The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-27

shall remain on the statute books, hold
it to be the duty of the Executive, faithfully
to obey its injunctons. While this expe-
dition was in progress, l am informed that
q foreigner who claimed our protection, and
had been clandestinely, as, was supposed,
carried off in vessel from New Orleans TO
the Island of Cuba. Immediately caused
such steps to be taken as thought necessa-
ry in the case, if the information had
should prove correct, to vindicate
the honor of our country to person seek
ing an asylum OH our soil, and the protec-
ton Of our laws. The person alluded to hav.
ing been abducted, was promptly restored,
and the circumstances Of the case are now
about to undergo investigation before ju-
dicial tribunal.
would respectfully suggest that, although
the crime charged to have been committed
in this case. is held odious, and in conflict
with our opinions OIL the subject of national
sovereignty and personal free dom, there is
no prohibition of it, or punishment for it
expediency of supplying this defect in our
to your consideration.
have scrupulously avoided an interfer-
ence in the wars and contentious which
have recently disturbed Europe: During
the late conflict between Austria and Hun.
gary, there seemed to be prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation.
However faint the prospect atthe time, ap.
peared, l thought it my duty, in accordance
with the general sentiment Oft American
people, who deeply sympathise with the
Magyar patriots, to stand prepared, upon
the contingency of the establishment, by
her, of a 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 pendence, in the event
of her ability to sustain it. The powerful
Intervention of Russia in the contest extin-
gushed the hopes of the struggling May
CARS. The United States did not, at any
time interfere in the contest, but the feel.
ings Of the nation were strongly enlisted in
the cause and for the snfferings Of brave
people, who had made gallant, though un-
successful eflor: to be free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been,
during the past year, prosecuted with re-
newed vigor. AS it has been my object to
employ every effort of honorable diplomacy
to procure their adjustment, our Charge
d'Affairs at Lisbon, George w. Hopkins,
made able and energetic efforts to settle
these unpleasant matters of controversy,
and to obtain indemnity for the wrongs
which were the subjects of complaint. Our
present Charge d'Affaires will also bring to
the prosecution Of these claims ability and
zeal.
The revolutionary and distracted condi.
ton of Portugal in past times has been full
ly represented as one Of the leading causes
of her delay, in indemnifying our suffering
citizens, but l must now say it is a matter
of profound regret, that their claims have
not yet been settled. The omission of Portu-
gal to do justice to the American claimants,
has now assumed a character so grave and
serious, that shall shortly make it the sub.
ject of special message to Congress, with
a view to such ultimate action, as its wis
dom and patriotism may suggest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden,
Denmark, Belgian, The Netherlands, and
the Italian States, we still maintain our &C.
customed amicable relations. During the
recent revolutions Of the Papal States our
Charge d'Affaires, at Rome, has been un-
able 10 present bis letters of credence, which,
indeed, 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 instruc.
lions on the subject Of presenting his ere
dental letters, different from those which he
had been furnished by the late Administra-
ton, until the Goth of June last, when in
consequence of the most accurate informa-
ton of the exact state of things at the dis
lance, he was instructed to exercise his
own discretion in presenting himself to the
| I'll IN s,,l
ment, sufficiently stable, or if MOTTO wait for
further events. Since that period Rome has
undergone another revolution, and decides
the stability of the government to become
sufficiently permanent to justify him In
opening diplomatic intercourse with it.
With the government of Mexico it is our
true policy to hold the most friendly rela.
ton, and since the ratification of the treaty
of Gaudaloupe lgo, nothing has oc.
e the eay asna reea2S
her rights cannot fail 10 secure the lasting
confidence and friendship of the Republic
| The Message of my predecessor to the
House of Representatives, the 9th of Feb
ruary last, communicating, in compliance
with resolution of that body, paper call
ed the Protocol, signed at Querretaro, or
the Both Of May, l848, by the Commission
ers Of the United States, and the Minister O
Foreign Affairs of the Government of Mexi
CO, having the subject of correspondence
between the Department Of State and the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
Tertiary of the Republic, accredited to this
government. A transcript of that cores
pondence is herewith submitted. The Com
missioners on the part of the United
States for marking the boundary between
these two Republics, though detained
in reaching San Diego by unforeseen OBJ
stacles, have arrived at that place within
a short period of the time required by
the treaty, and was there joined by tn.
Commissioners on the part of Mexico. They
entered upon their duties. aud at the date o
the latest intelligence from that quarter
some progress had been made in the survey
The expenses incident to the organization
of the Commission and its conveyance t.
the point where its operations were to begin
have so much reduced the fund appropri
ated by Congress, that further sum, t
cover the charges to be incurred during
the present fiscal year, will be necessary