Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-12-13

wick have also aullCipaieu Tue luii oPeio
ton of the treaty, by legislative arrange
ments, respectively. to admit, free of duty
the products of the United States mention
ed in the free Inst Of the treaty and an ar
rangement, similar 10 that regarding British
fish, has been made for duties now charge
able on the products of these provinces e.
numerated in the same free list, and intro
duced thereirom into the United States; a
proposition for refundng which will, in my
Judgment, be in like manner entitled to
your favorable consideration.
There is difference of opinion between
the United STATES and Great Britain, as to
the boundary linesof the Territory of Wash
nston adjoining The. British possessions. on
the Pacific, which has already led to dill
culties on the part Of the citizens and To-
cal authorities of the two governments
recommend that provisions be made for
commission, to -. joined by one on the
part of her Biittanic Majesty, for the pur-
pose of running and establishing the line
in controversy. Certain stipulations of the
third and fourth articles of the treaty con-
cluded by the United States and Great Brit
ain in 1916, regarding possessory rights OF
the Hudsons Bay Company, and property
of the Pudgets Sound Agricultural Com
pany. have given rise TO serious disputes,
and it is important to all concerned, that
summary means of settling them amicably
should be devised. | have reason to be-
lieve, that an arrangement can be made on
lust terms, for the extinguishment oil the
rights in question, embracing, also, the right
of the Hud>on's Bay Company, TO the nav
igation of the river Columbia; and there
fore suggest TO your consideration, the ex-
pediency OF making contingent spproprl-
alton for that purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally OF
the United States in their struggle for IN
dependence. From that time 10 the pres
ent, with occasional slight interrupt ms,
cordial relations of friendship have existed
between the governments and people oil
the two countries. The. kindly sentiments,
i cherished alike by both nations, have led
to extensive social and commercial inter
course, which trust, will not be interrup-
ted or checked by any casual event OF an
apparently unsatisfactory character. lhe
French Consul at San Francisco was, not
+ long since, brougl t,into the United Stat
District Court at that place. by compulsory
process, as witness in favcr OF another
foreign consul IN violation, as the French
government conceives, Of his privileges un-
der our consular convention with France.
There being nothing in tie transactions
which could imply any dsrespect TO France
or ITS consul, such explanation has been
made, as hope will be satisfactory.
Subsequently, misunderstanding arose on
the subject OF The French government hav-
ing, as it appeared, abruptly excluded the
American Minister 10 Spain from passing
through France on lis way from London
, to Madrid. But that government has Ine-
quivocalIy disavowed any dc'ign 10 deny
the right Of transit to the minister Of the
United States and, after explanations 10
this effect, he has resumed bis journey, and
actually returned through France 70 Spain
herewith lay before Congress The cores
pondence on this subject between our en-
voy at Paris, and the minister Of foreign re-
lations of the French Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain re-
mains, as at tie close of your last session
Internal agitation, assuming very nearly
/ the character Of political revolution, has
recently convulsed tha! country. Tie late
ministers were violently expelled from pow
| er. and men of very different views in re-
| Iation to its internal affairs have succeeded
| Since this change, there has oeen nc
propilious opportunity 10 resume and
press on negotiations for the adjustment
of serious questions of difficulty between
the Spanish government and the Unltec
: States. There is reason to believe that oul
minister will find tie present government
more favorahly inclined than the proceed
ing to comply with our just demands, and
4 10 make suitable arrangements for restoring
harmony, and preserving peace, between
the two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark
to discontinue the practice of levying tolls
; on our vessels and their cargoes passing
: through the sound. do not doubt that we
can claim exemption thereirom, as a mat
: ter of right. 1t is admitted on all hands
that this eXaction is sanctioned, not by the
general principles of the law Of nations, but
only by special conventions, which most oI
f the commercial nations have entered into
with Denmark. The fifth aiticle Of our
{ treaty of 1896, with Denmark, provides,
that there shall not be paid, on the vessels
of the United States and their cargoes when
; passing through the Sound higher duties
IAN those OF the most favor nations. This
may be regarded as an implied agreement
TO submit to the tolls during the contnu-
ance 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 wears, and until one year after either
party should give notice to the other OF IN
} tention to terminate 1t. deemit eXpedi-
ent that the contemplated noIlce should be
given to the government OF Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about
two years since for the purpose OF estab-
Isbins relations with the empire of Japan,
has been ABLY and skilllully conducted to a
successful termination by the olilcer to
whom it was entrusted. treaty open
inc certain of the ports of that popuIous
country has been negotiated and in order
to give full effect thereto, It only remains
to exchange rati6cations, and adopt requi-
: site 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 remain
ed unadiusted, and many new cases have
been recently added to the former list Of
grievances. Our legation has been earn
j l.; ;ts ondeavors to Obtain from ihe