Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-06

II 10 assume hostile attitude it confidently relies upon
the patriotism Of is citizens not ordinarily dev0ted TO the
military prof ssion augment the army and the navy 20
make them fully adequate TO the emergency which
calls them into action The proposal 20 surrender the
right employ prVaeers 10 pr0essedy founded upon me
principle that private property Of nnofendng honc"nDat-
ants though enemies should be exempt from the ra'ages
of war but the proposed surrender goes but little way 10
carving out that principle which equally requires that
such private property should not be seized or noeted by
national ships Of Should the Leading powers OF Europe
concur in proposing rule Of international law 70 ex-
eTnpt private properly, upon the from seizure by
public armed cruisers well by prirateers the United
States will readily them upon that broad ground
Since the adjournment of Congress- the notifications OF
the treaty between the United States and Great Britain
relative TO coast fisheries aud reciprocal trade with the
British North American provinces have been exchanged
and Of s anticipated advantages already enjoyed
by s although it, full execution abide certain acts
Of Legislation yet fully performed So soon as &c was
ratified Great Britain opened 10 our commerce the free
navigation Of the river 81 Lawrence and 20 cur fishermen
unoesfed access the shores and bays from which they
had been previously excluded the coasts OF her North
American provinces in return for which, she asked for the
introduction, free Of duty into the ports OF the United
States Of the fish caught ON the same coast by british s-
ermen. This being the compensation stipulated III he
treaty for privileges OF the highest Importance and vae
10 the United States which thus voluntarily yielded
before became effective the request seemed to me TO De
reasonable but il could not be acceded to- from want
Of authority to suspend our laws imposing duties upon an
foreign sh In the time the Treasury department
issued regulation for ascertaning the duties paid or Sc
cured by bonds fish caught the coasts OF the British
provinces and brought markets by British SUBJECTS,
after the fishing grounds had been made fully accessible to
the citizens of the United States recommend 10 your
favorable consideration proposition, which Will be sub
tted YOU for authority refund the duties and cancel
the bonds thus received The provinces of Canada and
New Brunswick have also anticipated the full operation OF
the treaty by legislative arrangements respectively to ad
nit free Of duty the products of the United States men
toned in the free st OF the treaty. and arrangement
similar that regarding British fish, has been made for
duties chargeabe the products Of those provinces
enumerated in the free list and introduced hereom
into the United States; proposition for retundng 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 the boundary line of the Territory
# Washington adjoining the British possessions the Pa
cihc which has already lie difficulties the part of the
citizens and local authorities of the governments.
recommend that provision be made for commission TO be
Joined by the part of her Britannia Majesty for the
purpose of running and establishing the line in controversy
Certain spuatons of the third and fourth articles of the
treaty concluded by the United States and Great Britain
in 1886 regarding possessory rights of the udsons Bay
Company and property of the Pugets Sound Agricultural
Company have given rise to serious disputes and il is i'm
pOrtant all concerned thai summary of settling
them amcaby should be devised have to believe
that arrangement be made just terms for the
exngishment of the rights in question, embracing also
the right of the Hudsons Bay Company to the navigation
of the river Colamba and therefore suggest your
sderation, the expedency Of making contingent appro
priaton for that purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally of the United
States in their struggle for independence From that time
the present with occasional slight Interruptions, cordial
relations of friendship have existed between the govern
and people of the countries The kindly senti
mcns cherished alike by both nations have led TO extea
eiye social and commercial intercourse which, trust will
be interrupted checked by any casual event OF an
apparently unsatisfactory character The French consul
San Francisco was long since brought into the
United States district court AT that place by compulsory
process as witness in favor oi another foreign consul IN
violation the French government cOnceiyes OF his pr
veges under our consular convention with Franc There
being nothing in the transaction which could imply any dis
respect to France its consul such explanation has been
made, hope will be satisfactory Subsequently, mis-
understanding arose on the subject OF the French govern
men having as t appeared, abruptly excluded the Amer
minister Spain from passing through France, his
way from London to Madrid But that government has
meqivocaly dsavowed any design deny the right of
transit the minister of the United States and after
plantations 10 tins effect, he has resumed his Journey and
actually returned through France to Spain. | Mfewith
lay before Congress the correspondence this subject be-
envoy Paris and the minister of foreign rea
tons of the French Government
The position of affairs with Spain remains as the
close of your last session Internal agitation assuming
very nearly the character Of political revolution has re-
Gently c0nvused that country. The late ministers
violently expelled from power and men, of very different
views in relation to its internal affairs have succeeded
Since this change there has been propous opportunity
and press negotiations for the adjustment OF
serious questions of difficulty between the Spanish govern
that minister will find the present government
favoraby inclined thahe preceding comply with our lust
demands and to make suitable arrangements for restoring
harmony aud preserving peace, between the two countries
j Negotiations pending with Denmark discontinue
the practice Of eyyng tolls vessels nd their ear
goes passing through the Sound do doubt that we
can claim exemption therefrOm matter Of right. IL
is admitted on all hands, thar this cXacOn is sanctioned
not by the general principles of the law OF nations but only
by special conventions which most of the commercial ma.
tons have entered into with Denmark The fifth article
of our rehty of iS6 with Denmark provides that there
shall be paid the vessels of the United States and
their eargoes when passing through the Sound higher duties
than those of the favored nations This may be
garded as implied agreement submit 70 the tolls dur
ng the continuance Of the treaty and consequently may
embarrass the assertion of right be released there,
from There aso other provisions in the treaty which
ought 20 be modified IL remain in force for ten
years. aud until year after either party should give no
tee the other of intention terminate It, deem il
expeden that the contemplated notice should be given to
the government of Denmark
The naval expedition despatched about two years since
for che purpose of establishing relations with the empire
of Japan has been ably and kilhry conducted sue
cessfu termination by the officer to whom il entrusted
treaty, opening certain of the ports of that populous
country, has been negoated and in order give full eff
feet thereto On remains exchange notifications and
adopt requisite commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between the United State,
and Mexico settled some of embarrassing dicu
ties with that country but claims upon it Go
wrongs and injuries tn our citizens remained madjused
and many new have been recently added 10 the for
mer list of grievances Our legation has been earnest il
its endeayors obtain from the Mexican government
favorable consideration of these claims but hitherto with
out This failure is. probably, in measure
f be aScrbed the disturbed condition of that country
II has been my anxious desire maintain friendly rea
tons with the Mexican republic and cause its right
and territories 70 be respected only by citizens
bat by foreigners who have res0rted to the United State