Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16


leges have been granted to their commerce in
the ports OF the enemy In our military occupa-
ton.
The difficulty with the Brazilian government,
which at one time threatened to interrupt the
friendly relations between the two countries,
WILL ] trust, be speedily adjusted. have re-
ceived information that an envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipOtentiary to the u. States
will shortly be appointed by his Imperial Majes-
ty, and it is hoped that he will come instructed
and prepared to adjust all remaining differences
between the two governments in a manner &C.
ceptable and honorable to both In the mean
time, have every reason to believe that MOTH
lng will occur TO prevent our amicable relations
with Brazil.
1t has been my constant effort to maintain and
cultivate the most intimate relations of friend
ship with all the independent Powers of South
America; and this policy has been attended with
the happiest results. 1t is true, that the settle.
mept and payment ofmany just claims of Amer
lean citizens against these nations have been
long DELAYED.
The peculiar position in which they have
been placed, and the desire On the part of my
predecessors as well as myself to grant them
the utmost indulgence, have hitherto prevented
these claims from being Urged lii manner
demanded by strict justice. The time has ar
rived when they ought to be finally adjusted and
liquidated, and efforts are now making for that
purpose.
1t is proper to ifiform you that the government
of Peru has in good faith paid the first two in
stAlments of the indemnity of thirty thousand
dollars each, and the greater portion of the in
terest due thereon, in execution of the conven
tion between that government and the United
States, the rati6cations ofwhch were exchanged
at Lima on the 3lst of Octber, 1916. The At
tofney General of the United States. early in
August last, completed the adjudication of the
claims under the convention, and made this re-
port thereon, in pursuance of the act of the
eighth of August, 1916. Fhe sums TO which
the claimants are respectfully entitled will be
paid OH demand at the treasury
invite the early attention of Congress to the
present condition of our citizens in China Un-
der our treaty with that power, American citi-
zens are Withdrawn from the jurisdiction, Wheth-
er civil or criminal, of the Chinese government
and placed under that of our public functionafes
in that country. By these alone can otir citizens
be tried and punished for the commission Of any
crime;by these alone can questions be decided oe.
tween 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 powers
The merchant vessels of the United States w.
ing in the waters of the FIVE ports of China open
to foreign commerce are under the exclusive
jurisdiction OF officers of their own government
Until Congress shall establish competent tribu-
nails to try and punish crimes, and to exercise
jurisdiction in civil cases in China. American
citizens there are subject to no law whatever.
Crimes may be committed with impunity, and
debts may be contracted without any means TO
enforce their payment. Inconveniences have
already resulted from the omission of Congress
to legfs1ate upon, the subject, and still greater
are apprehended. The British authorities in
China have already complained that this gov
ernment has not provided for the punishment of
crimes, or the enforcement of contracts against
American 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 Chinse are 10 summary
justice, they could not be made to comprehend
why criminals who are citizens of the u. States
should escape with impunty, in violation of
treaty obligations, whilst the punishment Of a
Chinese, who had committed any crime against
an American citizen, would be rigorously e3-
acted. Indeed, the consequences might be fa-
tai to American citizens in China, should fla
grant crime be committed by any one IF them
upon a Chinese, and should trial and punish
ment not follow according to the reouisiiions ofI
the treaty. This might disturb, if not destroy.
our friendly relations with that empire, and
cause an interruption Of our valuable commerce.
Our treaties with the Sublime Porte, Tripoli.
Tunis, Morocco, and Muscat, also require the
legislation of Congress to carry them into exe-
cution, though the necessity for Immediate ac.
ton may not be SO Urgent as in regard to China.
The Secretary Of State has submitted an es
innate to defray the expense of opening diplo. !
matte relations with the Papal States The in
teresting political events now in progress in
these States, as we'll as just regard to our
interests, have, in my opinion, rem
dered such a measure highly expedient.
Estimates have also been submitted FOR the |
outfits and salaries of charges d'affairs to the
republics of Bolivia. Guatemala, and Eucador
The manifest Importance of cul.ivatinp the most
friendly relations with all the independe Mt States
lpon this continent has induced me to recon.
mend appropriations necessary for the mainte-
nance of these missions.
recommend to Congress that An appropria.
ion be made, to be paid to the Spanish govern.
nent for the purpose of distribution among the
claimants in the Amistad case' | entertain
he conviction that this is due to Spain under
he treaty of the Goth of Oct 1895; and, more
,ver, that, from the earnest manner in which
he claim continues TO be urged, so long as it
shall remain unsettled, it will be source of ir-
-itation and discord between the two countries.
which may prove highly preudicial to the in.