The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-12

JOlucu Oy ono Ou tno puItoi hct DihiSh Hiy
esty, for tho purpose of running and cstab-
fishing tho line in tho controversy. ii
Certain stipulaiions of the third and fourth
articles of tho treaty concluded by the United
States and Great Britain in 1916, regarding
possessory rights of tho Hudson Bay Co.,
and property of the Pugcts Sound Agricul-
tural Co., have given risc to serious dispute
and it is important to all concerned that su-
mary means of settling thom smicably should
DO devised. have reason to believe that an
Arrangement can be ihado on just terms en-
braciny also tho right of the Hudson Bay Co.
to the navigation of the River Columbia; and
therefore suggest 10 your consideration the
expcdency of making q contingent appropr-
alton for that purpose Franco was tho car
ly and efficient ally of tho United Statos in
their struggle for Independence. From that
time to the present with occasional slight in
interruption, cordial relations Of friendship
between the governments and people of the
two countries. The kindly sentiments,c ,chcr-
ished alike by two other nations, have lod to
extensive social and commercial connections
which trust, will not be interrupted or che
ckcd by any casual event of an apparently
unsatisfactory character. Tho French Con-
sui at San Francisco was, not long since,
brought into tho United States District Court
at that place, by compulsory process az wit
ness in favor of another foreign consul in Vi
olation. MS the French Government think, of
his privileges under our consular convention
with France. Thcro being notl ing in tho
transaction which could imply any dsrcspcct
to Franco or its consuls, an explanation has
boen made such as hopo will be satisfactory.
Subsequently Misunderstanding arose on
the subject of tho French Government hav-
ing, as it appeared, abruptly excluded the A
morican Minister to Spain from passing thro'
Franco on his way from London to Madrid,
but that Government has unequivocully disa-
vowed, any design to dony the right OF tran
sit to the Ministers Of tho United States, and
after explanations TO this effect he has rcsu-
med his journey and actually returned thro'
France TO Spain. Herewith lay before Con-
gress tho correspondence on this subject, bo-
tween our Envoy at Paris and the Minister
of Foreign relations of the French Govern
mcnt.
Tho position of affairs with Spain remains
as at the close of your last session. Internal
agitation, assuming very nearly the character
of politica, Revolution, has recently convul-
scd that country. The latc Ministers were
violently expelled from power, and men Of
different views of internal affairs have succce-
dcd. Since the change there has been no
propitous opportunity to resume and press
on negotiations for tho adjustment of serious
questions of difficulty between tho Spanish
Cover mont and the United States. There
is reason to believe that our Minister will find
tho present Government moro favoraby in
clincd than the preceding to comply with
Il Il . 10 In
gcments for restoring harmony and prcscrv-
ing peace between tho two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark to
discontinue the practice of laying tolls upon
our vessels and their cargoos passing through
tho Sound. do not doubt that we can claim
exemption thercfrom as q matter of right. II
il admitted on all hands that this exacton
was sanctioned not by general principles of
tho laws of tho nations, but only by special
conventions, which most of tho nations have
entered into with Denmark. Tho fifth arti-
Gle of our treaty of 1929 with Denmark, pro-
vides that there shall not be paid on vessels
of tho United States and their cargoes when
passing through tho Sound, higher duties
than those of tho most favored nations.
This may be regarded as an implied agrco-
mcnt to submit to tho tolls during the con-
tinuance Of tho treaty, and consequently may
cmbarass the assertions of our right TO be
released thorefrom. There arc also other
provisions in the treaty which ought to be
modified Ii was to remain in force for ten
years, and until ono year after either party
should give notice to the other to terminate
it. deem it cxpedient that the contempla-
ted notice should be given to tho Govern
ment OF Denmark.
The naval expedition dispatched about two
years since. for the purpose of establishing
relations with the Empire of Japan, has heen
ably and skllfully conducted to a successful
termination by the officers to whom il was
entrusted. The Treaty, opening certain of
tho ports Of that populous country. has been
negotiated and in order Is givo full effect
thereto. it only remains to exchange ratif-
cations and adopt requisite commercial regu-
lations.
Tho treaty lately concluded between the
United States and Mexico settled ono of our
most embarrassing difficulties with that coun-
try but numerous claims upon us for wrongs
and injuries to our citizens remained unad-
justed, and many new cases have been recent
ly added to the former list of grievances =
Our legation has been earnest in its trea-
ties to obtain from the Mexican Government
a favorable consideration to those claims
but hitherto without success. The failure is
probably, in somo measure, to bo ascribcd to
the undisturbod condition of that country -
1t has been my anxious desire to maintain
relations with the Mexican Republic, and TO
cause its rights and territories to DO rcspcc-
ted, not only by our citizens, but by foreign
ors who have resortcd to tho United States
for tho purpose Of organizing hostile cxpodi-
tons to somo OF the States Of that Republic.
The dofencelcss condition of its frontiers
have stimulated lawless advcnturers to en-
bark in these enterprises, and generally in
crease tho difficulty of enforcing our obliga-
tions of neutrality.
Regarding it as my solemn duty to fulfil
efficiently these obligations, not only toward
Mexico, but other foreign nations, have cx-
tended oil tho power with which am invcs-
ted to dofcat such criminal proceedings and
bring to punishment those who by taking
part therein, violated our laws. Tho energy
and activity OF our civil and military authori-
tics have frustrated the designs Of those who
meditated expeditions Of this character, cx-
cept in two instances. One of those, COM
posed of Foreigners. was at first countcnanccd
and aided by tho Mexican Government it.
self il having been deceived as to its real OBJ
jcct. Tho other small in numbers, clu1ed
tho vigilance of tho magistrate at San Fran
cisco, and succeeded in reaching the Mcxi.
can territories but the effective mea sures Ia