Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-10

rCnnti,,,1ed from first page. ]

been clear that proper construction of the
act warranted il, the services of an additional
number would have been called for and &C
cepted; hut doubts existing upon this point,
the power was not exercised.
1t is deemed important that Congress
should, ar an early period of theII session,
confer the authority to raise an additional reg
ularf force to serve during the war with Mexi-
CO, and to be discharged upon the conclusion
and ratification of treaty Of peace. invite
the attention of Congress to the views pre-
scented by the Secretary of War in his report
upon this subject.
recommend, also, that authority be given
by law to call for and except the services
ut an additional number Of volunteers, TO be
exercised at such time and to such extent
as the emergencies of the service may re-
quire.
In PROSECUTING the war with Mexico, whilst
the utmost care has been taken to avoid every
Just cause of complaint on the part Of neutral
nations, and none has been given, liberal
privileges have been granted to their com.
merce in the ports of the enemy in our miliss
tary occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian govern
ment, which at one time threatened TO inter-
rupt the friendly relations between the two
countries, will, trust, be speedily adjusted
o have received information that an envoy ex-
traordinary and minister penipotentiary TO the
United States will shortly be appointed by his
Imperial Majesty and it is hoped that he will
come instructed and prepared to adjust all re-
naming differences between the two govern
ments IN manner acceptable and honorable
to both. In the meantime, have every rea-
son TO believe that nothing will occur to inter-
rupt our amcable relations with Brazil.
1t has been my constant effort to maintain
and cultivate the most intimate relations Of
friendship with all the independent Powers
Of South America; and this policy has been
attended with the happest results. 1t is true,
that the settlement and payment Of many just
claims of American citizens against these ma
tions have been long delayed. The peculiar
position in which they have been placed, and
the desire on the part Of my predecessors, as
we'll as myself, to grant them the utmost indul-
gence, have hitherto prevented these claims
from being urged in a manner demanded by
strict Justice. The time has arrived when they
ought 10 be finally adjusted and liquidated,
and efforts are now making for that purpose.
II is proper 10 inform you that the govern
ment OF Peru has in good faith paid the first
two instalments of the indemnify of thirty
thousand dollars each, and the greater por-
ton of the interest due thereon, in execution
of the convention between that government
and the United States, the ratifcations of
which were exchanged at Lima on the thirty
first of October, 1916. The Attorney General
of the United States, early in August last,
completed the adjudication of the claims under
this convention, and made his report thereon,
in pursuance of the act of the eighth of Aug
ust, 1916. The sums in which the claimants
l. 1
mand at the treasury.
invite the early attention Of Congress to
the present condition of our citizens in China
Under our treaty with that power, American
citizens are withdrawn from the jurisdiction
whether civil or criminal, of the Chinese gov.
eminent and placed under that of our public
tunctlonarles in that country. By these alone
can our citizens be tried and punished for the
commission of any crime; by these alone car
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 citi.
Zens or subjects of foreign powers. The mer-
chant vessels of the United States living in the
waters of the five ports of China open to for
eign commerce are under the exclusive iuris-
diCtiOn of officers of their own government
Until Congress shall establish competent tri-
bunals 10 try and punish crimes, and TO exer-
else jurisdiction in civil cases in China, Anne.
mean citizens there are subject to no law
whatever. Crimes may be committed with
lmPunlty, land debts may be contracted with
out the means to enforce their payment. In
conVenlences have already resulted from the
omission OF Congress 10 legislate upon the
subject, and still greater are apprehended-
The British authorities in China have already
complained that this government has not pro.
3vIded Tor the punishment of crimes, or the en-
torcement OF contracts against American Citi.
Zens IN that country, whilst their governmer
has established tribunals by which an Ameri.
can citizen can recover debts due from British
subjects.
Accustomed as the Chinese are to summary
justice, they could not be made to comprehend
why criminals who are citizens of the United
States should escape with impunity, in viola
ton OF treaty obligations, whilst the punish
ment OF Chinese, who had committed any
crime against an American citizen, would be
vigorously exacted Indeed the consequence.
might be fatal TO American citizens in China
should fragrant crime be committed by any
one OF them upon Chinese, and should tria
and punishment not follow according to thu
acquisitions Ofthe treaty. Ths.might disturb
If not destroy, our friendly relations with tina
empire, and cause ad interruption of our val
liable commence
OuE treaties with the Sublime Porte, Tr
poll Tunis, Morocco. and Muscat. also re.
qulre the Legislation of Congress to carry
them into execution, though the necessity
lor Immediate action may not be so urgent
as in regard to China.
The Secretary of State has submitted ar
estimate to defray the expenses of opening
diplomatic relations with the Papal States
The interesting political events now in pro
gress III these States, as we'll as a lust re-
gard to our commercial interests, have. il
my opinion, rendered such measure high
~ eXpedient.
Estimates have also been submitted fol
the outfits and salaries of charges d'afIaire.
to the republics of Bolivia, Guatemala, anC
Ecuador. The manifest Importance O.
cultivating the most friendly relations with
all the independent States upon this CONT
nent has induced me TO recommend appro
PrlatiOns necessary for the maintenance o
these missions.
| recommend to Congress that an appro
PrIatlon be made, to be paid to the SpaniSl
government for the purpose of distribution
among the claimants in the 'Amistad case.
entertain the conviction that this is due t.
SPAN under the treaty of the twentieth o
OcteDef, 1873; and, moreover. that, from
me earnest manner in which the claim con
tnucs to be urged, so long as if shall re
main unsettled, it will be source of irr;t,
ton and dlSCOrd between the two co,,,,+r;