Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1851-12-05

uals on board, nor can there be allowed any
watch by the vessels of any foreign nation
over American vessels OH the coasts OF the
United States or the seas adjacent thereto
1t will be seen by the last communication
from the British Charge d Afaires to the
Department of State, that he is authorized to
assure the Secretary Of State that every care
will be taken that, in executing the preven-
tive measures against the expeditions, which
the United States Government itself has de-
nounced as not being entitled to the protec-
tion Of any government no interference shall
take place with the lawful commerce of any
nation.
In addition to the correspondence on this
subject. herewith submitted official inlorma-
ton has been received at the Department Of
State Of assurances by the French Govern
ment 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 hos
tilitv upon any vessel Of 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 Importance that, while residing IN the
country, they should feel a perfect security
50 long as they faithfully discharge their re
spective duties and are guilty of no violation
of our laws This is the admitted law of ma
tions. and no country has a deeper interest
in maintaining it than the United States
Our commerce spreads over every sea and
visits every cline, and our ministers and
consuls are appointed to protect the interests
of that commerce. as well rs to guard the
peace of the country and maintain the honor
of its flag. But how can they discharge these
duties unless thev be themselves protected :
and. if protected, it must be by the laws Of
the country in which they reside And what
is due to our own public functionaries resi-
ding in foreign nations is exactly the measure
Of what Is due to the functIonarlcS OF other
governments residing here. As in war, the
bearers Of flags Of truce are sacred, or else
wars would be intcrminable, so III peace
ambassadors, public ministers and consuls,
charged with friendly national intercourse,
are objects Of especial respect and protection
each according to the rights belonging to his
rank and station. IN view of these impor-
tant 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 majesty's
consul at New Orleans was assailcd by a
mob, his property destroyed. the Spanish flag
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
pecuniary loss sustained by the consul, with
the intention Of laying them before you, that
you might make provision for such indemnity
10 him as a Just regard for the honor of the
nation and the respect which IS due to Il
friendly power might, in your Judgment, seem
to require The correspondence upon this
subject between the Secretary Of State and
her Catholic maiesty's minister plcnipoten-
tiary is herewith transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me
to give my attention To the state of our laws
in regard to foreign ambassadors, ministers
and c0nsuls | think the legislation Of the
country is deficient in not providing Sutficl-
emily either for the protection or the punish
ment of consuls. | therefore recommend the
subject to the consideration of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the qucS
ton Of reciprocal trade between the United
States and Canada and other British posses
sions near our frontier. Oyertures for con
ycntion upon this subject have been received
from her Britannia Maiesty's Minister Plen-
ipotcntary but it seems to be in many re-
spects preferable that the matter should be
regulated by reciprocal legislation. Docu-
mcntS are laid before YOU showing the terms
which the British Government is willing to
offer and the measures which it may adopt,
if some arrangement 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 Britannia
Maicstys government is dcsirous that part
Of the boundary line between Oregon and the
British possessions should be authortauVely
marked out, and that an intention was cX-
pressed 10 apply to Congress for an appro-
priation to dctray the expense thereof on the
part Of the United States Your attention to
this subject is accordingly invited, and n
proper appropriation recommended.
4 convention for the adjustment Of claims
Of citizens Of the nited States against Por-
tugal has been concluded, and the ratica-
tiuns have been exchanged. The first install
mcnt Of the amount to be paid by Portugal,
fell due on the 3Oth Of September last, and
has been paid.
The President Of the French republic, ac-
cordmg to the provisions Of the convention,
has been selected as arbiter in the case Of the
btnrfal Armstrong H'u HAS 81 hlh'h lti1t
he accepts the trust and the high satisfaction
he feels in acting as the common friend OF two
nations with which France is united by SEN
timcnts of sincere and lasting amity.
The Turkish Government has expressed its
thanks for the kind reception given to the
Sultan's agent, Amin Bev, on the occasion Of
his recent visit to the United States. On the
28th of February last, Il despatch was address
sod l,- +hn Secretary of State to Mr. Marsh.
the American Minister At Constantnople,
instructin. him to ask Of the Turkish gov
crnment permission for the IIunSarians then
imprisoned within the dominions of the Sub
lime Porte, to remove 20 this country. On
.l.n 81 uf Mnr..L last Lnll lInnSes Of CON mresS