The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-08
puset's Sound Agricultural Company, have

can DO made on Nst terms,tot TIC e4uhSuisn'
ment Of the rights in question, embracing,
also, the right Of the Hudson's Bay Compa-
ny to the navigation Of the river Columbia ;
and I therefore suggest to your considera.
lion, The expedicncy Of making contin.
gent appropriation for that purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally
Of the United States in their struggle for
Independence. From that time to the pres.
emit, with occasional slight interruptions.
cordial relations Of friendship have existed
between the governments and people OF the
two COMMITTEES. The kindly sentiments,
cberislled alike by both nations. have led u
extensive social and commercial intercourse,
which, | trust, will not be interrupted or
checked by any casual event OF an appar.
emily unsatisfactory character. The French
Consul ut San Francisco was, no, long since,
brought into the United States District
Court ut tina. place, by compulsory process,
as witness in favor OF another foreign con-
sui, in violation, as the French government
conceives. of his privileges under our con-
sular convention with France. There being
nothing in the transaction which could i'm.
ply any disrespeci to France or its consul,
such explanation has been made, rs hope
will be satisfactory.
Subsequently, misunderstanding arose on
the subject of the French government hav.
ING. rs /, appeared, abruptly excluded the
American Minister TO Spain from passing
through France. on his way from London to
Madrid. But that government has unequi.
vocally disavawed any design 10 derry the
rieh, OF transit to tho Minister OF The Uni.
ted States and, after explanations to this
effect, he has resumes his journey, an1
actually returned through France to Spain.
| | herewith lay before Congress the cores
pondepce on this subject between our en-.
voy q, Paris, and the minister of foreign re.
lations of the French government.
The position OF our affairs with Spain re.
mains as ut the close Of your last session.
Internal agitation, assuming very nearly the
character of political revolution, has recent
| ly convulscd that country. The late minis.
tiers 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 no prcpiliods
opportunity to resume, and press on, ne.
cotiations for the adjustment of serious
questions Of difficulty between the Spanish
government and the United States. There
Is reason 10 believe that our minister will
find the present government moro favorably
inclined than the preceding to comply with
our just demands, and 10 make suitable or.
engagements for restoring harmony, and pre-.
serving 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 exaciion therefrom rs a matter
Of right. II is admitted on all hands that
this 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 fifih article OF our
treaty Of 1926, with Denmark, provides,
that there shall no, be paid, on the vessels
OF The United States and their cargoes when
passing through the sound, higher duties
Than those Of The most favored Nations
This may be regarded as an implied agree.
ment 10 submit, 10 the tolls during the
continuance Of the treaty, and, conse.
quen,ly, may embarrass The assertion
OF our rights 10 be released therefom.-
There are also other provisions in the treaty
which ought 10 bs modified. Il was 10 ie.
main in force for ten years, and until one
year after either party should give notice 10
The other OF intention TO terminate IL.
deem II expedient that the contemplated
notice should be given 10 the government
OF Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about
two years since for the purpose Of establish.
ing relations with the empire Of Japan, has
been ably and skillfully conducted 10 n sue.
cessful termination by the officer to whom
Il was entrusted. A treaty, opening GER
tain Of the ports Of that populous country
has been negotiated; and in order 10 give
full efec, thereto il only remains 10 exchange
and adop, 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 il for
wrongs and injuries 10 our citizens remain.
ed unadjusted, and many new cases have
been added 10 the former list Of grievances.
Our legation has been earnest in It's endleav-
ors 10 obtain, from the Mexican govern.
ment, a favorable consideration OF these
claims, but hitherto without success. This
failure is probably in some measure, to be
ascribed 10 the disturbed condition Of iha,
country.
II has been my anxious desire 10 main.
tain friendly relations with tho Mexican fe-
public, and 10 cause its rights and terrific
ries 10 be respected, not only by our cili.
zens, but by foreigners, who have resoried
10 the United States for the purpose Of or.
ganizing hostile expeditions against some
Of the States Of that republic. The de.
lenceless condition in which its fonliers
have been left, has stimulated lawless ad.
venturers 10 embark in these enterprises,
and greatly increased the difficulty of en-
forcing our obligations OF neutrality. Re.
garding il as my solemn duty 10 fulfil, ef-
ficien,ly, these obligations, not only towards
Mexico, bu, other foreign nations, I have
exer,ed all the powers with which am in.
vested 10 defea: such criminal proceedings.
and bring TO punishment those who, by
taking a part therein, violated our laws.
The energy and activity OF our civil and
military authorities, have frustrated the de.
signs Of those who medi,a,ed expeditions
Of this character, except in two instances.
One OF these, composed Of foreigners. was
al first coun,enanced and aided by The Mex.
lean government, ITSELF il having been de.
ceived as to their real object. The other,
small in number, eluded the vigilance OF
the magistrates nj San Francisco, and sue.
ceeded in reaching the Mexican territories,
bu, The effective measures taken ny this
government compelled the abandonment OF
the undertaking.
The commission TO establish the new
line between the United States and Mexi-
&c, according 70 the provisions Of the treaty
OF The 30ib of December last. has