The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-10

| the admitted law OF nauOnS, anu ITO cou"
try has deeper interest in maintaining it
than the United States. Our commerce
spreads over every sea and visits every
cline. and our ministers and consus are
appointed 10 protect the interests OF that
commerce. as well as In guard the peace |
of the country and maintain the honor OF
its flag. But how can they discharge
these duties unless they be themselves pro-
tec,ed; and. if protected. it must be by the
laws OF the country in which they reside.
And what is due to our own public iunc-
tonarips residing in foreign nations is ex
actly the measure OF what is due to the
func,ionares of other governments resid-
ing here. As in war tho bearers OF flags
of truce are sacred, or else wars would be
interminable. so in peace. ambassadors,
public ministers and consuls, charged with
friendly national intercourse are c'.''cts OF
especial respect and protection. each ac.
cording to the rights belonging to his rank
and station. In view Of these important
. principles. it is with deep modification and
regret announce to you that dnring the
excitemen, growing out Of the executions
at Havana. the office of her Catholic ma
{ jcstv's consul, at New Orleans. was aSsail.
, ed by mob. his property destroyed. and
the Spanish flag found in the office carried
off and torn to pieces. and he himself in.
duced to flee for his personal safety. which
t he supposed TO be in danger. On rec"iv.
ing 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 pecnniary
loss sustained by the consul, with the in
. tention of laying them before you. that you
:, might make provision for such indemnity
: to him. as Just regard for the honor Of the
. nation and the respect which is due to a
friendly power might in your Judgment
e seem to require. The correspondence up.
n on this subject between the Secretary of
f State and her Catholic ma jesty's minister
K. plenipotentiary is herewith transmitted.
. The occurrence at New Orleans has led
'. me to give my attention 10 the state OF our
e laws in regard to foreign ambassadors.
v ministers. and consuls. think the legis-
e laton OF the country is deficient in not pro.
h vidng sufficiently either for the protection
!. or the punishment Of consuls. ! therefore
J. recommend the subject to the consdera.
7. ton of Congress.
4 Your attention is again invited n the
i question of reciprocal trade between the
q United States and Canada and other Brit
ish possessions near our frontier. Over
. lures for convention upon this subject
. have been received from her Britannia Maj
:. estys Ministers Plenipoten;iary. but il
a seems to be in MANY respects preferable
- that the matter should be regulated by re-
:. ciprocal 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
. arrangement upon this subject shall not he
q made.
. From the accompanying copy of a note
Is from the British Legation at Washington
r. and the reply of the Department of State
}. thereto, it will appear that her Britannia
\ Maiesty's government is desrous that a
!. part of the boundary line between Oregon
. and the British possessions should be an
# thorta'ively marked out, and that an inten
IS ton was expressed to apply to Congress
for an appropriation to delray the expense
i thereof on the part of the United States
% Your attention 10 this subject is according
n ly invited and proper appropriation rec
commended.
~ A convention for the adjustment o
II claims of citizens OF the United States
Il against Portugal has been concluded. an'
=. the ratfcatiors have been exchanged -
~ =. The first nstallmen, Of the amount to b.
u paid by Portugal fell due on the 3Oth o
IL September last. and has been paid
m;s m The President of the French Republic
10 according to the provisions ofthe conven
- ton, has been selected as arbiter in thu
If case of the General Armstrong; and ha
1 signifed that he accept the trust and tn
= high satisfaction he feels in acting as th
70 common friend Of two nations, with whicl
4. France was united by sentiments oi SINGER
9, and lasting amity.
:. The Turkish government has expressed
,, its thanks for the kind reception given II
of the Sultan's agent. Amin Bey, on the oc
IN casion OF his recent visit 10 the United
- :. States. On the 28th Of February last ,
-. - despatch was addressed by the Secretar,
-, of State to Mr. Marsh. the American Minis
" y ter at Constantnople. inslructng him II
- ask Of the Turkish Government permis
= sion for the IIungarians then imprisoned
- within the dominions Of the Sublime Porte
Al to remove to this country. On the Sd o
q March last both Houses of Congress pass
70 ed resolution requesting the President t.
.. authorize the employment OF public yes
re sci to convey to this country Louis Kos
nc nc suth and his associates in captivity.
40 The instruction above referred to wa
o, complied with and the Turkish Govern
D. ment having released Governor kossutl
q. and his companions from prison. on tn
" 10Th of September last they embarked OF
ns board of the United States steam-rigat