The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-22

10 the custody of the French Consul General at |
Smyrna, there to remain until he should be dis !
posed OF by the mutual agreement of the consuls !
of the respective governnents, at that place /
Prsuas, TO that agreem -nt he mas been released,
and is now on his way to the United States.A
The Emperor of Austria has made the conduct
of officers who took part in the transaction,
subject of grave complaint, regarding Koszta as
still his subject, and claiming right to seize
him within the limits OF the Turkish Empire, and
has demanded of this government its consent to
the surrender of the prisoner anil disavowal OF
the act, of its agents, and satisfaction for the al
legged outrage. After careful consideration OF
the case, | came 10 the conclusion that kosZfa
was seized without legal authority at Smyrna,
that he was wrongiuliy detained on board the
Austrian brig of war; that at the time of his SCI
cure he was clothed with. the nationality Of the
United States, and that the acts of our officers
under the circumstances Of the case were iustiti-
able and their conduct has been fully approved
by me, and a compliance with the several de-
mands Of the Emperor Of Austria has been de-
clined. For more fall account of this transac-
ton and my views in relation to it, refer you to
the correspondence between rhe Charge d'Af-
fares of Austria, and the Secretary oil State,
which is herewith transmitted. The principle,
and policy therein expressed on the part OF the
United States, will, whenever the proper occa-
sion occurs, be applied and enforced.
The condition OF China at this time renders il
probable that more important changes will occur
IN that vast Empire, which Will lead 10 more
unrestricted IN ercourse with it. The Commits
sioner TO that country who has been recently APP
pointed is instructed 70 avail himself Of all oc-
casons 70 open and extend our commercial rela-
lions not only with the Empire of China, but
with other Asiatic nations.
Ia 1852 An expedition was sent to Japan under
the command of Commodore Perry, for the pu--
pose of opening commercial intercourse with that
Einpite. Intelligence has been received of his
arrival there, and OF his having made known to
the Emperor Of Japan the object of his visit. bat
it is not yet ascc tanned how far the Emperor will
ba disposed 10 abandon his restrictive policy and
open that popuous country to q commercial III
tercourse with the United States.
lthas been my earnest desire TO maintain friend
ly intercourse with the governments upon this
continent, and to old them in preserving u good
understanding among themselves.
With Mexico dispute has arisen as to the true
boundary between the Territory of New Mexico
and the Mexican State OF Chihuahua. 4 former
Commissioner, pursuant TO the treaty Of Gauda-
lope HidalSo male serious mistake in determin
ing the initial point of the Rio Grande, but mas
much as his decision was clearly a departure
from the directions for tracing the boundary con-
tanned in that treaty, and was concuvred in by the
surveyor appoiaed on the part of the United
States, whose concurrence was necessary 10 give
validity 20 that decision, this government is not
concluded thereby. But that Of Mexico takes a
different view of the subject. There are also 9th
er question: of considerable magnitude, pending
between the two Republics. Oar Minister in
Mexico has ample instructions to Just them
Negotiations have been opened, but sufficient
progress has not been made therein to enable me
to speak OF the probable result. Impressed " ith
the importance OF maintaining amicabie relations
with that Republic and yielding with iiberaity to
all just claims, it is reasonable to expect that an
arrangement mutually satisfactory to both conn
tries may be concluded and lasting friendship
between them confirmed and perpetuated.
Congress having provided for full mission 10
the States of Central America. a Minister was
sent thiher, in July last. As yet he has had tine
20 visit only one of these States, Nicaragua
here he was received in the most friendly man
ner. II is hoped that his presence and good Off
ces will have benign effect in compromising the
dssensions which prevail among them, in estab-
fishing still more intimate and frenlly relations
between them respectively and between them and
the United States.
Considering the vast regions of this continent
which would be made accessible by the free navi-
CATION OF the river Amazon, particular attention
has been given to the subio Brazil, through
whose territory il runs into the ocean, has hi,h-
erto persisted in policy so restrictive in rec ard
to the use OF the river as 10 ebstruct and nearly
exclude foreign commercial intercourse with the
states which lie upon its tributaries and upper
branches. Orr Minister to that country is in
structed 10 obtain relax alton Of that policy and
to use his Efforts to induce the Brazi government
10 open TO commerce, under proper saiegual ds,
this great natura! highway for international trade
Several OF the South American States are deeply
interested in this attempt TO secure the free na,-
CATION Of the Amazon, and it is reasonable to ey-
pect their cooperation IN the measure as the adj
yantages Of free commercial intercourse amorr
nations are better understood. More liberal
views are generally entertained as to the common
rights OF all to the free use of the means which
nature has provided for international commun-
cation. To these more liberal and enlightened
views It is hoped that Brazil will conform in her
policy and remove all unnecessary restrictions
upon the free use of a river which traverses 50
many states ana SO large portion Of the CONT
nent.
am happy to inform you that the republic of
Paraguay and the Argentine Confederation have
yielded TO liberal views aud policy, though still
INSTRUCTED by Brazil in the regard to narigable
rivers within their respective territories. Trea
ties, embracing this subject among others. have
been negotiate. with these governments. which
will be submitted to the Senate at the present
session.
A new branch Of commerce, important to the
agricultural interest Of the u. S. has. within a
withstanding the inexhaustible deposits of cuano
upon the islands of that country, considerable
difficulties have been encountered in securing a
more abundant importation Of the article I'm
fortunately, there has been serious collision be-
tween our citizens who have resorted to the
Chincha islands for it and the Peruvian auikori-
ties stationed there. Redress far the outragss
committed by the latter was promptly demanded
by our Minister at Lima. This subject is now
under consideration. and there is reason TO be-
lleye that Peru is disposed to accede adequate
redress to the aggreved parties.
We are thus not only at peace with all foreign
countries, but in regard to political Affairs are
exempt from any cause of serious disquctude in
our domestic relations. The controversies whic.
have agita,ed the country heretofore are passing
away with the causes which provoked them, and
the passions which they have awakened A.; or if
any trace of them remain, it may be reasonably
hoped that it will quickly be perceived in The
Jealous rivalry of all good citizens TO testify
their respect for the rights the states, their de-
votion to the Union and their common determj
nation that each one of the states lis sti,;o,e