The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-11

r though suffering less by their depredations
\ than many other nations, returned the ex-
plicit answer, that we prefer war to trltpte,
and thus opened the way to the relief OF the
commerce of the world from an ignominious
tax, so long submitted toby the more power
J ful nations of Europe. c.,
If the manner of payment OF the SOUND
, Dues differ from that of the tribute former
ly conceded to the Barbary States, still their
/, exaction by Denmark has no better iounda-
ton in right. Each was, in its origin:
nothing but tax on q common haturai
. right, extortcd by those, who were ut that
time able TO obstruct the free and secure en-
ioyment of it, but who no longer possess
that power.
Denmark. while resisting our assertion oil
the freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belts,
has indicated a readiness to make some new
arrangement on the subject, and has inVi.ed
the governments interested, inciuuihS tne
United States, to be represented ma c'nN.Hs'
ton to assemble for the purpose oi receiving
and considering proposition which she IN
tends to submit, for the capitalization oil the
Sound Dues, and the distribution oil the sum
TO be paid as commutation among the gov
ernments, according to the respective pro,
portions of their maritime commerce to ana
from the Baltic. have declined, in behalf
of the United States, toaccept this invitation,
for the most c0gncnt reasons. One U.s. that
| Denmark does not offer to submit to the con-
yention the question of her right to levy uie
Sound Dues. A second is, that II the con-
yention were allowed to take cosnlzance oi
that particular question, still it would not
be competent to deal with the great inter
national principle involved; which affects .he
right in other cases of navigation ana con'-
mcrcial freedom, rs well as that oi access W
the Baltic. Above all, by the express terms
of the proposition, it is contemplated ,n'
the consideration of the Sound Dues snail pe
commingled with, and made subordinate 10
a matter wholly extmneous, the balance oi
power among the governments OF Europe.
While, however, rejecting this proposition
and insisting on the right of free transltinto
and from the Baltic, have cxpresSea 10
Denmark willingness, on the part oil thc
United States, to share literally with other
powers in compensating her for ranyadyantges
which commerce shall hereafter derive IRON
expenditures made by her for the improve
ment and safety of the navigation ol the
Sound OF Belts.
| Law before YOU, herewith, sundry docu-
ments ON the subject, in which my views are
more fully disclosed. Should no satisfactory
arrangement be soon concluded, shaii
again call your attention to the subject, win
Recommendation of such measures rs may
appear to be required in order to assert ana
secure the rights of tho United States, 50 tar
as they are affected by the pretenslons oil
Denmark.
FRANCE.
announce with much qualification, that,
since the adjournment of the last Congress
the question, then existing between this gov
ernment and that Of France, respecting the
French consul ut san Francisco, has been
satisfactorily determined, and that the re-
latiOns of the two governments continue 10
be of the most friendly nature.
GREECE.
A question, also, which has been pending
for several years between the United States
and the Kingdom of Greece, growing out oi
the scquestratiOn, by public authorities ol
that country, of property belonging to the
present American consul mt Athens, and
which had been the subject of very earnest
discussion heretofore, has recently been set
tied to the satisfaction of the party interest
cd and both governments.
SPAIN.
With Spain, peaceful relations are still
maintained, ,and some progress has been made
| i'm securing the redress of wrongs scOmplained
of by this government. Spain has not only
diavowcd and disapproyed the conduct OF
the officers, who illegally seized and detained
the steiner Black Warrior ut Havana, but
has also paid the sum claimed as indemnity
for the loss thereby inflicted on citizens OF
the United States.
In consequence of q destructive hurricane,
which visited Cuba in 1914, the supreme
authority of that island issued decree, per-
mitting the importation, for the period OF
six months, of certain building materials
and provisions, free of duty, but revoke 1t
when about half the period only had elapsed,
| to the injury of citizenso of the United States,
who had proceeded To act on the faith OF
that decree. The Spanish government re-
fused identification to the parties aggricyed
until recently, when it was asscnted TO, pay
ment being promised to be made so soon as
the amount due can be asccrtained.
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and
search of the steamer FL Dorado has not yet
been accorded, but there is reason to believe
that il will be, and that case with Others, |
continues to be urged on the attention OF
the Spanish government. 1 do not abandon
the hope of concluding with Spain some gem |
eral arrangement, which, if it do not wholly |
prevent the recurrence of difficulties in Cuba,
will render them less frequent, and whenever
they shall occur facilitate their more speedy |
settlement.
Mexico.
The intcrposition of this government has
been invoked by many of its citizens, on
account of injuries done to their persons and
property, for which the Mexican Republic
Is responsible. The unhappy situation of
that country, for some time past, has not
allowed its government to give due consider
alton to claims of private repaation, and
has appeared to call for and justify some
forbeannce in such matters on the part OF
this government. But, il the revolutionary |
movements which have lately occurred in
that republic, end in the organization OF a
stable government, urgent appeals to its
Justice will then be made, and, il may be
hoped, with success, for the redress of all
complaints of our citizens.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
In regard to the American Republics,
which, from their proximity and other con-
sidentions, have peculiar relations to this
government, while it has been my constant
aim strictly to observe all the obligations OF
political friendship and good neighborhood,
obstacles to this have arisen in someof them,
from their own insufficient power to check
n IT,
most of the task on the United States
Thus il is that the distracted internal con-
dition Of the State of Nicaragua has made 1t
incumbent on me to appeal to the good faith
of our citizens to abstain from unlawful in
teryention in its affairs, and to adopt pre-
yentiye measures to the same end, which, on
a similar occasion, had the best results in
rcassuring the peace of the Mexican States
of Sonora and Lower California.
TREATIES.
IL sc tran ~ |