The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03
VOL. X.

dues differ from that of the tribute formerly
conceded to the Barbary States, still their ey.
action by Denmark has no better foundation IN
right. Each was, in its origin, nothing but
tax on common natural right, extOrted nv
those who were at that time able to obstruct
the free and secure enjoyment of it. but who
no longer possess that power.
Denmark, while resisting our assertion of Tho
freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belts. has !,
dictated a readiness to make some new arranoe.
ment on the subject, and has invited the GOV
ernments interested, including the United Statas
to be represented in Convention. TO assemble
for the purpose OF receiving and CONSIDERING
proposition, which she intends 10 submit G..
the capitalization of the Sound dues. and tbs
distribution Oh the sum to be paid as commute.
uoh among the Governments, according to the
respective proportions of their maritime o.,
merce to and from the Baltic. have decl;raI
in behalf of the United States. 10 accant ~
invitation, for the most coeent reasons o.
is, that Denmark does not offer to subro;, ,o
the Convention the question of her riob, -
levy the Sound dues. second is. that T. III
Convention were allowed to take cognizanca Of
that particular question, still it would not h,
competent to deal with the great international
principle involved, which affects the rigbt j.,
other cases OF navigation ard commercial frsa.
dom, as well as that of access to the Balt,
ABOVE all, by the express terms of the mono
sltion 1t is contemplated, that the consdrrati,,
OF the Sound dues shall be comminoled viii
and made subordinate to, a matter wholly sv
traneous, the balance of power among tbs
Governments of Europe.
While, however, rejecting this propostior
and insisting on the right of free transit ir,.
and from the Baltic have expressed TO Den.
mark Willingness, on the part of the United
States, to share literally with other Powers. in
compensating her for any advantages which
commerce shall hereafter derive from expepd
lures made by her for the improvement and
safety OF the navigation of the Sound or Bell.
lay before you, herewith, sundrv documep,.
on the subject, in which my views are more
lully disclosed. Should no satisfactory arranpe
ment be soon concluded, | shall again call vonr
attention to the subject, with Recommended
OF such measures as may appear to be required
IN order to assert and secure the ripbts Of tho
United States, so far as they are affected by,be
pretensOns of Denmark.
FRANCE
L announce, with much qualification. tho,
since the adjournment of the last Congress H.,
question, then existing between this Govern
ment and that of France, respecting the French
consul at San Francisco, has been satisfacto.
rly determined, and that the relations of the
TWO Governments continue to be of the most
friendly nature
GREECE
question, also, which has been pendino far
several years between the United States and the
hlngdom OF Greece, growing out of the seuue,.
ration, by public authorities of that country. of
property belonging to the present American
consul at Athens, and which had been the sinh
ect OF very earnest discussion heretofore. ba,
recently been settled, to the satisfaction of The
party interested, and of both Governments.
SPAIN
With Spain, peaceful relations are still main.
tanned, and some progress has been made in
securing the redress Of wrongs comnlained nc
by this Government. Spain has not only diso.
vowed and disapproved the conduct of the OFF.
GERS who illegally seized and detained the Steam.
er Black Warrior at Havana, but has also maid
ne sum claimed as indemnity for the loss there
BY inflicted on citizens of the United States
In consequence of destructive hurricane.
Tnich visited Cuba in 1874, the supreme au.
hority OF that island issued Decree permitting
he Importation, Tor the period of six months.
,f certain building materials and provisions
rec of duty, but revoked it when about halrthe
period only had elapsed, to the injury of ct.
.ens OF the United States, who had proceeded
% act on the faith Of that decree. The Spanish
government refused indemnfcation to the par
lies aggrleved until recently, when it was as
'ented to, payment being promised to be made
80 soon as the amount due can be ascertainpd
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and search
IL the steamer I'll Dorado has not vet been ac-
'orded, but there is reason to believe that IL will
)ej ana that case, with Others continues TO be
Urged on the attention of the Spanish Govern.
nent. l do not abandon the hope of CONCLUDING
With Spain some general arrangement, which,
I 1t do not wholly prevent the recurrence of
IN Cuba, will render them less fire.
luent, aud, whenever they shall occur, facilitate
heir more speedy settlement
MEXICO
The interposition Of this Government has
)een invoked by many Gifts citizens on account
II injuries done to their persons and property,
or which the Mexican Republic is sponsibe.
! be unhappy situation of that country, for some
lme past, has not allowed its Government to
I'VE due consideration to claims of private rep
ration, and has appeared to call for and Justify
ONE forbearance in such matters on the part
Il this Government. But, if the revolutionary
Movements, which have lately occurred in that
tepublic, end in the organization of a stable
government, urgent appeals to its Justice will
hen be made, and, it may be hoped, with sue
ess, for the redress of all complaints of our cit
zens.
CENTRAL AMERICA
In regard to the American Republics, which,
rom their proximity and other considerations,
ave peculiar relations to this Government,
While 1t has been my constant aim strictly TO
observe all the obligations of political friendship
nd of good neighborhood, obstacles to this
ave arisen in some of them, from their own in
efficient power to check lawless irruptions
which in effect throws most Of the task on
he United States. Thus it is that the distract
ID internal condition Of the State Of Nicaragua
las made it incumbent on me to appeal to the
'ood faith Of our citizens to abstain from unlaw-
ul Intervention in its affairs, and to adopt pre-
entive measures to the same end, which, on
imiar occasion, had the best results in reas,
uring the peace of the Mexican States Of So
ora and Lower California.
TREATIES
Since the last session of Congress, a treatvof
nifty, commerce, and navigation, and for the
urrender of fugitive criminals, with the King
ON Of the Two Sclies a treaty of friendship.
and navigation, with Nicaragua
nd a convention Of commercial reciprocity with
ne Hawaiian Kingdom, have been negotiated.
he latter Kingdom and the State of Nicaragua
ave also acceded to q declaration recognising
s international rights the principles contained
the convention between the United States
nd Russia of the 22d of July, 1854. These
'eaties and conventions will be laid before the
enate for ratification.
TREASURY
The statement made, in my last annual mes
age, respecting the anticipated receipts and
Expenditures of the Treasury, have been sub
-antially verified.
1t appears, from the report of the Secretary
the Treasury, that the receipts during the
asst fiscal year, ending June 30, 1855, from all
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