Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14
WHOLE NO. l43.

JCSb DOt"S OUT envoy bt 1dTiS. a1u tHo
Minister of foreign relations orlhe French
Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain
remains as at the close of your last ses-
sion. Internal agitation assuming near
iy the same character Of polite al Iovolu-
ton, has recently cOnvulsed that country.
he late ministers were violently expell-
ell from power. and men Of very differ
ent views III relation 70 lis internal nf-
fairs have succeeded. Since this change.
there has been no propilous opportunity
to resume, and press or negotiations for
the adjustment of serious questions of
difficulty between the Spanish govern.
ment and the United States. There ia
reason TO believe that our Minister will
fna tho present government more favor
ably inclined than the proceeding 10 comply
with our just demands, and 10 make suit.
able arrangements for restoring harmony,
and preserving peace, between the two
countries.
Negotiations are panding with Denmark
to discontinue the practice of levying tolls
and their cargoes passing through the
Sound. | do not doubt that we can claim
exemption therefrom. as matter Of right
Ii is admitted on all hands, that this e1-
action is sanctioned, not by the general
prlhcIpleS o. The law of nations, bu, ONLY
by the special conventions which mos, of
ihe commercial nations have entered into
with Denmark. The fifth article of our
treaty oil 1896, with Denmark, provides,
that there shall not be paid, on the vessels
of the United States and thor careoes
when passing through the Sound, higher
duties than those OF the most favored na-
lions. This may be regarded as ali i'm
Piled agreement 10 submit 10 the tolls dur
ing the continuance Of the treaty and,
consequently,may embarrass the assertion
OF our right TO be released thereirom.-
There are also other provisions in the
treaty which ought 10 DO modified. II
was TO remain in force for ten years, and
until one year after either party should
| give notice 10 The other of intention 10 ter
inmate 1t. deem ii expedieni that the
contemplated notice should be given TO The
government Of Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched abou,
two eaiS since for the purpose of eslab-
liShing relations with The Empire of Ja-
pan, has been ably and skillfully conduct.
cd to a successful termination by the Off.
Ger 10 whom ii was in,rus.ed, A treaty.
opening certain Of the ports of that popu-
/ ious country, has been negotiated; ia or
der TO give full effect thereto. j, only re.
mains TO exchange ratihcatioRs. and adop,
requisite commercial regulations.
The treaty concluded between the Uni
ted States and Mexico settled some OF cur
most embarrassing difficulties with tha,
country, but numerous claims upon IL for
wrongs and injuries to our citizens re-
manned unadjusted and many new cssss
have recently been added TO the former
list Of grievances. Our legation has
been earnest in its enGsavors TO obtain
from the Mexican government iavora-
bio consideration OF these claims. but
hitherto without success. This failure is,
probably, in some measure TO be ascribed
to the disturbed condition of that country.
1t has been my anxious desire to maintain
friendly relations with the Mexican re-
public and 10 cause It's rights and territs-
rles to be respected, not only by our citi-
zens, but by foreigners who have resort
cd 10 the United States for the purpose of
organizing hostile expeditions ngains,
some the States OF that Republic. The
detenseless condition IN which lis front
iers have been left, has stimulated law
less adventurers to embark in these enter.
prises, aud greatly reased the Difficult
~ of enforcing our obligations, not only
toward Mexico but other foreign nations.
1 have exerted all the powers with which
am inI ested 10 defeat such criminal pro-
ceedings. and bring 10 punishment those
who, by taking part therein, violated our
laws. The energy and activity OF our
civil and military authorities have frustra-
ted the designs Of those who meditaied ex.
petitions of this character, except in two
instances. One of these, composed Of for
eigners, was al first countenanced and aid
ed by the Mexican Government itself, il
having been deceived as 20 their real OBJ
ject. Tho other small in number, eluded
The vigilance OF the magistrate al San
Francisco, and succeeded in reaching the
Mexican territories; but the effective
measures taken by this Government COM
pelled the abandonment Of the underiak-
ing.
The commission 10 establish the new
line between the United States and Mexi.
CO, according to the provisions ofthe treaty
of the 30th of December last, has been
organized, and the work is already com.
menced.
Our treaties with the Argentine Con-
federation, and with The Republics of
Urugua and Paragua, secure TO US the
free navigation of the river La Plata, and
some of its larger tributaries; but ;he same
success has not attended our endeavors 10
open the Amazon. The reasons in favor
of the free use of that river, | had occa-
sion to present fully. in former message;
and, considering the cordial relations
which have long existed between this
} government and Brazil, il may be eexpect-
ed that pending negotiations will eventu-
ally reach favorable result.
!, Convenient means Of transit. between
the several parts of a country, are no, on
: ly desirable for the objects of CONNER
! cial and personal communication but es-
! sential to its existence under one govern
men, separated rs are iae Atlantic and
: Pacific coasts of the United States by The