The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-01-03


WASHINGTON, Dec o9.--The House has vo-
Ted for Speaker twice this morning. In the
second vote Banks had 1903, Richardson IS,
Fuller 81, Pennington 8, scattering 5.
WAsHlNoros, Dec 81.
SENATE.
A messsge from the President was received.
He states that his convictions OF duty Will
not permit him any longer to delay giving
information to Congress on the state of the
Union, and recommending such measures as
I he Judges necessary. lie commences giving
the history OF Central American affairs in
particular. He refers to the recent Kansas
troubles, and says her people must be protcc-
ted in the exercise Of their rights without in.
reference on the part of the people Of 9th
or States. and conmendS the subject to the
early attention of Congress. He eulogizes
popular sovereignty, gives history of the
Union, and expatiates on State Rights.
With particular reference to Slavery and
the Fugitive Slave Law, he regards ag-
tation AS dangerous to the durability Of the
Union. and regrets TO see the States dsre-
gard their constitutional obligations, and re-
fuse 10 obey the laws Of Congress. lie de-
MES that the South has obtained advantages
over the North in the Federal Government,
and proceeds TO refer to the Ordinance Of
l7sI and the acquisition OF Louisiana to IL
lustrate the balance of power between free
dom and slavery. He comes down to the an
nexation of Texas, the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and argues that the South
got no more than belongs to her gives I'M
elaborate defence Of the principles Of the
Nebraska bill, and Indignantly denies that it
was breach Of faith He also refers to
grave questions pending with some foreign
powers, the most important OF winch is that
with Grent Britain, arising out OF the Near
agua question. 1t was an understanding of
the United States Ill making the treaty, that
all the present States OF the former Central
American Republic would thenceforth enjoy
complete independence, and that both oon-
tracing parties enloved equally to the same
1 extent for the present and the future; and If
either then had any claim or right in Central
America, such claim was unreseryedly rein
auished by the stipulations of the conyen-
| tions, and no dominion thereafter would be
exercised in any part of Central America by
Great Britain or the United States. This
| Government consented to their restrictions in
regard to a region Of country wherein We had
specific and peculiar interests, only upon con-
yicton that like restrictions We're somewhat
obligatory on Great Britain. But for this I'M
derstanding the treaty would never have been
conclcded by us.
Great Britain so construed the convention
rs to maintain unchanged all her previous pre-
tensions over the Mosquito Coast, and these
prctensions are founded on the assumption OF
political relations between Great Britain and
the remnant Of Indians on the coast entered
into at Il time when the whole country was q
colony in possession Of Spain.
1t cannot be successfully controyerted that
by the public law Of both Europe and Amer
ca no possible act of such Indians or other
predecessors could confer on Great Britain
any political rights. Ii however became APP
parent that Great Britain still continued IL
exercise Of a large authority for all that part
of Central America commonly called the
Mosquito Coast, covering the entire length OF
Nicaragua and the coast Of Costa Rica. This
act of Great Britain being contrary 10 tkt
States of Central America, as understood by
this Government, they have been the subject
Of negotiation through the American Minis
ter in London. Great Britain has bv repeat
ed and successive acts renowned all prctcn-
sions OF her own, and recognized the tgll and
cul terms. treat Britain now re-asserts her
right to this extent on the Gulf coast. on the
eastern coast of Nicaragua. The interie-
renee Of Great Britain, though exerted once
III the form Of military occupation Of the
port Of San Juan del Nortc, now presents a
claim Of right proteetorate over the Mosquito
indians. The President states that his Gov
ernment steadily denied that 1T the date Of
treaty Great Britain had any possessions 90
that coast other than the single establishment
1T Ballze. The President states that the
British Government sees no reason for the
interruption Of our peaceful intercourse, on
account of these differences Of opinion, and
hopes for an amicable solution Of the con-
troyersy He adds. there is, however. reason
10 apprehend that with Great Britain's actual
occupation Of the disputed territories this IN
ternational difficulty III regard to ct. Britain
arose. He SAYS the traditional policy Of the {
). is not 70 interfere with belligerents. such
being the public rights Of the United States
No solietude was fcltuntl Parliament pass
ed an act TO provide for the enlistment of a
, foreign legion; i was matter Of surprise
therefore, to find persons engaged il the I'M
ted States in this business. The ordinary
} steps were Immediately taken to arrest anc
punish the parties concerned. The matter &C.
qured additional Importance by diseosur,
Of the fact that these enlistments were pro.
ceeded upon a plan devoid Of official anthori
II. After stating TINT recruiting stations haf
been established In the United States by thu
completely Of the British Civil and Militar,
officers. he says these considerations, and thu
fact that the cause Of complaint was not {
mere casual occurrence, but II deliberate de
sign, conducted by responsible public func-
tionaries, impelled him to present the ease
TO the British Government.
The subject is still under discussion, the
result OF which VIII be communicated il due
time.
HorsE.- Sidney Webster, Private Secreta-
ny Of the President, entered the House, an
nouncing from the latter a written message.
Great excitement ensued. Mr.. Clingman
! moved that il ba read MIR. Morgan called
for the yeas and nays, and several members
struggled hercely for the floor.