Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-14

COMPANY, nave given rise 10 serious dlSputeS,
and it is important to all concerned, that sum-
mary means of settling them amicably should
be devised. | have reason to believe, that an
arrangement can be made on just terms, for
the extingulshment of the rights in question,
embracing, also, the right of the Hudson S
Bay Company TO the navigation of the river
Columbia and therefore suggest to your
consideration, the expediency of making a
contingent appropriation for that purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally Of the
United States In their struggle for indepen-
dence. From that time to the present, with
occasional slight interruptions, cordial relations
Of friendship have existed between the govern
ments and people Of the two countries. The
kindly sentiments, cherished alike by both ma
lions, have led 4sS-szAsns7ve social and CONNER
clal intercourse, which, l trust will not be iu-
Ierrupted 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 consul, in
violation, as the French government conceives,
OF his privileges under our consul, in violation
as the French government conceives. of his
privileges under our consular convention with
France. There being nothing in The iransac-
ton which could imply any disrespect IA
France or lis consul, such explanation has been
made | hope will be satisfactory. Subse-
quently, misunderstanding arose on the sub
| Ject of the French government having, as il
appeared, abruptly excluded the American
Minister 10 Spain from passing through Frauce,
on his way from London 10 Madrid But that
government has unequivocav disavowed any
design To deny the right Of transit ID the Minis
ter 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 corrcspon-
dence on this subject between our Envoy at
Paris, and The Minister of Foreign Relations
! of the French government.
The position of our affairs with Spain re-
mains rs al the close of our last session. In
Iernal agitation, assuming very nearly the
character of political revolution, has recently
convulsed the country. The late ministers
were violently expelled from power, and men,
of different views in relation TO its internal af-
fairs, have succeeded. Since this chanue.
there has been no propitious opportunity to re-
sumo, and press on, negotiations for the ad-
jusiment of serious questions of difficulty be-
tween The Spanish government and The United
Minister will find the present government more
tavorably inclined than the preceding to com
ply with onr ;usi demands, aud 10 make suia-
BILE arrangements for restoring harmony, and
preserving peace, between the two countries
Negotiations are pending with Denmark 10
discontinue the practice of levying tolls on our
vessels and their cargOes passing through the
Sound. | do not doubt that we can claim eX-
emptlon thereirom, as a matter of right. Ii is
admitted on all hands, that the eXaclion is
sanctioned, not by the general principle of the
law of nations, but only by special conventions,
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 pass
ing through the Sound higher duties than
those of the most favored nations. This NAV
be regarded as an implied agreement to submit
to the tolls during The continuance ofIhe treaty,
and, consequently, may embarass the assertion
nf our right 10 be released lherefrum. There
are also other provisions in the treaty which
oaght to be modified. 1t was 10 remain in
force for ten wears, aud until one year after
either party should give notice 10 the other Of
intention to terminate it. | deem it expedeni
that the contemplated notice sho&d be given
10 the government of Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about two
years since for The purpose of establishing re-
ations with the empire Of Japan has been ably
aud skifully conducted 10 q successful termina-
tion by the officer to whom it was enIrused.-
A treaty, opening certain Of the ports Of that
popuous country, has been negotiated (; and in
order to give full effect thereto, IL only remains
to exchange ratiicalions, and adop, requisite
commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between the Uni
ted States and Mexico, setleG some Of our
most embarrassing difficulties with that coun-
try, but numerous claims upon it for wrongs
and injuries 10 our citizens remained unadt tus-
ted and many new cases have been recently
added TO the former list of grievances. Our
legation has been earnest in lis endeavOrS to OBJ
tain, from the Mexican government, a favora-
bic consideration Of lhuse claims, but hitherto
without success. This failure is, probably, ia
some measure, To be ascriheG to the disturbed
condition of that country. 1t has been my anx-
ious desire TO maintain friendly relations with
the Mexican republic and 10 cause lis rights and
territories to be respected, not only by our citi-
Zens, but by foreigners, who have resor@d To
the United States for the purpose of organizing
hostile expeditions against some of the states of
that republic.
The defenceless condition in which its from
tiers have been left, HAS stimulated IawIess ad-
venturers TO embark in these enterprises, and
greatly increased the difficulty Of enforcing our
obligations Of neutrality. Regarding it as my
solemn duty to fulfil efficiently these obiga-
tions, not only towards Mexico, but other for
eign nations, have exeried all the powers with
which am invested 10 defeat such criminal
proceedings, and bring 10 punishment those
who, by taking a part therein, violated our
laws. The energy and activity ofour civil aud
military authorities have frustrated the designs
Of those who meditaed expeditions Of this
character, except in two instances. One Of
these, composed of foreigners, was at first
countenanced and aided by the Mexican gov
ernment itself, it having been deceived as TO
their real object. The other, small in number,
elnded the vigilance of the magistrates at San
Francisco, and succeeded in reaching the Mex
ican territories; but the effective measures ia-
ken by This government compelled the abandon
ment Of The undertaking.
The commission 10 establish the new line be-
tween the United States and Mexico, according
to The provisions of the treaty of the 30th De-
cemher last, has been organized, and The work
is already commenced.
Our treaties with the Argentine Confedera-
tlon, and with the Republics of Uruguay and
Paraguay secure to US the free navigation Of
The river LaPlata, and some of lis larger tribu-
tarles, but the same success has not attended