, 1854-02-18

'dHNt NullC W tHt NblCluNlbl llldl huSLla
was seized without legal authority at Smyr
ma; that he was wrongfuly detained Oh
board Of the Austrian brig Of war; that at
the time Of his seizure, he was clothed
with the nationality of the United States;
and that the acts Of our officers, under the
circumstances Of the case, were juStiGablc,
and their conduct has been fully approved
by me, and a compliance with the several
demands of the Emperor of Austria has
been declined.
For more full account Of this tranSac-
tion and my views with regard to it, | refer
TO the correspondence between the charge
d affairs Of Austria and the Secretary Of
State which is herewith transmitted. The
principles and policy, therein maintained
on the part Of the United States, will,
whenever a proper occasion occurs, be ap-
piled and enforced
The condition Of China, at this time,
renders il probable that some important
changes will occur in that vast empire,
which will lead to q more unrestricted in
tercourse with it. The commissioner to
that country who has been recently ap-
pointed, is instructed to avail himself Of all
occasions to open and extend our COM
mercial relations, not only with the empire
of China, but with other Asiatc nations.
In 1882, an expedition was sent to Jap
an, under the command Of Commodore
Perry, for the purpose of opening CONNER
elal intercourse with that island. Intclli-
gence has been received Of his arrival there.
and OF his having made known to the En-
peror OF Japan the object Of his visit; but
1t is not yet ascertained how far the En-
peror Will be disposed to abandon his re-
strietiye policy, and open that populous
country to commercial intercourse with
the United States.
1t has been my earnest desire to main
tain friendly intercourse with the govern
ments upon this continent, and to aid them
in preserving a good understanding among
themselves With Mexico q dispute has
arisen as to the true boundary line between
our territory Of New Mexico and the Mex
lean State of chihuahua. A former com
missioner of the United States, employed
in running that line pursuant to the treaty
Of Guadaloupe IIidalgo, made q serious
mistake in determining the initial point on
the Rio Grandc; but, inasmuch as his de-
cision was clearly a departure from the di-
rections for tracing the boundary contained
in that treaty, and was not concurrcd in by
the surveyor appointed on the part of the
United States, whose concurrence was nee
essary to give validity to that decision,
this government is not concluded thereby;
but that Of Mexico takes a different view
of the subject.
There are also other questions of consid-
cradle magnitude pending between the two
republics. Our minister in Mexico had
ample instructions to adjust them. Nego-
tiations have been opened, but sufficient
has not been made therein to cna-
bic inc to speak of the probable result
Impressed with the Importance of maintpin-
ing amicable relations with that republic,
and Of yielding with liberality to all her Just
claims, II is reasonable to expect that an
arrangement mutually satisfactory to both
countries may be concluded, and lasting
between them confirmed and
pcrpctuOted.
Congress having provided for full mis-
sion to the States Of Central America,
minister was sent thither in July last. As
yet he has had time to visit only one of
these Stotes, (Nicaragua) where he was
received in the most friendly manner. It
is hoped that his presence and good Offices
will have a benign effect in composing the
dissensions which prevail among them, and
in establishing still more intimate and
friendly relations between them respectively,
and between each Of them and the United
States.
Considering the vast regions of this cor
tinent, and the number Of States which
would be made accessible by the free navi-
cation Of the river Amazon, particu'a ar at
tention has been given to this subject
Brazil, through whose territories il passes
into the ocean, has hitherto persisted in
policy so restrictive, in regard to the use of
this river, as to obstruct, and nearly eX-
clude, foreign commercial intercourse with
the States which lie upon its tributaries and
upper branches. Our minister to that
country is instructed to obtain a relaxation
of that policy, and to use his efforts to in
duce the Brazilian government to open to
common use, under proper safeguards, this
great natural highway for international
trade. Several of the South American
States are deeply interestedin this attempt
to secure the free navigation of the ANA
zon, and it is reasonable to expect their Co
operation in the measure. AS the advan-
tages Of free commercial intercourse among
nation are better understood, more liberal
views are generally entertained as to the
common rights Of all to the free use of those
means which nature has provided for inter
national communication, To these more
liberal and enlightened views, 1t is hoped
that Brazil will conform her policy, and re-
move all unnecessary restrictions upon the
free use of a river, which traverses so many
States and so large part of the continent.