Demoine courier., 1854-12-21

Oi huiS suUttCt UebWeeU our envoy Al
Paris and the Minister Of foreign rela-
tions OF the French government.
The position Of our affairs with Spain
remains as a, The close Of your last ses-
sion. Internal agitation. assuming very
nearly the character of political revolu
ton, has recently convulsed tha, coun-
try. The late ministers 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 propiiious op-
portunity to resume, and press on, nego.
siations for the adjustment of serious
questions Of difficulty between the Span
ish government and the United States
There is reason to believe that our Min
lister will find the presen. government,
more favorably inclined than the preced.
ing to comply with our just demands. and
to make suitable arrangements for res
toring harmony, and preserving peace
between the two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Dem
mark to discontinue the practice of levy.
ing tolls on our vessels and their cargoes
passing through the Sound. | do not
doubt that we can claim exemption there
from, as matter of right. |. is admit.
ted on all hands. that this exac,ion is
sanctioned, not by the general principles
of the law Of nations. but only by spe.
cial conventions, which most Of the COM
mercial nations have entered into with
Denmark. The fifth article Of our ,rea-
ty of 1926, with Denmark, provides,
that there shall not be paid, on vessels
OF the United States and their, cargoes
when passing through the Sound, higher
duties than those of the mos. favored
nations. This may be regarded as an
implied agreement to submit. to the tolls
during the continuance Of the treaty, and
consequently may embarass the asser-
tion Of our right TO be released there
from. There are also other provisions
in the treaty which ought to be modified.
II was to remain in force for ten years,
and until one year after either party
should give notice to the other of in,en-
tion to terminate Il. l deem il expedi
ent that the contemplated notice ehould
be given 10 the government of Denmark.
The naval expedition, dispatched abou,
two years since for tie purpose of es.
tablishing relations with the empire OF
Japan, has been ably and skillfIlly con.
Quoted 10 successful termination by the
officer to whom il was entrusted. A
treaty. opening certain Of The ports OF
that populous country, has been nego,ia.
ted: and in order to give full effect there
tn, it only remains to exchange ra.ifca.
tions, and adopt requisite commercial
regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between
the United States and Mexico settled
some Of our mos, embarrassing difficult
ties with that country. but numerous
claims upon i. for wrongs and injuries to
our citizens remained unadjusted, and
many new cases have been recently ad-
ded to the former list of grievances
Our legation has been earnest in its en-
deavors 10 obtain from ths Mexican gov
ernment, favorable consideration OF
these claims, but hitherto without sue.
cess. This failure is. probably. in some
measure, to be ascribed to the disturbed
condition of that country. II has been
my anxious desire 10 maintain friendly
relations with the Mexican republic and
to cause lis rights and territories to be
respected, not only by our citizens, bu,
by foreigners, who have resorted to the
United States for the purpose of organ.
izing hostile expeditions against some oi
the States Of that Republic.
The defenselsss condition in which its
frontiers have been left. has stimulated
the lawless adventurers 10 embark in
these enterprises, and greatly increased
the difficulty OF enforcing our obligations
Of neutrality. Regarding it as my sol.
emn duty TO fulfil, efficiently. these OBJ
legations, not only toward Mexico, bu,
other foreign nations, l have exerted all
the powers with which am invested to
defeat such criminal proceedings, and
bring to punishment those who, by tax
ing part therein, Jolated our laws. The
energy and activity of our civil and mil
itary authorities have frustrated the de-
signs of those who meditated expedi-
.ions OF this character, except in two in
stances. One Of these, composed OF
foreigners, was at frs, countenanced and
aided by the Mexican Government itself,
il having been deceived as to their real
object. The other. small in number,
eluded the vigilance of the magistrates a,
San Francisco, and succeeded in reach.
ing the Mexican territories; but the ef.
fective measures taken by This govern.
ment compelled the abandonment of the
undertaking.
The commission to establish the ne wv
line between the United States and
Mexico, according to the provisions OF
the treaty of the 30,h December last, has
been organized, and the work. is alrea dy
commenced.
Our treaties with the Argentine Con-
federation, and with the Republics OF
Uruguay and Paraguay, secure to US the
free navigation of the river La Plata, and
some Of its larger tributaries; but the
same success has not attended our en-.
deavors TO open the Amazon. The rea.
sons in favor Of the free use of that riv.
1 bod orros,cr - o.~..~x ell.