The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-12-09
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.

tnat an arrange ment can be made on ]uSl
terms for the extinguishment of the right III
question, embracing, also, the right of theI
Hudsons Bay company to the navigation oil
the river Columbia and therefore suggest
TO your consideration the expediency OF
making contingent appropriation for that
purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally of
the United States in their struggle for inde-
pendence. From that time to the present
hour, with occasional slight Interruptions,
cordial relations of friendship have existed
between the governments and people Of the
two countries The kindly sentiments cher
ished alike by both nations, have led TO ex
tensive social and commercial intercourse,
which, ! trust, will not be interrupted or
checked by any casual event OF an apparent
ly unsatisfactory character. The French
consul al 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 con-
ceives, Of his privileges under our consular
convention with France. There being moth
ing in the transaction which could imply
any disrespect to France or its consul, such
explanation has been made, as hope will
be satisfactory. Subsequently, misunder-
standing arose on the ubject of the French
government having, as it appeared, abruptly
iexcluded the American minister to Spain
from passing through France, on his way
from London to Madrid But that govern
ment has unequivocally disavowed any de-
siaY 10 deny the right of transit to the min
Ister of the United States and, after eXpla-
nations to this effect, he has resumed his
Journey and actually returned through
France to- Spain. herewith lay before Con-
gress the correspondence on this subject be-
tween our envoy at Paris, and minister Of
foreign relations Of the French government.
The position Of our affairs with Spain re-
mains as at the close of your last session.
| Internal agitation, assuming very nearly the
character of political revolution, has recent
! ly convulsed that country. The late minis
ters 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 propitious op-
portunity to resume and press on negotia-
tions for the adj djustment of serious questions
of ifficulty between the Spanish government
and the United States. There is reason to
believe that our minister will find the present
government more favorably inclined than
the preceding, TO comply with our just de-
mands, and TO 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 cargoss passing
through the Sound. do not doubt that we
can claim exemption therelrom, as q ma tier
of right. 1t is admitted on all hands, that
this exac!on is sanctioned, not by the gen
eral principles Of the laws of nations, but
only BY special conventions which most of
the commercial nations have entered into
with Denmork. 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
may be regarded as an implied agreement to
submit to The tolls during the continuance
of the treaty, and consequently, may embar-
rass the assertion of our right TO be released
herefrom. There are also other provisions
IN the treaty which ought to be modified
1t was to remain in force force for ten years,
and until one year after either party should
give notice 10 the other of intention to ter
inmate it. deem it expedent that the con-
trmplated notice should be given to the gov
eminent of Denmark.
The naval expedition, dispatched about two
years since for the purpose of establishing
relations with the empire of Japan has been