The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-13

S'oVoS bistriCt NourI at tndt place, o.
compulsory process, as a witness in favo
Of another foreign consul, in violation, a
the French Government conceives, of hi
privileges under our consular convention
with France. There being nothing in th
transaction which could imply any disre
spect to France o. its consul, such expla
nation has been made as l hope will b,
satisfactory. Subsequently misunderstood
ing arose on the subject of the French
Government having, as it appeared, ab
ruptly excluded the American Minister
to Spain from passing through France
on his way from London to Madrid. Bu
tnat Government has unequivocally disa
vowed any design to deny tie right o.
transit to the Minister of the United States
and, after explanation to this effect, he re-
sumed his journey, and has actually re.
turned through France to Spain. here
with lay before Congress the correspon,
dence on this subject between our Envoy
at Paris, and the Minister of Foreign Re
lations of the French Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain
remains as at the close of your last session.
Internal agitation, assuming very nearly
the character Of political revolution, has
recently convulsed that country. This
late ministers were violently expelled from
power, and men Of very different views in
relation to its internal affairs, have sue
eeeded. Since this change, there has
been no propitious opportunity to resume
and press on, negotiations for the adjust
ment of serious questions Of difficulty be-
tween the Spanish government and the
United States. There is reason to be-
lieve that our minister wi find the pres
ent government more favorably inclined
than the preceding to comply with our
just demands, aad to make suitable ar
rangements for restoring harmony, and
preserving peace, bet ven the two coun-
tries.
Negotiations are pending with Den
mark to discontinue the practice of levy
psSsiug Inrough the Sound. do not
doubt that we can claim exemption there
from, as a matter of right. 1t is admit
ted on all hands, that this exaction is sane
toned, not by the general principles of
the law OF nations, but only by special
conventions, which most Of the CONNER
cial nations have entered into with Den
mark. The fifth article of our treaty of
1926, with Denmark, provides, that there
shall not be paid, on the vessels of the u
nited States and their cargoes when pas
sing through the Sound, higher duties
than those OF the most favored nations
This may be regarded as an implied agree
ment to submit to the tolls during the con-
tinuance 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. 1t was TO remain in force
for ten years, and until one year after eli.
ther party should give notice to the other
of intention to terminate it. I deem it
eypedient that the contemplated notice
should be given to the government ofDen-
mark.
The naval expedition, despatched about
two years since for the purpose Of estab-
fishing relations with the empire Of Japan
has been ably and skilfully conducted to
II successful termination by the officer to
whom il 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 regulations.
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 grievances. Our legation has been
earnestly in its endeayors to obtain, from
tue Mexican government, q favorable con.
sideration Of these claims, but hitherto
without success. This failure is, probably
in some measure to be ascribed TO the dis
turbed condition Of that country. 1t has
been my anxious desire TO maintain friend
y relations with the Mexican republic,
and to cause its rights aud territories TO
be respected, not only by our citizens,
but by Foreigners, who have sesorted to tho
United States for the purpose OF organi-
ling hostile expeditions against some Of
the States Of that Republic. The defence
less condition, in which its frontiers have
been left, has stimulated Iawhss adyen-
turers to embark in these enterprises, and
greatly increased the difficulty Of enforcing
our obligations of neutrality. Regarding
Il "a my solemn duty 20 fulfil, efficiently
these obligations, not only toward Mexi-
co but other foreign nations, have ex.
er,ed oil the powers with which ] am in
vested to defeat such criminal proceeding
aud bring TO punishment those who. by
taking part therein, violated our laws
The energy aud activity Of our civil and
military authorities have frustrated tbs
designs Of those who meditated expedt
tons Of this character. except in two in
st mces. Que of these. composed Of Cor
eigners, was at FIRST countsnanced ant
aided by the Mexican government ....==s.s
I Il having been deceived as to their rex
object Tie other, small in number,elu
ed the vigilance oi the emag:sisates At Sar
FNnciscc, and saccssdei ID hing ,Il'
Mexican territories utths tI'e,ls s mess