The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-12-16

fy him in doing SO, he will repair TO St. |
Petersburgh, and resume the discharge
Of his official duties. ] have received
the most satisfactory assurance that in
the mean time, the public interest in that
quarter'wifi &c preserved from prejudice, |
by the intercourse which he will continue
through the Secretary of Legation, with
the Russian Cabinet.
You are apprised, although the fact
has not yet been officially announced to
the House of representatives, that a
treaty was, in the month of March last,
concluded between the United States
and Denmark, by which S650,O0O are
secured to our citizens as an indemnity
! for spoliations upon their commerce in,
the years 1903, 1909, 1910, 13l1.. This
treaty was sanctioned by the Senate at
the close Of its last session, and it now
becomes the duty Of Congress to pass
the necessary laws for the organization
of the Board of Commissioners to dis
tribute the indemnity amongst the claim
ants. 1t is an agreeable circumstance IN
this adjysi,,pent, that its terms are in con-
formity Y'"pD! i.e previously ascertained
views 6f the claimants themselves; thus
removing all pretence for a future agita-
ton Of the subject in any form.
4 The negotiations in regard to points
in our foreign relations as'remain to be
adjusted, have been actively prosecuted
during the recess. Material advances
have been made, which are ola charac-
ter to promise favorable results. Our
country, by the blessing of God, is not in
a situation to invite aggression; and 1t
will be our fdult if she ever becomes so.
, Sincerely desirous to cultivate the most
liberal and friendly relations with all; /;
, ever ready TO fulfil our engagements with
scrupulous fidelity; limiting our demands
upon others to mere justice; holding our
selves eyerready to do unto them as we
r would wish to be done by; and avoiding
| even the.oppearance of undue partiality
to any nation, 1t appears to me impossible
that simple and sincere application OF
our principles to our foreign relations,
can fail to place them ultimately upon
the footing in which it was our wish they
should rest.
Oftho points referred to, the most pro-
minent are, our claims upon France for
! spoliatlons upon our commerce.; similar
, claims upon Spain, together with embar-
, rassmcnts in the commercial intercourse
: between the two countries, which ought
: to be removed; the conclusion ofthe trea-
, ty of commerce and navigation with
Mexico, which has been so long in sus-
pense, as well as the final settlement OF
limits between ourselves and that repub-
I lie; and finally, the arbitrament of the
question between mo United States and
Great Britain, in regard to the northeas-
tern boundary.
r The negotiation with Francs has been
conducted by our minister with zeal and
ability, and in all respects to my entire
: satisfaction. Although the prospect OF
a favorable termination was occasionally
$ dimmed by counter pretensions, to which
e the United States could not assent, he
!, , yet had strong hopes of being able to ar
!, rive at a satisfactory settlement with the
, late government. The negotiation has
, been renewed with the present authori-
ties; and, sensible of the general and
Y lively confidence of our citizens in the
Justice and magnanlmity of regenerated
France, regret the more not to have ii
In my-power, yet, to announce the result
: so confidently anticipated No ground,
{ however, inconsistent with this expecta-
: iion, has been taken; and do not allow
myself to doubt that justice will soon be
done to US. The amount of the claims.
the length OF time they have remained
; unsatisiied, and their incontrovertiblc
: justice, make an earnest prosecution of
them by this government an urgent duty.
The illegality of the seizures and confis-
cations out ofwhich they have arisen, is
not disputed; and whatever distinctions
may have heretofore been set up with
regard to the liability of the existing gov
ornment, it is quite clear that such con-
sideratlons cannot now be interposed.
The commercial intercourse between
the two countries is susceptible of highly
advantageous improvements; but the
sense drhis injury has had, and must
continue to have, a very unfavorable in
huence upon them. From its satisfacto-
ry adjustment, nor only firm and cor
dial friendship, but progressive deve-
lopcmcnt of all their relations, may be
expected. Ii is, therefore, my earnest
hope that this old and vexatious subject of
difference may be speedily removed
L feel that my confidence in our an
A peal to the motives which should govern
a Just and magnanimous nation, is alike
warranted by the character olthe French
people, and by the high voucher we pos
sess for the enlarged views and pure in
tegrity ofthe monarch who now presiJes