The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-24

vices Of all the Volunteer forces author.
lied by the act of the 18th of May, 1886
without putting a construction on that
act, the correctness Of which was serious
ty questioned. The volunteer forces now
in The feld, with those which add been
accepted, to serve twelve months, and
were discharged at the end of their terms
of service, exhausts the ffty thousand men
authorized THAT act. Had it been clear
that proper construction Of the act war>
rantcd the services Of an addition num-
Der, they would have been called, and ac.
ccpted; but doubts existing upon this
point, The power was not exercised.
/ is deemed important that Congress
shonld, at an early period of their session,
confer authority to raise an additional
regular force to serve during the war with
Mexico, aud to be discharged upon the
conclusion and ratification Of treaty Of
peace. ! invite the attention of Congress
to the views presented by the Secretary
Hof War, in his report upon this subject
recommend that authority be given, by
law, to call for and accept an additional
number of volunteers, to bs exercised at
such times, and to such an extent, as the
emergency may require.
In prosecuting the war with Mexico,
whilet the utmost care has been taken 10
avoid every just cause Of complaint, on the
part ofnentral nations, and none has been
given, liberal privileges have been grant
ed to their commerce in the ports of the
enemy in our military occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian goy-
/ ernment, which, at that time, threatened
to interrupt the friendly relations be-
| tween the two countries, will, | trust, be
! speedily adjusted. have received infor-
nation that minister extraordinary and
| and pienipotenliarY has been appointed
4 BY his Imperial Majesiyi and it is hoped
he will come, prepared to adjust all res
manning differences between the two gov
erpments, in manner acceptable and
! honorable TO both. Ia the meantime l
have every reason TO believe that nothing
will occur to interrupt cur amicable re-
lations with brazil. u
Fl has be On my constant fort to main-
tain and cultivate the most Intimate res
i8tious Of friend ship with all the indepen-
eot powers of South Americai and this
4 policy has been attended With the happi-
est resuIts. IL is true that the seltle-
ments and payment of many just claims
Fagafrst these nations has long been delay
ed. The peculiar position 10 which they
have been placed, and the desire on the
part of my predecessor. as well as myself,
10 grant them the utmost indulgence, has
| hitherto prevented these claims from be-
ing urged in manner strict jnstice de-
mands, The time has arrived when they
ought 70 be finally adjusted, liqudated,
and enforced; aud efforts are now making
for that purpose.
II proper to inform you that the govern-
ment of Peru has, in good faith paid the
| first instalments ofthe indemnity of thirty
thonsand dollars each, and the greater
| portion Of the Interest due thereon, in ex-
eeuton Of the Convention between that
gorerninenl and the United States, the rat
Fifcatipns'of which were exchanged at Lii
ma on fhe 81 OF October 1916. The Attor-
hey General Of the Uaited States, early in
August last, completed the adjudication
Of the claims uuder convention, and made
| his report thereon, in pursuance of the
act Of the 7th Of August, 1916 The sums
to which the claimants are respectively
entitled win be paid, on demand, at the
Treasury. .-..,a,
| invite The early attention OF c ongress
to the present condition Of our citizens
in China Under our treaty with that
power, American citizens are Withdraw
from the Jurisdiction, whether civil or
criminal of the Chinese Government
and placed under that ofour public fumes
tiouries in that coantry--for by these
alone can opt citizens be tried and pun
ished for the commission OF any crime
By these alone can questions be decided
between them, involving the rights ofper-
son aud property and by these alone can
contracts be enforced, iuto which they
may have entered, with the citizens or
subjects offoreign powers. The merchant
vessels OF the Uaited States, lying in the
waters oflhe FIVE ports Of China, open to
foreign commerce ,sre under the exclusive
Jurisdiction Of officers of their own gov.
ernment. Until Congress shall establish
competent tribunals, TO try aud punish
crimes, aod TO exercise jurisdiction IN
China, American citizens there are sho-
iect to no law wha,sver-and crimes may
be committed wish imPnniiy; and debts 5
without any means.to enforce
their payment. lncourenlences have all
ready resulted from the omission OF Con-
gress to legislate upon the subject and j
still gTeater are,apprehended. The British J