The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-11


cede to just peace.
After the adjournment of the last session
of Congress, events trnnspred in the prose-
cution of the war which, in my Judgment, re-
quired greater number of troops in the field
than had been anticipated. The strength of
the army was accordingly increased by sac
cepting" the services ofthe volunteer forces
authorized by the act ofthe thirteenth of May,
1916, without putting the construction on
that act,the correctness Of which was serious
ly questioned.
The volunteer forces now in the field, with
those which had been accepted" 10 "servc
for twelve months" and were discharged at
the end of their term Of service, exhaust the
fifty thousand men authorized by that act
Had 1t been clear thata proper construction
of the act warranted it, the service ofan nd
ditional number would have been called for
and accepted: but doubts existing upon this
pointthe power was not exercised.
1t is deemed important that Congress
should, ut an early period of their session,
confer the authority to raise an additional
regular force to serve during the war with
Mexico, and to be discharged upon the con-
clusion and ratification of n treaty ofpeace.-
invite the attention of Congress 10 the views
presented by the Secretary of War in his re-
port upon the subject
RECOMMEND also, that authority he given
by law to call forth and accept the services
of an additional number of volunteers, to be
exercised at such time and to such extent as
the emergencies Of the service may require.
In prosecuting the war with Mexico. whilst
the utmost care has been taken TO avoid CIV
cry just cause of complaint on the part of
neutral nations, and none has been given, lib
eral privileges have been granted to their
commerce in the port of the enemy ia our
military occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian govern
ment, which mt one time threatened to inter
rupt the friendly relations between the two
countries, will, | trust, be speedily adjusted.
T. have received information that an envoy eX-
traordinary and minister pleuipotontiary to
the L. s. will shortly he appointed by bis inn
perial Muicsiyyaud it is hoped that Inc will
come instructed and prepared TO adjust all
remaining differences between the two gov
crnments in manner acceptable 10 both. In
the meantime, have every reason 10 believe
that nothing will occur to interrupt our ann
cable relations with Brazil.
! 1t has been my constant effort 10 maintain
aud cultivate the most intimate relations of
friendship with all the independent Powers
of South America; and this policy Inns been
attended with the happiest results. 1t is true,
that the settlement and payment of many
/ int Claims ofAmericHn citizens against these
nations nave been long delayed. The pecul.
lar position in which they have been placed
and the desire on the part Ct my predecess-
ors, as well as myself, 10 grant them the Ut,
most indulgence, have hitherto prevented
these claims from being urged in a manm2I
demanded by strict justice. The time has
arrved.whe they ought finally to be adjusted
and liqudated, and efforts are now making
for that purpose.
1t is proper to inform you that the govern
mcnt of Peru has in good faith paid the two
first instruments ofthe indemnify of $4,000
each, and the greater portion of the interest
due thereon, in the execution ofthe conven-
ton between that government and the Unit
ed States, the ratifcations of which were eX-
changed ut Lima on the 3lst of October, lS46
The Attorney General ofthe United States
early in August last, completed the adjudica-
ton of the claims under this convention, and
made his report thereon, in pursuance of the
act fthe Sth of August, 1876. The sums to
which the claimants are respectively entitled
will be paid on demand at the treasury
invite the early attention of Congress 10
| the present condition of our citizens in Chi
ma. Under our treaty with that power, A
mcrcan citizens are Withdrawn, from the
jurisdiction, whether civil or criminal, of the
Chinese Government, and placed under that
Of our public funclionaries in that country
By these alone can our citizens be tried and
punished for the commission of any crime;by
these alone can questions be decided between
them, involving the rights of person and
property; and by these alone can contracts be
enforced, into which they may have entered
with the citizens or subjects of foreign pow
ers.
The merchant vessels of the United States
| lying in the waters of the five ports of Chi
ma open TO foreign commerce are under the
exclusive jurisdiction of officers of their own
government. Until Congress shall establish
competent tribunals to try and punish crimes,
and to exercise Jurisdiction in civil cases in
China, American citizens there are subject TO
no law whatever. Grimes may be commit
ted with impunty, and debts may be con-
| tracted without any means to enforce their
payment. Inconveniencies have already re-
suited from the omission of Congress to
legsate upon the subj ect, and still greater
are apprehended.
The British authorities in China have al
ready complained that this government has
not provided for the punishment of crimes
or the enforcement ofcontracts against A
merican citizens in that country. Whilst
their government has established tribunals
by which an American citizen can recover
debts due from British subjects.
Accustomed as the Chinese are to summa-
ry Justice, they could not be made to compre-
bend why criminals who are citizens of the
United States should escape with impunity,
ill violation oftreaty obligations, whilst the
punishment ola Chinese, who had commit
ted any crime against an American citizen
would be vigorously eXacted. Indeed the
consequences might be fatal to American cit
liens i'll China, should a fragrant crime be
committed by any one of them upon Chi
nese, and should trial and punishment not fol-
| low according 10 the acquisitions ofthe treaty.