The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-03

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be relations with all foreign powers
When my last annual message transmitted 70 Con-
gess two subjects Of controyesyons relating 70 the en-
stmen Of soldiers In this eounty for foreign service and
the other to Central AmseA-threaened 70 disturb good
understanding between the United States and Great Bri
tain OF the progress and termination Of the former que
ton you informed the time and the other Is
in the way Of satisfactory adjustment
The object Of the Convention between the United States
and Great Britain Of the 18th Of April 1850 was 70 So
cure for tbs benefit Of all nations the neutrality and the
Of any transit way interoeeanie oommuni
cation, The sthmns Of Panama which might be
opened within the limits Of Central America The preten-
SION subsequently, asserted By Great Britain to dominion
control territories in two Of the routes
those Of Nicaragua and Honduras deemed By the
United States merely incompatible with the main OBJ
jet Of the treaty but opposed 70 lis express sPuiA
tons Occasion Of controversy this point has been
moved by additional treaty which minister Al Lon
don has concluded, and which viii be Immediately sub
mPd the Senate for its consideration Should the pro-
posed supplemental arrangement be concurred in by all the
parties to be affected by il 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 opera
ton in 1885, put end TO Of irritation between the
two countries by securing TO the United States the right
Of fishery the OF the British North American prov
ince with advantages equal to those enjoyed by British
subjects. Besides the signal benefits of this treaty to
large class of citizens engaged in pursuit connected
10 uncomfortable degree with national prosperity
and strength it has had favorable effect upon other in
in the provision il made for reciprocal freedom OF
trade between the United States and the British provinces
| in America.
The exports OF domestic articles 10 those provinces du
ring the last year amounted 70 than twenty-five mil
lion dollars exceeding those OF the preceding year by
million dollars and the imports thererom during
the period amounted to than tWentyone mil
onan increase Of six million upon those OF the previous
year.
The improved condition Of this branch of
s mainly attributable the aforementioned treaty
Provision made in the first article Of that treaty for
commission to designate the mouths Of rivers 10 which
the common right Of fishery, the coast of the United
States and the British provinces not TO extend. This
commission has been employed part Of two but
without much progress in accomplishing the object for
which it Instituted, in consequence OF serious differ
of opinion between the commissioners not only to
the precise point where the rivers terminate but in many
instances to what constitutes river These difficulties
however be overcome by resort TO the umprage pro-
4 vided for by the treaty.
/ The efforts perseveringy prosecuted since the COM
Of my administration to relieve trade to the
Baltic from the exacon of Sound dues by Denmark have
not yet been attended with Other governments
have also sought obtain like relief to their commerce.
and Denmark thus induced to propose arrange
ment to all the European powers interested in the sub
ject and the in which her proposition
ceiyed warranting her believe that satisfactory
rangsmen with them could be concluded she made
strong appeal to this government for temporary gugpen
sion OF definite action its part in consideration Of the
embarrassment which result to her European
tations by an immediate adjustment of the question with
the United States This request has been acceded upon
the condition that the collected after the 10th Of June
last and until the 10th of June next from vessels and
goes belonging merchants 10 be considered
paid under protest and subject future adjustment
There is believe that arrangement between
Denmark and the maritime powers of Europe the sub
ect will be soon concluded and that the pending
ton with the United States may then be resumed and
minated in a satisfactory manner.
With Spain difficulties have arisen nor has
much progress been made in the adjustment Of pending
ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose relieving
commercial intercourse with the island Of Cuba of
s burdenS and providing for the speedy settlement
OF local disputes growing out of that intercourse have
yet been attended with any results.
Soon after the commencement of the late in Europe
this submitted
time nations two principles for the security of neutral
merce one, that the neutral flag should enemies
goods except articles contraband Of and the other
that neutral proper board merchant vessels Of
should be exempt from condemnation with the
ton OF contraband articles These were not presented as
new rules of international law having been generally
claimed by neutrs though not always admitted by bel
lgeren One Of the parties 10 the war-Russia-as well
neutral powers promptly aeceded these propo
sitions and the two other principal tegerents Great
Britain and France having consented observe them for
the present OCCASION favorable opportunity seemed to be
presented for obtaining general recognition Of them both
in Europe and America.
Bat Great Britain and France in common with most Of
the States Of Europe while forbearng to reject did not
amatyely upon the oyertures Of the United States
While the question In this position, the representa-
uyss Of Russia France, Great Britain, Austria Prussia
Sardinia and Turkey, assembled at Paris took into
sideraton the subject Of maritime rights and put forth
declaration containing the two principles which this gov
ernL ent had submitted nearly two years before to the
consideration Of maritime powers and adding thereto the
following propositions "Prvateering is and remains abol
ished and "blockades In order be binding be eff
fecve-tha is say maintained by force sufficient really
TO prevent 10 the coast Of the enemy and 10
the declaration thus composed Of four points two Of
which had already been proposed by the United States this
government has been invited to accede by all the
represented at Paris except Great Britain and Turkey To
the last Of the two additional proposonsthat in relation
TO bloCkades-there certainly be objection IL Is
merely the definition Of what shall constitute the efectua
investment ofR blockAded place definition for which this
government has always commended claiming indemnity for
losses where practical violation Of the rule thus defined
has been injurious IA TO the remain
NJ he the ~ Paris
hat privateerng is and remains abolshed"I certainly
cannot ascrbe 10 the powers represented in the
ference Of Paris any but liberal and phanhropc We've
In the attempt 10 change the unquesionable rule Of
maritime law In regard 10 privaeering Their propo-
stion was doubtless intended 10 imply approval OF the
principle that private property upon the ocean, although
ight belong the citizens Of begeren State should
be exempted from Capture and had that proposition been
so framed give full effect to the principle 1t would
have received my ready assent behalf OF the United
States But the proposed is inadequats to that
purpose il is true that II adopted private property upon
the ocean would be withdrawn from mode Of plumber,
but left exposed meanwhile 70 another mode which could
be used with increased effectiveness The aggressive capa
city OF great naval powers would be thereby augmented
while the defensive sbity Of others would be reduced
Though the surrender OF the Of prosecuting HOSTILE
n tes by employing priyatee proposed by the confer
enes Of Paris mutual in terms yet n practical eject ~
would be the REIMBURSEMENT Of right value 10 one
class oftaes but OF and far
larger class IL ought not TO have oeep anticipated that
inadequate TO the accomplishment OF the
posed object and unequal In its operation, would re-
ceve the assent Of all maritime powers Private property
woud be m left TO the depredaons Of the public armed
\ cruisers.
have expressed readiness on the part Of this govern
all In