Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-17

Il
t across the Isthmus Of Panama, which
might be opened within the limits of
, Central America. The pretensions sub
, sequently asserted by Great Britain, to
domain or control over territories, in or
near two of the routes, those of Nicara-
qua and Honduras, were deemed by the
: United States, not merely incompatible
with the main object of the treaty, but
opposed even to its express stipulations.
Occasions of controversy on this point
T has been removed by an additional
treaty, which our Minister at London
has u1ed, and which will be i'm
mediately submitted to the Senate for its
consideration. Should the proposed sup
Elemental arrangement be concurred in
by all the parties to be affected by it,
the objects contemplated by the original
convention will have been fully attained.
The treaty between the United States
and Great Britain, of the 9th of June,
1854. which went into effective operation
in 1854, put an end to causes of irritation
between the two countries, by securing
to the United States the right of fishery
on the coast of the British American
provinces, with advantages equal to those
enjoyed by British subjects. Besides the
signal benefits of this treaty to large
class of our citizens engaged in pursuit
connected in no inconsiderable degree
with our national prosperity and strength,
it has had favorable effect upon other
interests in the provision it made for re-
ciprocal freedom Of trade between the
United States and the British provinces
in America.
i The exports of domestic articles to
those provinces during the last year,
amounted to more than twenty-five mil
lion dollars, exceeding those of the pre-
ceding year by nearly seven million of
dollars; and the imports therefrom, dur
ing the same period, amounted TO more
I than twenty one million an increase of
six million upon those of the previous
year.
The improved condition of this branch
Of our commerce is mainly attributable
to the above mentioned treaty.
Provision was made in the FIST article
of that treaty, for commission TO desig-
nate the mouths of rivers to which the
common right of fishery, on the coast of
the United States and the British Prov
inces was not to extend. This commits
sion has been employed part of two
seasons, but without much progress in
accomplishing the object for which it
was instituted, in consequence of seri-
GUS difference of opinion between the
commissioners, not Only as to the precise
point where the rivers terminate, but in
many instances as to what constitutes a
river. These difficulties, however, may
be overcome by resort to the umpiIa age
provided for by the treaty.
| The efforts perseveringly prosecuted
since the commencement of my admin
istration to relieve our trade to the Bal.
tic from the exactiun of sound dues by
Denmark, have not yet been attended
with success. Other governments have
also sought to obtain like relief TO their
commerce, and Denmark was thus in
duced TO propose an arrangement to all
the European Powers interested in the
subject; and the manner in which her
proposition was received, warranting her
to believe that satisfactory arrangement
with them could soon be concluded, she
made a strong appeal to this government
for temporary suspension of definite &C.
ton on its part in consideration of the
embarrassment which might result to her
European negotiations by an immediate
adjustment of the question with the Uni
ted States. This request has been ac-
ceded TO upon the condition that the sums
collected after the 18th of June last, and
until the 18th of June next, from vessels
and cargoes belonging to our merchants,
are to be considered as paid under pro-
test and subject TO future adjustment
There is reason to believe that an ar
rangement between Denmark and the
maratime powers of Europe on the SUBJ
iect, will be soon concluded, and that
the pending negotiation with the United
States may then be resumed and lermi-
mated in satisfactory manner
With Spain no new difficulties have
arisen. nor has much progress been
made in the adjustment of pending ones.
negotiations entered into for the pur-
pose of relieving our commercial inter-
course with the Island of Cuba of some
of its burdens, and providing for the
more speedy settlement of local disputes
growing ont of that intercourse, have not
yet been attended with any results.
Soon after the commencement OF the
late war in Europe, this government
submitted to the consideration of all mar:
itime nations, two principles for the Sc
curiiy of neutral commerce; one, that the
neutral flag should cover enemies goods,
except articles contrabaid of war and
the other, that neutral property on board
merchant vessels of belligerents should
be exempt from condemnation, with the
exception of contraband articles. These
are not presented as new rules of inter-
national law; having been generally
claimed by neutrals, though not always
admitted by belligerents. One of the
parties to the war-Russia, as well as
several neutral powers, promptly acceded
10 these propositions; and the two other
principal bslligerents, Great Britain and
France, having consented to observe
them for the present occasion, a favora-
opportunity seemed to be presented for
obtaining a general recognition of them
both in Europe and America.
But Great Britain and France, in COM
mon with most of the States of Europe,
while fOrbearing to reject. did not affirm
itively act upon the oyertures of the Uni.
ted States.
- While the question was in this position,
the representatives of Russia. France,
Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, SARDINIA,
and Turkey, assembled at Paris, took
into consideration the subject of mara
time rights, and put forth a declaration
containing the two principles which this
government had submitted, nearly two