The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-12-14

tions, cordial relations of friendship hav
existed between the Governments AM
people of the two countries. The kindl
sentiments, cherished alike by both na
tions, have led to extensive social ant
commercial intercourse, which, [ trust
will not be interrupted or checked by an,
casual event Of an apparently unsatisfac
tory character. The French Consul a
San Francisco was, not long since, brough
into the United States district court a
that place, by compulsory process, as ;
witness in favor of another foreign con
sui, in violation, as the French Govern.
ment conceives, of his privileges under
our consular convention with France
There being nothing in the transaction
which could imply any disrespect tc
France or its Consul, such explanation
has been made as l hope will be satisfac
tory. Subsequently, misunderstanding
arose on the subject of tho French Gov,
ernment having, as it appeared, abruptly
excluded the American Minister to Spair
from passing through France, on his way
. lIOm AouuOu u hduLlu' hul tudI bOh'
ernment has unequivocally disavowed any
design to deny the right of transit to the
Minister of the United States; and, after
explanations to this effect, he has resum.
ed his journey, and actually returned
through France to Spain. l herewith lay
before Congress the correspondence on
this subject between our Envoy at Paris,
and the Minister of Foreign Relations Of
the French Government.
The position of our affairs with Spain
remains as at the close Of your last ses-
sion. Internal agitation, assuming very
nearly the character of political revolu-
ton, has recently convulsed that country
The late Ministers were violently expel-
led from power, and men, of very differ
ent views in relation to its internal affairs,
have succeeded. Since this change there
has been no propitious opportunity to re-
sumo and press on negotiations for the
adjustment of serious questions of difficult
ty between the Spanish Government and
the United States. There is reason to
believe that our Minister will find the
present Government more favorably in
clined than the preceding to comply with
our just demands, aud 20 make suitable
arrangements for restoring harmony, and
preserving peace between the two coun-
tries.
Negotiations are pending with Den
mark to discontinue the practice of levy
ing tolls on our vessels and their cargoes
passing through the Sound. I do not
doubt that we can claim exemption there
from, as a matter Of right. 1t is admit
ted on all hands that this exaction is
sanctioned not BY the general principles
of the law of nations, but only by special
conventions, which most of the CONNER
cial nations have entered into with Den
mark. 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
passing through the Sound, higher duties
than those of the most favored nations
This may be regarded as an implied a
greemeut to submit to the tolls during the
continuance of the treaty, and, conse-
qucntly, may embarrass the assertion of
our light to be released therefrom. There
are also other provisions in the treaty
which ought to be modified. 1t was to
remain in force for ten years, and until
one year after either party should give
notice to the other Of intention to termi-
ate it. / deem it expedieut that the
contemplated notice should be given to
the Government of Denmark
The naval expedition, dispatched about
two years since for the purpose of estab-
fishing relations with the empire of Ja-
pan, has been ably and skillfully conduc-
ted to a successful termination by the Of
fcer to whom it was iDtrusted A trea-
ty, opening certain of the ports Of that
popu!ous country, has been negotiated;
and in order to give full effect thereto, it
only remains to exchange ratifcations,
and adopt requisite commercial regula-
tions.
The treaty lately concluded between
the Unit ed States and Mexico settled
some of our most embarrassing difficulties
with that country, but numerous claims
upon it for wrongs and injuries to our
citizens remained unadjusted, and many
new cases have been recently added to
the former list of grievances. Our lega-
ton has been earnest in its endeavors to
obtain, from the Mexican government, q
favorable consideration Of these claims,
but hitherto without success. This fail
ure 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 republic, and to cause Its
rights and territories to be respected, moi
only by our citizens, but by foreigners,
who haze resorted to the United States
for the purpose of organizing hostile ex'
peditions agains. some of the States oi
that Republic. The defenceless condi-
ton in which its frontiers have been left
has stimulated lawless adyenturors. 10 en-
bark in these enterprises, and greatly In
creased the difficulty of enforcing our OBJ
. legations of neutrality. Regarding it Il:
nv solemn duty to fulfil, efficiently, these