Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-05
presisent's Sflessaae.
ABSTRACT OF the MESSAGE

organization OF the lower House. IL wos i'm
lnedlatey afterwards communicated to IN,
pnoiic in the leading cities Of the country
nhu we present our readers with it this morn
ihg' III commences with the remark that il
mas been customary for the President I,
u'"Ne no communication of public chagacte,
10 congress until after the complete organi
@'lon oil both branches, but having deferred
10 TINS usage until the close of the first month
oi the session, he can nc longer postpone the
discharge of his constitutional dntv.
After an unusually brief reference to the
tranquility, prosperity and peace enjoyed by
tne republic the message proceeds to treat
ot our iorelgn relations, beginning with Cen
tral America. With some foreign powers
we have grave questions pending, which may
require the consideration of Congress- and Of
these the most important is that arising out
Of the negotiations with great Britain in ref
crence to Central America.
1t was the understanding of the United
States in making the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
that il bound both parties to reinquish all
territorial claims or pretensions in Central
America, except the Belize But, since then,
Great Britain has colonized the Bay Islands,
revived her pretensions on the Mosquito
Coast. and annexed large part OF Honduras
to the Belize. The u S. Minister in London
has been holding correspondence with the
British Government on this subject, copies OF
which are sent to Congress with the message
By this, it appears that the two governments
differ widely and irreconceaby in the con-
struction of the treaty, and its effect on Cen
trail America. Great Britain has refused to
withdraw from Central America, affirming
that the treaty was prospective only, and did
not require her to abandon or contract any
possessions held by her at the date Of its con-
clusion. The United States deny that at the
date Of the treaty, Great Britain had any ac-
tual possessions there, but maintains that if
she had, they were surrendered by it. In its
last communication, the British Government
still declares that it sees no reason why a
conclatory spirit may not euable the two
government to overcome all obstacles to
satisfactory adjustment, and the President
does not consider an amicable solution hope
less: but he adds that there is reason to ap-
prehend that this international difficulty can.
not long remain undetermined without invol-
wing in serious danger the friendly relations
OF the two countries
Inc complications arising out cfthe recruit.
ing IN the United States for the British army
are dWelt upon with much emphasis. Our
etlzens nave, us our laws permit, continued
to sell and carry for France and England.
arms munitions OF war etc. and our ships are
engaged in acting as French and British
transports for the war. Al the fears of nri-
watering from our ports have proved futile.
Bat while thus enjoying the benefit of our laws
and policy, Great Britain has not scrupled to
infringe them, oy enlisting men for her armies
mere IL our own territory contrary to cur neu-
trailty statute. While the legal trial of some
OF the parties was going on, with view to
Their punishment, correspondence was open
ed on the subject with the British Govern
ment, which latter admitted it's approval and
previous sanction Of the act, but urged that
It's agents were instructed not to violate our
laws. The President does not understand
that such thing would have been possible as
to enlist the men without violating our laws
Meantime the recruiting was still contin-
ued upon regular systematic plan devised
by Official authority. The completely of Brit
ish officers, civil and military, in these doings
was fully proved on the trial of their agents,
but some of them are Of high official position.
and some OF them beyond our jurisdiction, so
that legal proceedings could not reach the
source of the mischief AS this design was a
deliberate one entered upon by responsible
public functioraries, the case has been pre-
sented to the British Government to procure
reparation for the injury, us well as the ces-
sation of the wrong. The subject is still un.
der discussion.
The President again recommends that pro.
vision be made for the adjustment, by survey,
OF our disputed boundary between the terri.
tory OF Oregon and the British Possessions,
as there has been imminent danger of COLI
sion there on the subject. He also recon-
mends the extinguishment by purchase, of
the rights OF the British Hudson's Bay Com
pany, and Puget's Sound Agricultural Com
in
ries.
The fishery commission has been organized
and has commenced its labors.
On the l4th of April last the L. States
gave notice to Denmark Of its intention to
terminate the treaty of commerce and navi-
CATION with that power one year from that
date, on account of an article therein which
might be construed into submission to the
Sound Dues. The President remains of the
opinion that We ought not TO submit to these
tolls, because they in effect recognize the
right Of Denmark to treat as close sea one
o' the great maritime highways Of nations.
denmark has indicated a readiness TO make
some new arrangement on the subject, and
has invited the the governments interested to
convention to consider her proposal for
the capitalization of the Sound Dues, and the
distribution OF the sum TO be paid as compu-
tation among the various nations in proper.
tl0n TO their Baltic commerce. This invita-
tion the President declined accepting, be
cause Denmark did not offer to submit to the
CenTention the question of her right to levy
the Sound Dues and because, if she did. the
Convention would not be competent 10 deal
with the great international principle of COM
mercial freedom involved. Above all, the
Conre1Non proposes to complicate this topic
with tho European balance of power. But
while rejecting the proposition, the President
has expressed 10 Denmark willingness on
the part Of the United States 10 share with
other powers in coBpeRsating her for her ex-
peHdtnres 10 improve the navigation of the
Sound Belts. Should no satisfactory arrange
meat be soon concluded, the President will
again call the attention of Congress to the
subject, with n view 10 measures for the secu-
rity OF our rights.
The difficulty with Greece cut the French
Consul Mt San Francisco has been satis!ac-
rily adjusted, as also tho difficulty with
Greece about the sequestraton of property
he!onging TO the present Consul at Athens
Spain has dsayowed the seizure of the steam
er Black Warrior, and has paid the indemnity
The other matters in dispute with Spain are
the subject of negotiation, and the President
hopes TO conclude with that government some
general arrangement 10 avoid futura diffcul-