Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-03
sEx DOLhAEs PER YEAR


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 perfect security so long as they
faithfully discharge tLeir respective duties and
are guilty Of no violation Of our laws This is
the admitted law of nations, and no country has
deeper interest in maintaining it than the United
states. Our commerce spreads over ever sea
and visits every cline, and our ministers and con-
slls are appointed to protect the interests Of that
commerce, as well as to guard the peace of the
country and maintain the honor Of its flag But
how can they discharge these duties unless thew
be themselves protectcd and, if protected, it
must be by the laws Of the country in which
they reside And what is due to orr own nub-
lie functonaries residing in foreign nations is ex-
actly the measure of what is due to the function
aries of other governments residing here. AS in
war the bearers of the flags of truce are sacred,
or else wars would be interminablo so in 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 important principles
1t is with deep modification and regret | an
nounce to you that during the excitement grow
ing out Of the executions at Havana, the office Of
her Catholic Majesty's consul at New Orleans
was assailed by a mob, his property destroyed,
the Spanish flag found in the office carried of and
for his personal safety, which he supposed to he
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 to him as Just re-
gard for the honor of the nation and the respect
which is due to a friendly power might, in your
judgment, seem to require. The correspondence
upon this subject between the Secretary of State
and her Catholic majesty's minister plenipotenti-
airy is herewith transmitted. .
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to
give my attention TO the state Of our laws in re-
gard to foreign ambassadors, ministers, and con-
suIs I think the legislation of the country is
deficient in not providing sufficiently either for
the protection or punishment Of consuls. [
therefore recommend the subject to the consider
alton Of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the question
of reciprocal trade between the United States
and Canada and other British possessions near
our frontier. Oyertures for a conversation upon
this subject have been received from her Britannia
Nlajesty's Minister Penipotentiary, but it seems
to be in many respects preferable that the mat.
ter seould be regulated by reciprocal legislation
Documdnts are laid before you showing the terms
which the British government is willing TO offer,
and the measures which it may adopt if somo
made.
From the accompanying copy Of q note FROM
the British Legation at Washington, and the. re-
ply of the Depal tment of State thereto it will
appear that her Britannia AIajesty's government
is desirous that part Of the boundary line be-
TWEEN Oregon and the British possessions should
be authoritatively mark out, and that an inten-
ton was expressed 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 pro-
per appropriation recommended.s
A convention for the adjustment Of claims of
citizens of the United States against Portuga l
has been concluded, and the notifications have
been exchanged. The first instalment of the
amount to be paid by Portugal fell due on the
Both of September 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 ofthe General Arm
strong; and has signifed that he accepts tho
trust and the high satisfaction he feels in acting
as the common friend of two nations, with wi ich
France is united by sentiments of sincere ard
lasting amity
The Turkish government has expressed its
thanks for the kind reception given to the Sui
tan S agent, Amin Bey, on the occasion of his
recent visit to the United States. On the 28th
of February last despatch was addressed by
the Secretary of State to Mr.. Marsh the Amer-
Call IlHlStoT aC COHStalunOple, lnStruCJng MN
to ask of the Turkish government permission for
the Hungarians, then imprisoned within the do
mlnons Of the Sublime Porte, to remove to this
country. On the Sd of March last both Houses
of Congress passed resolution requesting tho
President to authorize the employment of a pub
lie vessel to convey to this country Louis Kos
suth and his associates in captivity.
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 of September last they en-
barked on board of the United States fri
gate Mississippi, which was selected to carry in
to effect the resolution of Congress. Governor
Kossuthlcft the Mississippi at Gibraltar, for the
purpose of making visit to England, and NAV
shortly be expected in New York BY commG-
ncations to the Department of State he has ex-
pressed his grateful Acknowledgements for the in
terposition of this Government in behalf of him
self and his associates. This country has been
Justly regarded as a safe asylum for those whom
political events have eXiled from their own homes
in Europe; and it is recommended to Congress to
consider in what manner Governor Kossuth and
his companions, brought hither by It's authority,
shall be received and treated.
1t is earnestly to be hoped that the differences
which have for some time past been pending be-
tween the government Of the French republic
and that of the Sandwich Islands, may be peace
ably and durably adjusted, so as to secure the
of those islands. Long before the
events which have of late impaired so much inn
portance to the possessions of the United States
on the Pacific, we acknowledged the independ-
ence of the Hawaiian government. This Govern
ment was first in taking that step, and several Of
the leading powers of Europe Immediately follow
ed We were influenced in this measure hy the
existing and prospective Importance Of the islands
as place of refuge and refresAtent for cur YES
sells engaged in the whale fishery, and by the
Il at they lie in the course of the