Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01

returned the explicit answer, that preferred 10
tribute, and thus opened the way the relief of the
merce Of the world from gnomnious tax, long sub
mted TO by the more powerful nations of Europe
Ii the manner OF payment OF the Sound dues differ from
that OF the tribute formerly conceded the arbay States
still their exacon by Denmlrk has better foundation
in right Each was IN It's origin, nothing but tax
natural right extorted by those, who that
time able to obstruct the free and enjoyment OF it,
but who no longer possess that power.
Denmark while resisting assertion OF the freedom of
the Baltic Sound and Belts, mas Indicated readiness to
make arrangement on the subject, and has in
vlted the governments Interested including the United
States be represented convention assemble for
the purpose OF receiving and considering proposition,
which she intends to submit for the capitalization OF the
Sound Dues and the distribution of the be paid
Communication among the governments, according to the
respective proportions of their maritime commerce. TO and
from the Baltic have declined in behalf of the United
States 10 accept this invitation, for the most cogent
One is, that Denmark does not offer TO submit to
the convention the question of her right levy the Sound
dues second Isl that, if the convention allowed to
take cognzance Of that particular question, still it would
be competent 10 deal with the great International
cipe involved which affects the right in other cases of
navigation and commercial freedom, well that of
to the Baltic. Above all, by the express terms of
the proposition it is contemplated that the consideration
OF the Sound dues shall be comminged with, and made
subordinate matter wholly extraneous the balance of
pnwer among the governments of Europe.
While, however, rejecting this proposition, and insisting
the right of free transit into and from the Baltic
have expressed to Denmark willingness the part of
the United States to share literally with other powers in
compensatng her for any advantages, which commerce
shall hereafter derive from expenditures made by her for
the Improvement and safety of the navigation OF the Sound
or Belts.
lay before you, herewith, sundry documents the
subject, in which my views fully disclosed.
Should satisfactory arrangement be concluded,
shall again call attention the subject with
mendaon Of such may appear to be required
order to and the rights of the United States
far they affected by the pretensions of Denmark
FRANCE.
with much qualifications that, the ad-
ournment of the last Congress- the question: then existing
between this and that Of France, respecting
the French consul at San Francisco has been satisfactorily
determined and that the relations Of the two
continue to be of the most friendly nature.
question: also, which has been pending for several
years between the United States and the Kingdom of
Greece, growing ont of the sequesration by public
thorites of that country of property belonging to the
present American consul at Athens and which had been
the subject of very discussion heretofore has
Gently been settled TO the satisfaction of the party interest
ed and of both governments.
With Spain, peaceful relations still maintained and
some progress has been made in securing the redress of
wrongs complained of by this government Spain has not
only dsavowed and dsapproved the conduct OF the officers
who illegally seized and detained the steamer Black War
rior at Havana bat has also paid the claimed
demnity for the loss thereby inflicted citizens of the
United States.
In consequence of destructive hurricane which visited
Cuba in 1884, the supreme authority of that island issued
decree, permitting the importation, for the period of six
months of certain building materials and provisions, free
of duty but revoked when about half the period only
had elapsed to the injury Of citizens of the United States
who had proceeded to the faith of that decree The
Spanish government refused ndemnifcaon to the parties
aggrieved until recently, when assented to, payment
being promised to be made the amount due
| be ascertaned.
Satisfaction claimed for the and search of the
steamer III Dorado has yet been accorded but there
is believe that it will be, and that case, with
others, continues to be urged the attention of the
Spanish government do not abandon the hope of
| GLIDING with Spain some general arrangement, which, if
il do not wholly prevent the of difficulties in
Cuba will render them less frequent, and whenever they
shall occur facilitate their speedy settlement.
MEXICO.
The interposon of this government has been invoked
by many of its citizens account Of injuries done to their
persons and property, for which the Mexican republic is
responsible The unhappy situation of that country, for
time past has not allowed its government to give
due consideration to claims of private reparaton and has
appeared to call for and justify forbeaance in such
matters on the part OF this government But if the revo
lutionay movements, which have lately occurred in that
republic, end in the organization of stable government
urgent appeals to its justice will then be made and it
may be hoped, with success for the redress Of oil
plants Of our citizens.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
In regard 90 the American republics which, from their
proximity and other considerations have peculiar relations
to this government while has been my aim
strictly TO observe all the obligations Of political friendship
and of good neghborhood Obstacles TO this have arisen
of them, from their insufficient power check
lawess irrupons which in effect throws Of the task
on the United States Thus il that the distracted in
terna condition Of the State Of Nicaragua has made il in
cuInbent appeal to the good faith Of citizens
TO abstain from unlawful Intervention in its affairs, and to
adopt preventive measures TO the end, which,
similar OCCASION had tho best results in reassurng the
peace Of the Mexican States Of Sonora and Lower Cali
iornia
TREATIES.
Since the last Of Congress treaty Of amty,
merce and navigation and for the surrender Of fugitive
criminals, with the kingdom of tho Two Sices; treaty
of friendship, commerce, and navigation with Nicaragua;
and convention OF commercial reciprocity with the Ha-
vain kingdom, have been negotiated. The latter kingdom
and the State Of Nicaragua have also accedcd decar
alton recognising international rights the principles
tanned in The convention between the United States and
Russia Of the 22d Of July 1854 These treaties and
venons will be laid before the Senate for ratification.
TREASURY
The statements made, my last annual message,
specng the anticipated receipts and expenditures Of the
Treasury, have been substantially verified.
II appears from the report Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury that the receipts during the last fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1885, from all sources, sixy-ive mil
lion three thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars and
that the public expenditures for the period exclusive
Of payments Of the public debt amounted
ysix million three hundred and sixy-ve thousand three
hundred and ninety three dollars During the period,
the payments made in redemption Of the public debt in
GLIDING interest and premium amounted 10 nine million
eight hundred and oryiour thousand five hundred and
twenty-eight dollars.
The balance in the Treasury at the beginning Of the
present fiscal year, July /, 1885, eighteen million
seventysx dollars; the receipts for the first quarter, and
amount together sixty-seven million nine hundred and
eighteen thousand hundred and thirty dollars
thus aordng in ALL the available Of the
rcnf thc of mi cirht