Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-01-03

the leading causes of her delay in indemnifyng
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 character so grave and serious, that
shall shortly make it the subject of special
message to Congress, with view to such ulti-
mate action as its wisdqn and patriotism may
suggest
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Den
mark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Italian
States, we still maintain our accustomed amicable
relations.
During the recent revolutions IN the Papal
States, our Charge d Affaires 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 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 inforina-
ton OF the exact state of things, at that distance
from us, he was instructed to exercise his own
discretion in presenting himself to the then ex-
isting government, if, in his judgment, sufficient
ly stable; or iftnot, to await further events
Since that period, Rome has undergone anoth-
er revolution, and he abides the establishment of
a government sufficiently permanent to justify
him in opening diplomatic intercourse with it.
Wi the Republic of Mexico, it is our true
policy to cultivate the most friendly relations
Since the ratification of the treaty of Guadalupe
Ilidalgo nothing has occurred of a serious char
acter to disturb them. A faithful observance of
the treaty, and a sincere respect for her rights,
onn fail TO- tbol ooEl
friendship of that republic. The message of my
predecessor to the House of Representatives, of
the nth of February last, communicating, in COM
pllance with resolution of that body, copy OF
a paper called protocol, signed at Queretaro on
the Both of May, l848, by the commissioners OF
the United States and the minister of Foreign
Affairs OF the Mexican government, having been
a subject of correspondence between the Depart
ment OF State and the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentary 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
telllgence from that quarter, some progress had
been made in the survey. The expenses incident
to the organization of the commission, and to its
conveyance to the point where its operations we're
10 begin, have so much reduced the fund appro-
pr ated by Congress- that further sum- to cover
the charges which must be incurred during the
present fiscal year, will be necessary. The
great length ofirontier 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 nds-
pensable that liberal provision should be made
to meet the necessary charges during the fiscal
year ending on the Both of June. 1851. accord
ngly 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, on the part of the
Government, may become important for the pur-
pose of assisting the commissioners in protecting
the interests of the United States l recommend
this subiect te early and f1Ivefable censidera-
tloAAf Congress.
Complaints have been made in regard to the
ineffclency of the means provided by the govern
ment of New Grenada for transporting the Uni
ted States mail across the lsthmus of Panama,
pursuant to our Postal convention with that re-
public of the 9th of March, 1874. Our Charge
d'Affaires at liogota has been directed to make
such representations to the government of New
Grenada as will, it is hoped, lead to a prompt re-
moval 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 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 ut Caracas have, hith-
erto, Intellectually urged upon the attention of that
government.
The extension of the coast of the United States
on the lfic, and the unexampled rapidity with
which the inhabitants OF California, especially, are
increasing in numbers, have impaired new conse-
ouence to our relations with the other countries
whose territories border upon that ocean. 1t is
prob tbe that the intercourse between those coun-
tries and our possessions in that quarter, partcu-
larry with the Republic of Chill, will become ex-
tensive and mutually advantageous in proportion
as California and Oregon shall increase in popuo
laton 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 pow
er to which, as their natural ally and friend, they
will always be disposed first to look for media
ton and assistance, in the event Of any collision
between them and any European nation. AS
such we may often kindly mediate in their be-
half, without entangling ourselves in foreign wars
or unnecessary controversies. Whenever the
faith of our treaties with any of them shall re-
quire our interference we must necessarily inter
pose.
A convention has been negotiated with Brazil,
providing for the satisfaction of American -
on that government, and it will be submitte4
the Senate. Since the last session of Congress-,
we have received an Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiay from that Empire, and
our relations with it are founded upon the most
amicable understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an a.
mendlnent Of our existing laws relating to the
African slave trade, with view to the effectual
suppression of that barbarous traffic. 1t is not to
be denied, that this trade is still, in part, carried
on by means of vessels built in the United States,
and owned or navigated by some of our citizens.
! The correspondence between the Department of
State and the Minister and Consul of the u
nited States at Rio de Janeiro which has from time
to time been laid before Congress, represents that
it is a customary device to eyade the penalties of
our laws BY means of sea-letters. Vessels sold
in Brazil, when provided with such papers by the
Consul, instead of returning to the United States
for new register, proceed, at once, to the coast
Of Africa, for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of
slaves Much additional information, of the same
character, has recently been transmitted TO the
Department of State. 1t has not been considered
the policy of our laws to subject an American cit
zen, who, in foreign country, purchases YES
sci built in the United States, to the inconven-
fence of sending her home for new register, be-
fore permitting her to proceed on voyage. Any