Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-14

Britain, in 1876, regarding the posses
sorry rights of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany, and property of the Puget
Sound Agricultural Company, hav,
given rise 10 serious disputes, and it i
important to all concerned that sum
mary means of settling them amicably
should be devised. l have reason t
believe, that an arrangement can b,
made on Just terms for the extinguish
ment Of the rights, in question, EN-
bracing also, the right of the Hudson,
Bay Company to the navigation % the
river Columbia: and l therefore sug
gest to your consideration the expe,
diency of making contingent appro-
priation for that purpose.
France was the early and efficient al.
ly of the United States in their strug.
gle for independence. From that time
to the present hour, with occasional
slight interruptions, cordial relations Of
friendship have existed between the
two 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 United States District Court at
that place. by compulsory process, as a
witness in favor of another foreign con-
sui, in violation, as the French Govern
ment conceiyes, of his privileges under
our consular convention with France
There being nothing in the transaction
which could imply any disrespeet TO
France or its consul, such explanation
has been made, as hope will be salts
factory. Subsequently, misunderstood
ing arose on the subject of the French
Government having, as it appeared,
abruptly excluded the American minis
ter to Spain from passing through
France, on his way from London to Mad
rid. But that Government has uuequi-
vocally diSayowed any design to deny
the right of transit TO the minister of
the United States; and, after explana-
tions to this effect, he has resumed his
journey, and actually returned through
France to Spain. l hereby lay before
Congress the correspondence on this
subject between the Envoy at Paris, and
the minister of Foreign Relations Of the
French Government. s-t r-
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. The late Ministers were VIC
lently expelled from power, and men of
very different views in relation to its in
ternal affairs, have succeeded. Since
this change, there has been no propitious
to resume and press on
for the adjustment of Sc
rious questions of difficulty between
he Spanish Government and the Uni
ed States There is reason to believe
hat our Minister will find the present
Government more favorably inclined
han the preceding to comply with our
ust demands, and to make suitable ar
for restoring harmony and
preserving peace between the two coun
ries.
Negotiations are pending with Den
mark to discontinue the practice of levy
ng tolls on our vessels and their car
soes passing through the Sound. I do
lot doubt that we can claim exemption
herelrom as a matter of right. 1t is
omitted on all hands that this exac-
ion is santioned, not by the general
principles of the laws Of nations, but
'nly by special convention which most
# the commercial nations have entered |
nto with Denmark. The fifth article
# our treaty Of 6, with Denmark,
'rovides that there shall not be paid,
N the vessels of the United States and
heir cargoes when passing through the
sound, higher duties than those Of the
most favored nations. This may be re-
,arded as an implied agreement to sub
nit to the tolls during the continuance
f the treaty, and, consequently, may
mbarrass the assertion of our right to
e released therefrom. There are also
ther provisions in the treaty which
ught to be modified. 1t was to remain
d force for ten years, and until one year
fter either party should give notice to
he other of intention to terminate it,
deem it expedient that the contem-
lated notice should be given TO the
of Denmark s1 90 ca1ab |
j The naval expedition dispatched
bout two years since, for the purpose
{ establishing relations with the En-
ire of Japan, has been ably and skill
lily conducted to a successful termina-
on by the officer to whom it was en-
-usted. A treaty, opening certain Of |
le ports of that populous country, has
cen negotiated; and, in order to give !
III effect thereto, it only remains toex- d
hange rati6ca;ions and adopt requisite
Dfnmercial relations l8tislS ~
The treaty lately concluded between .
le United States and Mexico settled ;
'me of our most embarrassing difficult {
es with that country, but numerous {
aims upon it for wrongs and injuries
} our citizens remained unadjusted. :
nd many new cases have been recent +
A.