinction between our native and naturalised citizens.
RUSSIA.
Between the Great Empire of Russia and the United
sites the mutual friendship and regard which has so long
indeed
still continues to prevail, and, if possible, to increase.
4.,,11deed, our relations with that Empire are all that we could

SPAIN.
tixOur relations with Spain are now of a more complicated
°Ugh less dangerous character, than they have been for
114,1P_,3' years. Our citizens have long held, and continue to
These
numerous claims against the Spanish Government.
"see had been ably urged for a series of years by our sue-
788ive diplomatic representatives at Madrid, but without
3„ 414 sining redress. The Spanish Government finally agreed
toinstitute a joint commission for the adjustment of these
and on the sth day of March, 1860, concluded a
t.u.onvention for this purpose with our present minister at
Madrid. Under this convention, what have been deno -
kinated "the Cuban claims," amounting to 128,635 dole.
and 51 cents, in which more than one hundred of our fellow-
citizens are interested, were recognised, and the Spanish
ternment agreed to pay 100,000 dole. of this amount
Within three months follow ig the exchange of ratifi
if
The payment of the remaining 28,635 dols. 54a. was to
Wait the decision of the commissioners for or against " the
kmistad claim ;" but in any event the balance was to be
Taid to the claimants either by Spain or the United States.
hese terms I have every reason to know are highly satis-
factory to the holders of the Cuban claims. Indeed, they
4.4 vs made a formal offer, authorising the State Department
settle these claims, and to deduct the amount of the
Arnirdad claim from the sums which they are entitled to
teceive from Spain. This offer of course cannot be accepted.
All other claims of citizens of the United States against
IPairt, 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
118.118.1 form. Neither the validity of the Amistad claim, nor
0
any other claim against either party, with the single ex-
Ption of the Cuban claims, was recognised by the convex-
Indeed,• 11 the Spanish Government did not insist that
he validity of the Amsted claim should be thus recognised,
totwithstanding its payment had been recommended to
°Tigress by two of my predecessors as well as by myself,
Van appropriation for that urpose had assed the Senate
of the United States. Theyp were content that it should be
'pbtnitted to the board for examination and decision, like
the other claims. Both Governments were bound respec.
cil6lY to pay the amounts awarded to the several claimants
;211 such times and places as may be fixed by and accord-
:• 'to the tenor of said awards."
I transmitted this convention to the Senate for their con.
Itlltutional action on the 3d May, 1860, and on the 27th of
404 succeeding June, they determined that they would " not
',,„'vise and consent" to its ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with Spain in an
Ctrivard and embarrassing position. It is more than pro-
,lle that the final adjustment of these claims will devolve
Pon my successor.
111 reiterate the recommendation contained in my annual
"sage of December, 1858, and repeated in that of Decem
h:
fairlBs9 pu,
rchas in fae. vourl
firmly belie of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
obelieve that such an acquisition
pe.t.il,cl contribute essentially to the well-being and pros-
th'liY of both countries in all future time, as well as prove
certain means of immediate!), abolishing the African
„'sive trade throughout the world. I would not re-
t this recommendation upon the present occasion,
pr
ktti believed that the transfer of Cuba to the United
co, Pconditions highly favourable to Spain,
batty tarnish the national honour of the proud and
Esa:'
'ient Spanish Monarchy.
dis utely no person ever attributed to the first Napoleon a
totegard of the national honour of France, for transferring.
iioisiana to the United States for a fair equivalent both
1330TieY and commercial advantages.
An STRIA, ite.
With
te the rmporor of Austria, and the remaining conti-
reiatl Powers of Europe, including that of character Sultan, our
The continue to be of the most friendly .
baeuat friendly andeaceful policy pursued by the Govern-
)l4 of the United States towards the Empire of ChinH
Tiroduced the most satisfactory results. The treaty of
observed of the 18th of June, 1858, has been faithfully
the Bth by by the Chinese authorities. The convention of
the November, 1858, supplementary to this treaty, for
eeZiustnaent and satisfaction of the claims of our citi-
v4 Chiu referred to /ay Amt Azaial Dicostip,