Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08

already enjoyed by US, although II
was TO abide certain acts OF legislation
not yet fully performed. So soon as II
was ratified, Grist Britain opened to our
commerce the free navigation OF the riv-
er 81. Lawrence and to our fishermen
unmolested access TO the shores and
bays, from which they had been exclud-
ell, on the oasts OF her North American
provinces; la return for which she asked
for the Introduction. free Of duty. into
the ports OF the United States Of the
fish caught on the same coast by British
fishermen. This being the compensa-
ton, stipulated In the treaty, for priv.
leges oft highest Importance and val
ue 10 the people Of the United States.
which were thus voluntarily yielded be-
fore u became effective, the request
seemed TO me to be a reasonable one, but
Il could not be acceded to, for want Of
authority to suspend our laws lmposing
duties upon all foreign fish.
In the meantime. the Treasury De.
partment issuep regulation, for ascer-
tanning the duties paid or secured by
bonds on hsh caught on the coasts OF
the British provinces, and brought 10
our markets BY Baitish subjects, after
fhe fishing grounds had been made fully
accessible TO the citizons of the United
States. recommend to- your favorable
consideration q proposition which will
be submitted 10 you, for authority TO re-
fund the duties and cancel the bonds
thus received. The provinces Of Cana
da and New Brunswick have also antici-
pated the full operation OF the treaty. by
legislative arrangements. respectively
10 admit, free OF duty, the products Of
the United States mentioned in the free
list Of the treaty; and an arrangement
similar tothat regarding British fish, has
been made for dutlcs now chargeable on
the products OF those enumerated in the
same free lis.. and introduced therefrom
into the United States; a proposition for
refundingwhch will, in my opinlon, be
In like manner entitled to your favorable
consideration.
There is difference Of opinion be-
tween the u. s. and Great Britain, as
to the boundary line Of the Territory
of Washington adjoining the British
possessions on the Pacific. which has
already led to difficulties on thepart 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
Briitanic Majesty. for the purpose Of
running and establishing the line in
controversy. Certain sipulations OF
the third and fourth articles of the
treaty concluded by the U. S. and
Great Britain in 1916, regarding pos
sessory rights of the Hudson Bay Co.,
and property Of the Puget Sound Ag-
ricultursl Company, have given rise
TO serious disputes, and it's important
to all..concerned, that summary means
of settling them amicably should be
devised. | have reason TO believe that
an arrangement can be made, en- just
terms, for the extinguishment Of the
rights in question. embracing also the
right Of the Hudson Bay Company to
the navigation Of the rive. Columbia;
and l therefore suggest to your con-
slderation, the expediency OF making
a contingent appropriation for that
purpose.
France was the early and efficient
ally Of the U. s. in their struggle for
independence. From that time to the
present, with occasional Sigh inter-
ruptions, cordial relations of friendship
have existed between the governments
and people Of the two countries
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 Francisco
was not long since brought into the
U. S. district court at that place, BY
compulsory proc ass. as a witness IN
favor Of another foreign consul, in vi
olalion, ~ the French government
conceives Of his privileges under oul
consular consular convention Will
France. There being nothing in tht
transaction which could imply any
disrespect to France or her consul
such explanation has been made as
hope viii prove satisfactory. Subse
quently. misunderstanding arose OF
the subject Of the French government
having, as j. appeared, abruptly ex
cluded the American minister 10 SPAR
from passing through France, on hi
way from London to Madrid. Blu
that government has unequiyocall]
disavowed any design TO deny the
right OF transit to the minister Of th'
U. S.; and after explanations to thi
effect. he has resumed his journey, ant
actually returned through France L
Spain. l herewith lay before Con
gress tho correspondence on this sub
iecl between our envoy at Paris, anC
the minister Of foreign relations Of tn,
French government.
The position Of our affairs viii
Spain remains as ut the close OF you
last session. Internal agitation, as
Stunning very nearly the character o
J political revolution, has recently con
. vulsed that country. The late minis
, terra were violently expelled from
, power. and men OF very diiieren
views in relation 10 its internal affairs
have succeeded. Since this change
there has been no propitious opportu
nifty to resume and press on negotia
tons for the adjustment Of serious
difficulties between Spain and tn
, u. S. Theirs is reason to suppose tina
our minister will find the prescn
government more favoIably iucline'
. than the preceding to comply with on
J just demands. and to make suitable
arrangements for restoring harmony