The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-15


of the treaty; and an arrangement, similar to
that regarding British fish has been made for
duties now chargable on the products of
those provinces enumerated in the same free
list, and introduced therefrom into the United
States; proposition for refunding which will,
| in my judgment, be in like manner entitled to
your favorable consideration.
There is difference of opinion between
the United States and Great Britain as to the
boundary line of the Territory of Washington
adjoining the British possessions on the Pa
cfc, which has already led to difficulties on
the part of the citizens and local authorities
of the two governments. | recommend that
provision be made for a commission, to be
joined by one on the part of her Britannia
Majesty, for the purpose of running and es-
tablishing the line in controversy. Certain
stipulatons of the third and fourth articles of
the treaty concluded by the United States
and Great Britain in 1916, regarding posses.
sorry rights of the Hudson's Bay Company,
and property of the Puget's Sound AgricuI-
tural Company, have given rise to serious
disputes, and = 3 important to all concerned,
that summary means of settling them AMIGA
/ bly, should be devised. have reason TO be-
lItht Ot llhuC VI Juob
terms, for the extinguishment of the rights in
| question, embracing, also, the right of the
! Hudson's Bay Company 10 the navigation of
the river Columbia; and therefore suggest
to your consideration, the expediency of
making contingent appropriation for that
purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally of
the U. States in their struggle for independ-
ence. From that time, to the present, with
occasional slight interruptions, cordial rea-
tions of friendship have existed between the
Governments and the people of the two coun-
tries The kindly sentiments, cherished alike
by both nations, have led to extensive social
and commercial intercourse, which, trust,
will not be interrupted or checked by any
casual event of an apparently unsatisfactory
character The French consul at San Fran
cisco was, not long since, brought into the
United States District Court at that place, by
compulsory process, as witness in favor of
another foreign consul, in violation, as the
French Government conceives, of his privi-
leges under our consular convention with
France. There being nothing in the transac-
ton which could imply any disrespect to
France or its consul, such explanation has
been made, as nope will be satisfactory
Subsequently, misunderstanding arose on the
subject of the French Government having, as
it appeared, abruptly excluded the American
Minister to Spain from passing through France,
on his way from London to Madrid. But
that Government has unequivocally disavow-
ed any design to deny the right of transit to
the Minister of the United States; and, after
explanation to this effect he resumed his jour-
ney, and has actually returned through France
to Spain. l herewith lay before Congress
the correspondence on this subject between
our Envoy at Paris, and the Minister of
Foreign Relations of the French Govern
ment.
The position of our affairs with Spain re-
mains as at the close of your last session.
Internal agitation, assuming very nearly the
character of political revelation, has recently
convulsed that country. The late ministers
were violently expelled from power, land men,
of very different views in relation to its in
ternal affairs, have succeeded. Since this
change, there has been no propitious opportu-
nifty to resume, and press on negotiations for
the adjustment of serious questions of diff
Guilty between the Spanish government and
the United States. There is reason to be-
lieve that our minister will find the present
government more iavorably inclined than the
preceding one TO comply with our just de-
mands and to make suitable arrangements
for restoring harmony, and preserving peace,
between the two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark to
discontinue the practice of levying tolls on
our vessels and cargoes passing through the
Sound. do not doubt that we can obtain
ayap inn from n tnr nf 81,
1t is admitted on all hands, that this exacton
is sanctioned, not by the general principles of
the law of nations, but only by special con-
ventions, which most of the commercial ma
tions have entered into with Denmark. The
fifth article of our treaty of 1926, with Dem
mark, provides, that there shall not be paid,
on the vessels of the United States and their
cargoes when passing through the Sound,
higher duties than those of the most favored
nations This may be regarded as an implied
agreement to submit to the tolls during the
continuance of the treaty, and, consequently,
may embarrass the assertion of our right to
be released therefrom. There are also other
provisions in the treaty which ought to be
modified Ii was to remain in force ten years,
and until one year after either party should
give notice to the other of intention to ter
inmate it. ! deem it expedient that the con-
templated notice should be given to the gov
ernment Of Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about
two years since for the purpose of establish
ing relations with the empire of Japan, has
been ably and skilfully conducted to n sue.
cessfu termination by the officer to whom it
was entrusted. A treaty, opening certain of
the ports of that populous country, has been
negotiated; and in order to give full effect
thereto, il only remains to exchange ratifca-
tons, and adopt requisite commercial regula-
tions.
The treaty lately concluded between the
United States and Mexico settled some of
our most embarrassing difficulties with that
country, but numerous claims upon it for
wrongs and injuries to our citizens remained
unadjusted, and many new cases have been
recently added to the former list of griev-
ances. Our legation has been earnest in its
endeavors to obtain from the Mexican gov
ernment, favorable consideration of these
claims, but hitherto without success. This |
failure is, probably, in some measure to be
ascribed to the disturbed condition of that
country.
1t has been my anxious desire to maintain |
friendly relations with the Mexican republic,
and to cause its rights and territories to be
respected, not only by our citizens, but by
foreigners, who have resorted TO the United |
States for the purpose of organizing exped-
tions against some of the States OF that Re |
public. The defenceless condition in which |
its frontiers have been left has stimulated |
lawless adventurers to embark in these enter |
Ia, Ito.