Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-15


Oar relations with Russia are Ofthc most e,ahlc
character. Respect for that empire, and coui-
dence in IFS friendship towards the United States,
have been 80 long cniartained on our part, and so
carefully cherished by the present Emperor and his
lllustriods predecessor, 10 have become ncor-
poratcd with the public sentiment OF the United
States. No means will be left unemployed on my
part TO promote these saluary feelings, aud those
npro yenents of which the commercial intercourse
between the two countries is susceptible, and
which have derived increased importance iron our
treaty with the Sublime Porte.
/ sincerely regret to inform you that
our Minister cOmmIssi Ont d to that court
on whose distinguished talents and great
experience in public affairs ! placed great
reliance, has been compelled by extreme
indispostion to exercise privilege,
which, in consideration of the extent to
which his constitution had been impaired
i'll the public service, was committed TO
his discretion, of leaving temporarily his
post fer the advantage of more genial
climate.
If as it is TO be hoped, the improve
mcnt of his health will be such as to us
fy him in doing so, he will repair to St.
Pctcrsburgh, 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 will be preserved from prejudice,
( by the intercourse which he will continue
through the Secretary Of Legation, with
the itussian cabinet.
! You are appriscd, 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 $65O,000 are
secured to our citizens as an indemnity
for spoIiations upon their commerce in
the years 1903, 1909, 1910, 1871. 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 adjustment, that its terms are in con-
formity with the previously asccnalncd
views of the claimants themselves; thus
removing all pretencc for a future agita-
ton of the subject in any form.
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 arc of a charac-
ter to promise favorable results. Our
country, by the blessing of God, IS not in
situation to invite aggression; and 1t
will be our fault if she ever becomes so.
Sincerely dcsirCus 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 justicc; holding our
selves ever ready to do unto them as we
would wish to be done by; and avoiding
even the appearance OF undue partlailly
to any nation, it 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.
Ofthe points referred to, the most pro-
minent are, our claims upon France Tor
spoliations upon our commerce; similar
claims upon Spain, together with cmbar-
rassmcnts in the commercial intercourse
between the two countries, which ought
to be removed; the conclusion OF the trca-
ty of commerce and navigation with
Mexico, which has been 50 long IN sus-
pensc, as well as the final settlement OF
limits between ourselves and that rcpub-
lie; and, finally, the arbitramcm OF the
question between the United States and
Great Britain, in regard TO the northeas-
tern boundary.
4 The negotiation with France has been
conducted by our minister with zeal ana
ability, and in all respects to my cniirc
satisfaction. Although the prospect ol
a favorable termination was occasionally
dmmed by counter prctcnslons, to when
the United States could not assent, he
yet had strong hopes of being able to ar
rive at satisfactory settlement with the
late government. The negotiation has
been renewed with the present authorl-
tics; and, sensible of the general and
lively confidence of our citizens IN the
Justice and magnanimity of rcgcncratcd
France, regret the more not to have 1t
in my power, yet, to announce The result
so confidently anticipated. No ground,
however, inconsistent with this eNpccta-
ton, 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
unsatsicd, and thor incontrovcrtiblc
Justice, make an earnest prosecution OF
them by this government an urgent duty.
Tho illcgaliiy of the seizures and conils-
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