The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-12-14

eastern coast, as to exclude our citizens
from some of the fishing grounds, tc
which they freely resorted for nearly q
quarter of u century subsequent to the
date of that treaty. The United State,
have never acquicsccd in this constiuc
ton, but have always claimed for theil
fishermen all the rights which they had
so long enjoyed without mocstation
With a view to remove all difficulties or
the subject, to extend the rights of oul
fishermen beyond the limits fixed by the
convention of 1918. and to regulate
trade between the United States aud
the British North American provinces,
a negotiation has been opened with a
fair prospect of favorable result
To protect our fishermen in the en-
joymcnt of their rights, and to prevent
collisions between them aud the British
fishermen, | deemed it cxpcdient to sta.
ton naval force in that quarter during
the fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also ar
isen between the two governments in re-
gard to Central America. Great Brit
ain has proposed to settle them by an
amicable arrangement, and our minis
ter at London is instructed to enter in
to negotiations on that subject
a commission for adjusting the claims
of our citizens against treat Britain, and
those of British subjects the United
States, organized under the convention
of the Sth of February last, is now sit
ting in London for the transaction of
business.
1t is in many respects desirable that
the boundary line between the United
States aud the British provinces in the
northwest, as designated in the conven-
ton Of the 9TH of June. 1916, and es-
pccally that part, which separates the
Territory of Washington from the Brit
ISL possessions on the north, should be
traced and marked. ] therefore present
the subject to your notice.
With France our relations continue
on the most friendly footing. The cx.
.ensive commerce between the United
States and that country might, it is con-
ccivcd, be released from some unncces-
sary restrictions, to the mutual advan-
tagc Of both parties. With view to
this object, some progress has been made
iii negotiating a treaty Of commerce and
nav CATION.
Independently of our valuable trade
with Spain We have important political
relations with her, growing out Of our
ncighborhoo1 to the Islands Of Cuba and
Porto Rico. | am happy to announce
that since the last Congress no attempts
have been made by Unauthorized expo
ditlons within the United Statosngainst
either Of those colonies. Should any
movement be manifested within our linn
its, all the means at my command will
be vigorously used to rcpcl it.
Several annoying occurrences have ia
ken place at Havana, or in the vicinity
of the Island of Cuba. between our citi.
zcns aud the Spanish authorities Con-
sidering the proximity OF that Island
to our shorcs-lying as it does, in the
track of trade between some Of our prin-
cipal citics--and the suspicious vigilance
with which foreign Intercourse, particu.
larly with the United States, is there
guarded. u repetition of such occurrcn-
ces may well be apprehcndcd As no
diplomatic intercourse is allowed between
our Consul at Havana and the Captain
General of Cuba, ready explanations
cannot be made, or prompt redress af-
fordcd where injury has resulted
All complaint OH the part of our citi
xcns, under the present arrangement,
must be. in the first place, presented to
this government, and then referred to
Spain, Spain again refers it to her local
authorities in Cuba for investigation.
and postponcs an answer till she has
heard from those authorities To a.
void these irritating and vexatious de-
lays, a proposition has been made to
provide for direct appeal for redress
to the Captain General by our Consul,
in behalf of our injured fellow citizens.
Hitherto, the government of Spain has
declined to enter into any such arrange
ment This course, on her part, is deep.
ly regretted; for without some arrange.
ment of this kind, the good understand
ing between the two countries may be
exposed to occasional interruption.
Our Minister at Madrid is instructed
to renew the proposition. and to press it
again upon the consideration other Cath
Ole Majcsty's Government.
For several years Spain has been cal.
ling the attention Of this government to
claim for losses, by some of her sub.
in ln
tad. This claim is believed to rest Oh
the obligations imposed by our existing
treaty with that country. Its justice
was admitted. in our diplomatic cores
pondence with the Spanish government
as early as March, ls47 and one of
my predecessors, in his annual message
OF that year. recommended that provis
ion should be- made for its payment. In
January last it wax again submitted to
Congress by the Executive. 1t has re.
cevcd favorable considcrati N By com.
mittees Of both branches. and as yet
there has been no final action upon it
| conceive that good faith requires its
prompt adjustment, aud | present it to
yonr early aud favorable consideration
Martin kozsta, Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1850, and de-
clared his intention, in due form of law,
TO become citizen of the United States
After remaining here nearly two years
he visited Turkey. While at Smyrna.
he was forcibly seized, taken on board
an Austrian brig Of war, then lying in
the harbor of that place, aud there con.
fined in irons, with the avowed design to
take him into tho dnminions of Aus,.;.