Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05

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casual event Of a apparently unsatisfactory char
acter. The Frens Ii consul al San Francisco was,
not long since, ID rought into the United States
district court at tihat place, by compulsory pro-
cess, as with. rs in favor Of another foreign
consul, IN yiolatit,n, as the French government
conceives, of his privileges under our consular
convention with France. There being nothing in
The transaction wbdch could imply any disres pecf
10 France or its consul, such xpanation has been
made, as hope wi u be satisfactory. Subse-
quently, misunderstood ding arose on the subject Of
the French government having, as il appeared,
abruptly excluded the American minister 10
Spain from passing through France, on his way
from London 10 Madrid. But that government
has unequvocaly disav owed amy design TO deny
the right Of transit to th minister of the United
States; and, after explanations 70 this effect, he
has resumed his journey, and actually returned
through France 10 Spain. | herewith lay before
Congress the correspondence titus subject be-
tween our envoy al Paris, and the minister of
foreign relations of the French Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain remains
the close of your LAST session. Internal agi-
tation assuming very nearly the character Of poll
tical revolution, has recently convulscd that 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 propitious
opportunity 10 resume, and press on, negot tatons
for the adjustment Of serious questions or diff
Guilty between the Spanish government ani the
United States. There is reason 10 believe that
our minister will lind the present government
more favorably inclined than the precedingto ON
| ply with our just demands, and to make suitable
arrangements for restoring harmony, and preserv-
| ing peace, between the two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark TO dis
continue the practice of levying tolls on our ve-
sells and their cargoes passing through the Sound.
l do not doubt that we can claim exemption there
from, as matter Of right. II is admitted on AL
i hands, that this exacton is sanctioned not by the
general principles Of the law of nations, but only
/ by special conventions, which most of the colu-
| mercial nations have entered into with Denmark.
The fifth article of our treaty-of 1896, with Den-
mark provides, that there shall not be paid on the
4 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 agreement 10 submit TO
the tolls during the continuance OF the treaty. and,
| consequently, may embarrass the assertion OF our
right TO be released therefrom. There are also
other provisions in the treaty which ought TO be
modified. II was 10 remain in force for ten years,
and until one year after either party should give
notice TO the other of intention TO terminate IT,
deem it expedient that the contemplated notice
should be given to the government of Denmark.
The naval expedition, dispatched about two
years since for the purpose of establishing Tela-
tons with the empire of Japan, has been ably and
skilfully conducted TO successful termination by
the officer 10 whom II was entrusted. treaty,
opening certain Of the ports of that populc-
country, has been negotiated; and, in ~ ~
give full effect thereto, it Only remains ~aSera
ratifcations and s1opt requisite CONNIE rcial regy
lations. reg
.ne treaty lately Concluded between the Unite,
States and Mexico settled some of our embarrsss
( ing dlhiculties with that country, but numerous
, claims upon il for wrongs and injuries to on
citizens, remained unadjusted, and many rev
: cases have been recently added 10 the former lis
OF grievances. Our legation has been earnest il
lis endeavors 10 obtain from The Mexican govern
maj fax Ia II -
+ but hitherto without success. This failure is
probably, in some measure. TO be ascribed TO tn,
} disturbed condition of that country IL has beer
my anxious desire 10 maintain friendly relation.
J with the Mexican republic, and TO cause its rights
and territories TO be respected, not only by ou
citizens, but by foreigners, who have resorted tC
! the United States for the purpose Of organizing
hostile expeditions against some of the States o
that Republic. The defensess condition in which
its frontiers have been le has stimulated lawless
adventurers TO embark in these enterprises, and
greatly increase The difficulty of enforcing our OBJ
legations Of neutrality. Regarding it as my solemn
duty 10 fulf efficiently, these obligations, not only
towards Mexico, but other foreign nations, have
exerted all the powers with which am invested
TO defeat such criminal proceedings, and bring 70
punishment those who, by taking part therein
violated our laws. The energy and activity oil
our civil and military authorities have frustrated
the designs OF those who meditaied expeditions o.
this character, except in two instances. One Of
these, composed OF foreigners, was at first coun.
ienanced and aided by the Mexican government
itself, il having been deceived 10 their real OBJ
Ject. The other, small in number, eluded the
vigilance Of the magistrates AZ San Francisco. and
succeeded in reaching the Mexican territories
but the effective measures taken by this govern.
ment compelled the abandonment OF the under.
taking.
The commission 10 establish the new line be-
tween the United States and Mexico, according
10 the provisions OF the treaty OF the 30th Of De-
cember last, has been organized, and the work il
already commenced.
Our treaties with the Argentine Confederation
and with the Republics OF Uruguay and Paraguay
secure 10 US the free navigation OF the river La
Plata and some Of its larger tributaries; but the
same success has not attended our endeavors 10
open the Amazon. The reasons in favor OF the
free use Of that river. had occasion 10 present
| fully In a former message; and, considering the
cordial relations which have long existed between
this Government and Brazil Il may be expected
that pending negotiations will, eventually, reach a
favorable result.
Convenient means Of transit, between the sew.
eral parts Of country, are not only desirable for
the objects Of commercial and personal communi-
| cation, but essential 10 its existence under one
government. Separated as are the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts Of the United States by the whole
breadth Of the continent, still the inhabitants OF
each are closely bound together by community OF
origin and institutions, and by strong attachment
TO the Union. Hence the constant and incress.
ing Intercourse, and vast interchange Of CONNER
cisl productions between these remote divisions
OF the Republic. Al the present time, the most
practicable and only commodious routes for CON-
munication between them are BY the way OF the
Isthmns Of Central America. II is the duty Of the
Government 10 secure these avenues against eli
danger Of interruption,
In relation 10 Central America, perplexing ques-
tons existed between the United States and Great
Britain al the lime ofthe ccsson OF Calfornia These,
as well az questions which subsequently arose CON
cerning inter-oceanic communication across The
lshmus, were, as IL was supposed, adjusted by
. the treaty Of April ~, 1850; but, unfortunately,
they have been re-opened by serious misunder-
standing as to the import Of some Of its provisions
, a readjustment Of which is now under considers-
ton. Our minister ai London has made strenu-
ous efforts 10 accomplish this desirable Object but
has not yet found \ possible TO bring the negotia-
tons TO a termination.
As incidental 20 these questions, I deem Il
proper TO notice an occurrence which happened
an Central America. the close Of the last ses-
sion Of Congress So soon az the necessity was
| perceived Of establishing inter-ocesnic communi-
cations across the Istbmus, a company was or
gained, under authority ofthe Stste Of Nicaragua
but composed, for the most part, OF citizens Of the
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