Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

nounced as not being entitled to the protection OF
any Government, no interference shall take place
with the lawful commerce of any nation
In addition to the correspondence on this sub
feet, herewith submitted, official information has
been received at the Department of State, of as
surances by the French Government that in the
orders given to the French naval forces, they
were expressly instructed, in any operations they
might engage in, to respect the flag of the United
States wherever it might appear, and to commit no
act OF hostility upon any vessel or armament under
its protection.
Ministers and consuls of foreign nations are the
means and agents of communication between us
and those nations and it is of the utmost impor-
tance that, while residing in the country, they
should feel perfect security SO long they faith
fully discharge their respective duties and are
guilty of no violation of our laws. This is the ad-
mitted law of nations, and no country has deep
er interest in maintaining it than the United
States.
Our commerce spreads over every sea and Wis
its every cline, and our ministers and consuls are
appointed to protect the interests of that COM
merce, as well as to guard the peace of the coun-
try and maintain the honor ofits flag. But how can
they discharge these duties unless they be them
selves protected and if protected, it must be by
the laws of the country in which they reside
And what is due to our public functionaries
residing in foreign nations is exactly the measure
of what is due to the functonares of other govern
ments residing here. AS in war the bearers of
flags of truce sacred, else wars would be in
terminabe, SO in peace, ambassadors, public min
listers, and consuls, charged with friendly nation
al intercourse, are objects of especial respect and
protection, each according to the rights belong
ing to his rank and station.
In view of these important principles, it is with
deep modification and regret | announce to you
that, during the excitement growing out of the
executions at Havana, the Office of her Catholic
maiesty's consul at New Orleans was assailed by
mob, his property destroyed, the Spanish flag
found in the Office carried off and torn in pieces,
and he himself induced to flee for his personal
safety, which he supposed to be in danger. On
receiving intelligence of these events, forthwith
directed the attorney of the United States residing
at New Orleans to inquire into the facts and the
extent of the pecunary loss sustained by the con-
sui, with the intention of laying them before you,
that you might make provision for such indemnity
to him a just regard for the honor ofthe nation
and the respect which is due to a friendly power,
mightin your judgement to require. The
correspondence upon this subject between the Sec
retary of State and her Catholic maesty's minister
plenipotentiary is herewith transmitted
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to
give my attention to the state of our laws in re-
gdTu 10 foreign enDdSSauOFS, ministers ana cOnSuS.
think the legislation of the country is deficient in
not providing sufficiently either for the protection
a. the punishment of consuls. | therefore re-
commend the subject to the consideration of Con-
gress.
Your attention is again invited to the question
of reciprocal trade between the United States and
Canada and other British possessions near our
frontier. Overtures for a convention upon this
subject have been received from her Britanic
Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, but it seems
to be in many respects preferable that the matter
should be regulated by reciprocal legislation
Documents are laid before you showing the terms
which the British government is willing to offer,
and the measures which it may adopt, if some ar
rangement upon this subject shall not be made.
From the accompanying copy of note from the
British Legation at Washington and the reply of
the Department of State thereto it will appear that
her Brttanic Majesty's government is desirous
that a part of the boundary line between Oregon
and the British possessions should be authorita-
lively marked out, and that an intention was ex
pressed to apply to Congress for an appropriation
to defray the expense thereof on the part of the
United States Your attention to this subject is
accordingly invited, and a proper appropriation
A convention for the adjustment of claims of
citizens ofthe United States against Portugal has
been concluded, and the ratifcatons have been ex-
changed. The first instalment of the amount to
be paid by Portugal fell due on the 3Oth hf Sept.
last and has been paid
The President of the French republic, accord
ing to the provisions of the convention, has been
selected as arbiter in the case of the Gen. Arm
strong and has sgnifed that he accepts the trust
and the high satisfaction he feels in acting the
common friend of two nations, with which France
is united by sentiments of sincere and lasting
amity.
The Turkish government has expressed its
thanks for the kind reception given to the Sultan's
agent, Amin Bey, on the occasion of his recent
visit to the United States. On the 28th of Febru-
ary last despatch was addressed by the Secretary
of State to Mr.. Marsh, the American Minister at
Constantinople, nstructng him to ask of the Tur
kish government permission for the Hungarians,
then imprisoned within the dominions of the Sub
lime Porte, to remove to this country. On the Sd
of March last both Houses of Congress passed
resolution requesting the President to authorize
the employment of public vessel to convey to this
country Louis kossuth and his associates in cap
tivity.
The instruction above referred to was complied
with, and the Turkish government having releas-
ed Governor Kossuth and his companions from
prison, on the 10th September last, they embark
ed on board of the United States steam frigate
Mississippi, which was selected to carry into effect
the resolution of Congress. Governor Kossuth
left the Mississippi at Gibrata for the purpose of
making visit to England, and may shortly be
expected in New York. By communications to
the Department of State he has expressed his CRATE
ful acknowledgements for the interpostion of this
Government in behalf of himself and his associates
This countrv has iuStlx baen regarded as a sa afe