Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-27


thought it my duty in accordance with the gen.
ernl sentiment of the American people, who
deeply sympathized with the Magyar patriots, to
stand prepared, upon the contingency of the es-
Enlistment by her of permanent government, to
be the first to welcome Independent Hungary into
the family of nations. For this purpose, invested
an agent, then in Europe, with power to declare
our willingness promptly to recognize her indie
pehdence in the event of her ability TO sustain it
The powerful intervention Of Russia, in the con-
test, eXtnguished the hopes of the struggling
Mogyars The United States did not, at any
time, interfere in the contest but the feelings of
the nation were strongly enlisted in the cause,
and by the suilerings of brave people, who had
made gallant though unsuccessful effort to be
| free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been, during
the past year, prosecuted with renewed vigor,
and it has been my object to employ every effort
l of honorable diplomacy to procure their ADJUST
ment. Our late Charge d'Afaires at Lisbon,
the Hon. George w. Hopkins, made able and
energetic, but unsuccessful efforts to settle these
unpleasant matters of controversy, and to obtain
indemnity for the wrongs which were the sub
iects of complaint. Our present Charge d. AZ
flares OF that court will also, bring to the prose-
cution of these claims ability and ZEAL The
revolutionary and distracted condition of Portu-
gal, in past times, has been represented one Of
the leading causes of her delay in indemnfying
our suffering citizens But / must now say, it is
matter Of profound regret that these claims have
not yet been settled. The omission of Portugal
to do justice to the American claimants has now
assumed a character so grave and serious, that /
shall shortly make it the subject of a special
message to Congress- with Il view to such ulti-
mate action as its wisdom and patriotism may
suggest.
! With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Den
mark, Belgium the Netherlands, and the Italian
States, we still mantain our accustomed amicable
relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal
States, our Charge d. Affdires at Rome has been
unable to present his letter of crcdcnce, which,
| indeed, he was directed by my predecessor to
withhold until he should receive further orders.
Such was the unsettled condition of things in
those States, that it was not deemed eXpedient to
give him any instructions on the subject of pre-
seating his credential letter different from those
with which he had been furnished by the late
administration, until the 25th Of June last when,
in consequence of the want of accurate informa-
ton Of the exact state Of things, at that distance
from u.s. he was instructed to exercise his own
discretion in presenting himself to the then ex-
istng government, if in lis judgment, sufficient
ly stable; or if not, to await iuither events
Since that PERIOD Rome has undergone anolll-
er revolution, and he 0bdes the establishment OF
a government sufficiently permanent to justify
him in opening diplomatic Intercourse with it.
Wih the Republic of Mexico, it is our true
policy TO cultivate the most friendly relations
Since the ratification Of the treaty of Guadalupe
lldalgo, nothing has occurred Of u serious char
acter to disturb them. A faithful observance of
the treaty, and a sincere respect for her rights,
cannot fail to secure the lasting confidence and
friendship Of that republic. The message OF my
predecessor to the House of Representatives, Of
Tie eth OF February last, communicating, in COM
pliance with resolution of that body, a copy Of
paper called protocol, signed at Queretaro on
the 3Oth of May, 1913, by the commissioners of
the United States and the minister of Foreign
Affairs Of the Mexican government, having been
q sub ect of correspondence between the Depart
ment Of State and the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plempotentlary of that republic accred-
tied to this government, transcript Of that cor
respondence is herewith submitted.
The Commissioner on the part OF the United
States for marking the boundary between the two
republics, though delayed in reaching San Diego
by unforeseen obstacles, arrived at that place
within short period after the time required BY
the treaty, and was there joined by the Commits
sioner on the part Of Mexico. They entered up
on their duties and, at the date OF the latest in
telligence from that quarter some progress had
been made in the survey. The expenses incident
to the organization of the commission, and to It's
conveyance to the point where its operations were
to begin, have so much reduced the fund appro-
prated by Congress, that further sum, to cover
the charges which must be incurred during the
present fiscal year, will be necessary. The
great length of frontier along which the boundary
extends, the nature ofthe adjacent territory, and
the difficulty of obtaining supplies, except at or
near the extremes OF the line, render it also ndis-
pensable that liberal provision should be made
to meet the necessary charges during the fiscal
year ending on the 3Uth of June. 1851. accord
ingy recommend this subject to your attention.
In the adjustment of CLAIMS of the American cit
liens on Mexico, provided for by the late treaty,
the employment Of counsel, Oh the part of the
Government, may become important for the pur-
pose of assisting the commissioners i'll protecting
the interests OF the United States. recommend
this subject to the early and favorable consdera-
ton OF Congress.
Complaints have been made in regard to the
ineiiciency of the means provided by the govern
mcnt OF New Grenada for transporting the Uni
ted States mail across the lsihmus of Panama,
pursuant to our Postal convention with that re-
public, OF the 9th Of March, 1874. Our Charge
dAifaircs at liogota has been directed to make
such representations to the government Of New
Grenada as will, it is hoped, lead to prompt re-
movOl Of the cause of complaint.
The sanguinary civil war with which the Re-
public of Venezuela has for some time past been
raVaged, has been brought to a close. In its pro-
gress, the rights of some Of our citizens resident
or trading there have been violated. The restor-
alton of order will afford the Venezuelan gov
eminent an opportunity to examine and redress
these grievances and others Of longer standing,
which our representatives at Caracas have, hith-
erto, Intellectually urged upon the attention of that
| government
The extension of the coast of the United States
on the Pacific, and the unexlmpled rapidity with
which the inhabitants OF California, especially, are
increasing in numbers, have impaired new conse-
quence to our relations with the other countries
whose territories border upon that ocean. 1t is
probable that the intercourse between those coun-
tries and our possessions in that quarter, particu-
larly with the Republic Of Chill, will become ex-
tensive and mutually advantageous in proportion
as California and Oregon shall increase in popu-
lation and wealth. 1t is desirable, therefore, that
this Government should do everything in its pow
er to foster and strengthen its relations with those
States, and that the spirit Of amity between us
should be mutual and cordial.
recommend the observance of the same
course towards all other American States. The
United States stand as the great American DOW
to which, as their natural ally and friend, they
will always be disposed first to look for media
ton and assistance, i'll the event Of any collision
between them and any European nation. As
such, we may often kindly mediate in their be-
half without entanOlinp ourselves in