Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-12-27


ed was promptly restored, and the circunstan-
ces Of the case are nov about to undergo lnvesti-
CATION before judicial tribunal. L would res
pectfuy suggest, tha: although the crime charged
10 have been committed in this case, is held odI
Gus as being in conflict with our opinions on the
subject of national sovereignty and personal free
DOM there IS no prohibition of it, or punishment
for it. provided in any act Of Congress. The ex-
pediency of supplying this defect in our criminal
code is therefore recommended TO your considera-
tion.
have scrupulously avoided any interference
in the wars and contentious which have recently
distracted Europe. 1
During the late conflict between Austria and
Hungary. there seemed to be prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation
However faint that prospect at the time appeared,
/ thought it my duty. in accordance with the gen.
eral sentiment of the American people, who deep
ly sympathized with the Magyar patriots, to stand
prepared, upon the contingency of the establish
ment by her of permanent government, to be the
first 10 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 recognise her inde-
pendence, in the event OF her ability to sustain it.
The powerful Intervention Of Russia, in the con-
test, extinguished the hopes of the struggling
Magyars. 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 sufferings Of brave people. who had
made gallant though unsuccessful effort to be
free. 4
Our claims upon Portugal have been, during
the past year, prosecuted with renewed vigor; and
it has been my object to employ every effort Of
honorable diplomacy TO procure their adjustment.
Our late Charge d'Affairs at Lisbon. the Hon.
George w. Hopkins, made able and energetic,
but unsuccessful efforts to settle these unpleasant
\ o1Gz H.. o,@.,,
for the wrongs which were the subjects of COM
plant Our present Charge d'Affars at that
court will also, bring to the prosecution of these
claims ability and zeal. The revolutionary and
distracted condition of Portugal, in past times,
has been represented as one Of the leading causes
of her delay in indemnifying our suffering citi-
zens. But must now say it is matter Of pro-
found regret that these claims have not yet been
settled. The omission of Portugal to do justice
to the American claiments has now assumed
character so grave and serious, that shall short
ly make 1t the subject of special message to
Congress, with view to such ultimate action as
its wisdom and patriotism may suggest.
With Russia, Austria Prussia, Sweden, Den
mark, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Italian
States, we still maintain our accustomed amica-
bic relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal
States, our Charge d Affairs at Rome has been
unable TO present his letter of credence, 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 expedeni to
give him any instructions on the subject OF pre-
sentng his credential letter different from those
with which he had been furnished by the late ad- =
mnstraton, until the 25th of June last; when, in
consequence OF the want of accurate information
of the exact state of things al that distance from
US, he was instructed to exercise his own dlscre
tion in presenting himself to the then existing
government, if, in his judgment, sufficiently sta
BILE; if not, 10 await further events. Since that
period, Rome has undergone another revolution
and he abides the establishment Of government
sufficiently permanent to justify him in opening
diplomatic intercourse with it.
With the republic of Mexico, it is our true pol
icy 10 cultivate the most friendly relations. Since
the ratification of the treaty of Guadalupe Hldal-
go, nothing has occurred of serious character 10
disturb them. faithful observance of the trea-
ty, and 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 the Sth OF Feb
ruaIy last, communicating. in compliance with
resolution OF that body, copy of paper called
protocol, signed at Quereiaro on the 30th of May,
lS46, by the commissioners of the United States
and the minister of foreign affairs of the Mexican
government, having been subject of correspon-
dence between the Department OF State and the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PIenpoientia-
ry of that republic accredited to this government,
transcript of that correspondence is herewith
submitted
The Commissioners on the part Of The Uni
ted States for marking The boundary between
The two republics, though delayed in reaching
San Diego by unforeseen obstacles, arrived al
thai place wi'kin short period after the time
required by The treaty, and was there joined by
the commissioner on the part of Mexico. They
entered upon their duties and, at the date of
the lales. intelligence from that quarter, some
progress had been made in The survey. The
expenses incident 10 The organization of the
commission, and TO lis conveyance TO he point
where It's operations were 10 begin, have so
much reduced the fund appropriated by Con-
gress, that further sum, 10 cover The charges
which must be incurred during the presen. fis-
cal year, will be necessary. The grea, length
OF frontier along which tho boundary extends,
The nature Of the adjacent territory, aud ahe diff
Gully of obtaining supplies, except a, or near
the extremes Of The line, render il also lndls-
pensable that liberal provision should be made
TO meet the necessary charges during The fiscal
year ending on The 30h Of June, 1851. ac-
cordIngIy recommend this subject TO your al
tention.
In The adjustment Of the claims of American
citizens on Mexico, provided for by the Ia'e
he IF