The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-05

sort 20 in case this country should forced into
war with great naval power entitled TO more favor
able consideration than would be proposition to agree
accept the services of volunteers for operations on
land When the honor the rights OF our country require
to hostile attitude il confidently relies upon
the patriotism of its citizens not ordinarily devoted TO the
military profession augment the army and the navy so
TO make them fully adequate to the emergency which
calls them into action The proposal TO surrender the
right employ prvateers is professedy founded upon the
principle that private property of unohendng noncomba
ants though enemies should be exempt from the ravages
of war; but the proposed surrender but little way III
carrying out that principle which equally requires mat
such private property should not be seized or moested by
national ships of Should the leading powers OF Europe
in proposing, rule of International law to ex
empt private property upon the ocean, from seizure by
public armed cruisers well as by prVaeers the United
States will readily meet them upon that broad ground
Since the adjournment of Congress- the Publications OF
the treaty between the United States and Great Britain
relative coast fisheries and reciprocal trade with the
British North American Provinces have been exchanged
and of its anticipated advantages already enjoyed
by although its full execution to abide certain acts
of legislation not yet fully performed SO soon AS 1t was
ratified, Great Britain opened to commerce the free
navigation of the river ST. Lawrence and to fishermen
unmoesed to the shores and bays from which they
had been previously excluded the of her North
American provinces in return for which, she asked for the
introduction free of duty, into the ports of the United
States of the fish caught the by British fish
ermen. This being the compensation stipulated in the
treaty. for privileges Of the highest Importance and value
to the United States which thus voluntarily yielded
before became effective the request seemed to be
reasonable but it could not be acceded from want
of authority suspend laws imposing duties upon all
foreign fish In the time, the Treasury Department
issued regulation for ascertainng the duties paid
cured by bonds fish caught the coasts of the British
Provinces and brought to markets by British sub ecs
after the fishing grounds had been made fully accessible
the citizens of the United States recommend to your
favorable consideration proposition, which will be sub
mted you for authority to refund the duties and cancel
the bonds thus received The provinces of Canada and
New Brunswick have also anticipated the full operation of
the treaty by legislative arrangements respectively to ad
nit free of duty, the products of the United States
toned in the free list of the treaty. and arrangement
similar to that regarding British fish, has been made for
duties ohargeabe the products Of those provinces
enumerated in the free list and introduced thereom
into the United States proposition for refdng which
WILL in my Judgment be in like entitled TO your
| favorable consideration
There difference of opinion between the United States
and Great Britain the boundary line of the Territory
of Washington adjoining the British the Pa
cc which has already e difficulties on the part of the
citizens and local authorities of the two governments.
recommend that provision be made for commission be
joined by the part of her Britannia Majesty for the
Purpose of running and establishing the line controversy
Certain spuaons of the third and fourth articles of the
treaty concluded by the United States and Great Britain
in 1886 regarding pOssessory rights of the Hudsons Bay
Company and property of the Pugets Sound Agricultural
Company have given rise to serious disputes and it is i'm
pOrant to all concerned that summary of settling
them amicaby should be devised have believe
that arrangement be made just terms, for the
the right of the Hudsons Bay Company the navigation
of the river Coumbia and therefore suggest your con-
sideration the expediency of making contingent appro
priatiOn for that purpose
France the early and efficient ally of the United
States in their struggle for independence From that time
the present, with occasional slight Interruptions cordial
relations of friendship have existed between the govern
ments and people of the countries The kindly sent
ments cherished alike by both nations have led extern
sve social and commercial intercourse which trust will
not be interrupted or checked by casual event of an
apparently unsatisfactory character. The French consul
at San Francisco not long since, brought into the
United States district court at that place. by compulsory
process witness in favor of another foreign consul
violation the French government conceves of his pr
yileges under consular convention with Frame There
being nothing in the transaction which could imply any dis
respect to France its consul such explanation has been
made hope will be satisfactory. Subsequently, mis-
understanding the subject of the French govern
ment having as it appeared abruptly excluded the Amer
minister to Spain from passing through France his
way from London to Madrid But that government has
mequivocaly disavowed any design deny the right of
transit the minister of the United States and after ex
plantations this effect he has resumed his Journey and
actually returned through France Spain herewith
lay before Congress the correspondence this be-
tween envoy at Paris and the Minister of Foreign Rea
tiOns of the French Government.
The position of affairs with Spain remains the
close of your last session Internal agitation assuming
very nearly the character of political revolution, has
Gently cOlvused 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 propous opportunity
and press on, negotiations for the adjustment of
serious questions of difficulty between the Spanish govern
ment and the United States. There is reason to believe
that our minister will find the present government more
favoraby inclined hanthe preceding comply with our Just
demands and TO make suitable arrangements for restoring
harmony and preserving peace between the countries
Negotiations pending with Denmark TO discontinue
the practice of levyng tolls vessels and their
goes passing through the Sound do doubt that we
claim exemption tberefrom matter of right II
admitted all hands, that this exaction sanctioned
by the general principles of the law Of nations only
by special conventions which of the commercial ma
tons have entered into with Denmark The fifth article
of treaty of 1896, with Denmark provides that there
shall not be paid the vessels of the United States and
their cagoes when passing through the Sound higher duties
than those of the most favored nations This may be
garded implied agreement submit the tolls dur
the continuance of the treaty, and consequently
embarrass the assertion of right be released there
FROM There also other provisions in the treaty which
ought be modified 1t remain in force for ten
years. and until year after either party should give
tce to the other of intention terminate it. deem it
expedent that the contemplated notice should be given to
the government of Denmark.
The naval expedition despatched about two years since
for the purpose of establishing relations with the empire
of Japan, has been ably and skilly conducted to sue
cesl termination by the officer to whom it ntrusted
treaty opening certaia of the ports of that popuous
country has been negotiated and in order give full
feet thereto it only remains TO exchange racaons and
adopt requisite commercial regulations
The treaty lately concluded between tho United States
and Mexico settled of embarrassing difficult
ties with that country but claims upon it for
wrongs and injuries to citizens remained unadjusted
and many have been recently added the for
mer list of grievances Our legation has earnest in
tfS tn Gat,