Butte record., 1855-01-06

that purpose.
France was the early and efficient ally
of the United States IN their struggle tor
Independence. From that time to the
present, with occasional slight Interrupt
tons, cordial relations of friendship have
existed between the governments and
people of the two cruutries. The kind
ly sentiments, cherished alike by both
nations, have led to extensive social and
commercial intercourse, which, [ trust,
will not be interrupted by any casual
event Of an apparent unsatisfactory char
acter The French Consul at San Fran
cisco was, not long since, brought into
the United States District Court at that
| place, by compuls ry process, as wit
ness in favor Of another foreign consul,
in violation, as the French government
1nceiyes, of his privileges under our
consular convention with France. There
being nothing in the transaction which
could Imply any disrespect to France Or
its consul, such explanation has beer
made as | hope will be satisfactory
Subse quenlly, nisundcrs anding arose on
the subject Of the French Government
having, as it appeared, abruptly exolu-
i l9d the American Minister 10 Spain
from passing through France on his way
from London to Madrid Bat the gov
ernment has unequivocally disayowed
any design to deny he right Of transit
10 the Minister Of the United Stat !;
and, afte, explanation to this effect, lie
has resumed bis journey and actually re-
turned through France to Spain. |
herewith l4y bef,re Congress the cor.
respondence on tn 5 subject between our
Envoy at Paris and the Minister of For
eign r 2lations of the French Govern
men.
The position of our affairs with Spain
remains rs at the close of Your last
session. Internal agitation, assuming
very nearly the character of political
revolution, has recen " conyuIsed that
country Tn late Ministers were vo-
lently expelled from power, and men OF
very different views in relation to its in
ternal aff.irs, have succeeded. Since
this chang there has been no proptious
Opportunity to resume and press on ne
gotiation, for the adjustment Of seri US
questions Of difficulty between the Span
ish government and the United States.
There is reason to believe th It our Min
isters will find the present government
more favorably inclined than the pre-
ccding to comply with our jrst demands,
and to make suitable arrangements for
restoring harmony and PR serving peace
between the two countri S.
Negotiations are pending with Den
mark to scontinue the practice of Ivy
ing tolls on our vessels and their cargocs
passing through the SoHnd [ do not
doubt that we can claim exemption
therefrom, as a matter of right 1t is
admitted on all hands that this exaction
is sanctioned, not by the grnaral princ-
Piles of the law of nations, but only by
special conventions, which most IF the
commercial nations have entered into
with Denmark. The fifth article Of our
treaty of 1926 with Denmark, provides
that there shall not be paid, on the YES
sels of the United States and their car
goes when passing through the Sound,
higher duties than those of the most ia
vorcd nations This may be regarded
as an Implied agreement to submit to
the tolls during the Continuance of the
treaty, and, consequently. may embar-
rass the assertion of our right to be re-
leased thcrefrom- 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 the intention TO terminate it. [
deem 1t expedient that the contemplated
notice should be given to the government
of Denmark The naval expedition, des-
patched about two years since for the
purpose Of establishing relations with the
empire of Japan, has been ably and skill
fully conducted TO a successful ternina-
tion by the officer to whom it was en-
trusted. \ Treaty, opening certain of
the ports Of that populous country, has
been negotiated; and in order to give
full effect thereto, it only rena rs to ex.
change ratiieations, and adopt requisite
commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between
the United States and Mexico led
some of our most embarrassing difficulties
with that conntry, but numerous claims
upon it for wrongs and injuries to our
citizens remained unadjus.ed, and many
new cases have been recently added to
the former list of grievadces. Our L.
cation has been earnest in its endeavors
to obtain, from the Mexican government.
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 reiations with
the Mexican Republic, and, to cause its
rights and territories to be respected,
not only by Our citizens, but by foreign
ers who have resorted to the United
States for the purpose of org nizing hos
tile expeditions against some of the
States of that Republic The defence
less condition IN which its frontiers have
been left has stimulated lawiess adven-
turers to embark in these enterprises,
and c,raotI ;ncraasei tha N iffic,,it,, IF on