The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-12-14

eign consul, in violation, as the French
Government conceives, of his privileges
under our consular convention with
France. There being nothing in the
transaction which could imply any disres-
pect to France or its consul, such expla-
ton has been made, as hope will be sat.
isfactory. Subsequently, mlsunderstand-
ing arose on the subject of the French
Government having, as it appeared alb
ruptly excluded the American minister to
Spain from passing through France, on
his way from London to Madrid, But
that Government has unequivocalIy disa
vowed any design to deny the right of
transit to the minister of the United States;
and, after explanations to this effect, he
has resumed his journey, and actually
returned through France TO Spain. |
herewith lay before Congress the cores
pondence on this subject between our En-
yoy at Paris, and the minister of Foreign
Relations of the French Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain
remains as at the close of your last ses-
sion. Internal agitation, assuming very
nearly the character of political revolu.
lion, has recently convulsed that country.
The late Ministers were violently expelled
from power, and men. of very different
views in relation TO its internal affairs,
have succeeded. Since this change, there
has been no propitous opportunity to re-
sumo 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 believe that our Minister will find the
present Government more favorably in
clined than the preceding to comply with
our Just demands, and to make suitable
arrangements for restoring harmony and
preserving peace between the two coun.
tries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark
to discontinue the practice of levying
tolls on our vessels and their cargoes pass
ing through the Sound. do not doubt
that we can claim exemption therefrom a
a matter of right 1t is admitted on all
hands that this exaction is sanctioned, not
by the general princi pies of the laws of
nations, but only by special convention
which most of the commercial nations
have entered into with Denmark. The
fifth article of our treaty of 1926, with
Denmark, 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 contnu
ance of the treaty, and, consequently,
may embarrass the assertion of our right
to be released therefrom. There are al.
SO other provisions in the treaty which
ought to be modified 1t was to remain
in force for ten years, and until one year
after either party should give notice to the
other of intention to terminate it. l deem
it expedent that the contemplated notice
should be given to the government of Den
mark.
The naval expedition, dispatched about
two years since for the purpose of estab-
fishing relations with the empire of Japan,
has been ably and skilfully conducted to
a successful termination by the officer to
whom it was entrusted. A treaty, open.
ing certain Of the ports Of that populous
country, has been negotiated and in or
der to give full effect thereto, it only re.
mains to exchange ratifcations, and adopt
requisite commercial relations
The treaty lately concluded between
the United States and Mexico, settled
some of our most embarrassing difficult
ties with that country, but numerous
claims upon it for wrongs and injuries to
our citizens remained unadjusted and ma
nv new cases have been recently added
to the former list ofgrievances. urleg-
islation has been earnest in its endeavors
to obtain from the Mexican government a
favorable consideration Of these claims
but hitherto without success. This fail
ure 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 hostile expeditions
against some of the States of that Repub.
lic The defenceless condition in which
its frontiers have been left, has stimulated
lawless adventurers to embark in these
enterprises, and greatly increased the diff
fculty ofenforcing our obligations of neu-
trality. Regarding it as my solemn duty
to fulfill, efficiently, these obligations, not
only towards Mexico, but other foreign
nations, | have exerted all the overs
with which | am invested to defeat such
criminal proceedings, and bringing to
punishment those who, by taking part
therein, violated our laws. The eneagy
and activity of our civil and military au-
thorities have frustrated the designs Of
those who meditated expeditions Of this
character, except in two instances. One
of these, composed of foreigners, was at
first countenanced and aided by the Mexi-
can government itself, it having been de-
ceived as to their real object. The other,
small in number, eluded the vigilance of
the magistrates at San Francisco, and
succeeded in reaching the Mexican terri
tories but the effective measures taken
by this government, compelled the aban-
donment of the undertaking.
The commission to establish the new