Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1853-12-15

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ties on the subject, to extend the rights of our
fishermen beyond the limits fixed by the Con-
vention of 1918, and TO regulate trade between
the United States and the British North Amer
ican Provinces, a negotiation has been opened,
with fair prospect of favorable result. To
protect our fishermen in the enjoyment ofther
rights, and prevent collision between them and
British fishermen, | deemed it expedient to sta
ton a naval force in that quarter during the
fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen be-
tween the two governments in regard to Cen
tral America. Great Britain has proposed to
settle them by an amicablc arrangement, and
our Minister at London is instructed to enter
into negotiations on that subject
A commission for adjusting the claims of our
citizens against Great Britain, and those of
British subjects against the United States, Or
ganizcd under the Conventional the Sth of Feb
ruary last, is now sitting in London for the
transaction of business.
| 1t is in many respects desirable that the
boundary line between the United States and
the British Provinces in the northwest, as de-
signacd in the Convention Of the 18th of June,
1916, and especially that part which separates
the Territory Of Washington from the British
| 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 extensive com
mcrcc between the United States and that coun-
try might, it is conceived, be released from
some unnecessary restrictions, to the mutual
advantage of both parties. With aview to this
object, some progress has been made in ncgo-
tiating treaty Of commerce and navigation.
independently of our valuable trade with
Spain, we have important political relations with
her, growing out Of our ncghborhood to the
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. am happy
to announce, that since the last Congress no at
tcmpts have been made, by unauthorized eXpi-
ditions within the United States, against either
of those colonies. Should any movement be
manifested within our limits, all the means at
my command will be vigorously cxcrtcd to re-
press it. Several annoying occurrences have
taken place at Havana, or in the vicinity of the
island of Cuba, between our citizcas and the
Spanish authorities. Considering the proXmi-
tv of that island to our horcs,-lving asst docs,
in the track of trade between some Of our
principal ctcs,-and the suspicious vigilance
with which foreign intercourse, particularly
with the United States, is there guarded, a rep
etion of such occurrences may we'll be appre-
hcndcd As no diplomatic intercourse is al
lowed between our consul at Havana and the
Captain.General Of Cuba ready explanations
ho ,,,o1o mt roIrocr ofI,,r,oI
where injury has resulted. All complaint on
the part Of our citizens, under the present ar
rangcmcnt, must be, in the first place, present
ed to this government, and then referred TO
Spain Spain again refers it to her local au-
thortIcs in Cuba for investigation, and post
pones an answer till she has heard from those
authorities. To avoid these irritating and vcX-
atious delays, proposition has been made to
provide for direct appeal for redress to the
Captain General by our consul, in behalf ofour
injured fcIIow-ctizcns. Hitherto, the govern
mcnt of Spain has declined to enter into any
such arrangements This course on her part
is deeply regretted ; for, without some arrange
mcnt of this kind, the good understanding be-
tween the two countries may be exposed to
occasional interruption. Our Minister at Mad
rid is instructed to renew the proposition,
and TO press it again upon the consdcra-
ton of her Catholic Mojes,y's government
For several years Spain has been calling
the attention Of this government TO a claim for
losses, by some of her subjects, in the case Of
the schooner AmiStad. This claim is believed
to rest Oh the obligations imposed by our exist
ing treaty with that country. It's justice was
admitted in our diplomatic correspondence
with the Spanish govcnment,as early as March
lS47; and one Of my predecessors, in his an
nual message Of that year, recommended that
provision should be made for its payment. In
January last, it was again submitted to Con-
gross by the Executive. 1t has received IA
voablc consideration by committees Of both
branches, but as yet there has hecn no final
action upon it. | conceive that good faith re-
quires its prompt adjustment, and prcscnttto
your early and favorable consideration.
Martin Koszta, Hungarian by birth, came to
this country in 1850, and declared his intention
in due form Of law to become a citizen of the
United States. After remaining here nearly
two years, he visited Turkey. While at Smyr-
na lie was forcibIy seized. taken on board an
Austrian brig Of war, then ying in the harbor
of that place, and there confined in irons, with
the avowed design to take him into the domn-
ions Of Austria. Our consul at Smyrna and
legation at Constantinople interposcd for his re-
lease, but their efforts were Intellectual. While
thus imprisoned Commander lngrahom, with
the United States ship Of war st. Louis, ar
rived at Smyrna, and, after inqurIng INTO the
circumstances of the case, came to the conclu-
sion that Koszta was entitled to the protection
Of this government, and took energetic and
prompt measures for his release Under an
arrangement between the agents of the United
States and Of Austria, he was transferred to the
custody of the French Consul General, at
SMYRNA, there to remain until he should be
disposed of by the mutual agreement of the
Consus Of the respective governments at that
place. Pursuant TO that agreement, he has
been released, and is now on his way to the
United States. The Emperor of Austria has