Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-01-09

mark does not offer to submit to the conycn-
ton the question of her right to levy the
sound dues A second is, that, if the con-
vention were allowed to take cognlzance of
that particular question. still it would not be
competent to deal with the great international
principle involved, which Affects the right in
other cases OF navigation and commercial free
dom, as well as that of access to the Baltic.
Above all, by the express terms of the prop
osition it is contemplated, tnat the cousidera-
ton of the sound dues shall be commingled
with, and made subordinate to, q matter
wholly extraneous, the balance of power
among the governments of Europe.
While. however, rejecting this proposition,
and insisting on the right of free transit into
and from the Baltic, have expressed to
Denmark willingness. on the part of the
United States. to share liberally with other
powers in eompeusating her for any advauts-
ges which commerce shall hereafter derive
from expenditures made by her for the im-
provemcnt and safety of the navigation of the
Sound or Belts.
lay before you, herewith, sundry docu-
ments on the subject, in which my views are
more fully disclosed. Should no satisfactory
arrangement be soon concluded, I shall again
call your attention to the subject, with recon-
mendation of such measures as may appear TO
be required. in order to assert and secure the
rights of the United States. SO far as they are
effected by the pretensions of Denmark.
FRANCE.
l announce, with much qualification, that,
since the adjournment of the last Congress,
the question. then existing between this Gcv-
ernment and that of France. respecting the
French consul at San Francisco, has been sat
isfactorily determined. and that the relations
=. IL L Al.
most friendly nature.
aREEcK
A question. also. which has been pending
for several years between the United States
and the Kingdom of Greece, growing out of
the sequestration, BY public authorities of that
country, of property belonging to the preseu.
American consul at Athens. and which had
been the subject of very earnest discussion
heretofore. has recently been settled to the
satisfaction OF the party interested. and Of
| both governments.
With Spain, peaceful relations are still
maintained, and some progress has been made
in securing the redress of wrongs complained
of by this Government. Spain has not only
disavowed and disapprcved the conduct of
the officers who illegally seized and detained
the steamer Black Warrior at Havana, but
has also paid the sum claimed as indemnity
for the loss thereby inflicted on citizens of the
United States.
In consequence of destructive hurricane
which visitetlL 44v-.As-sa%=s=.s-aa--
thority of that island issued decree. permit
ting the importation. for the period Of SIX
months, of certain building materials and pro-
visions. free of duty, but revoked it when
about half the period only had elapsed. to the
injury of the citizens of the United States
who had proceeded to act on the faith of that
decree. The Spanish government refused in
Identification to the parties aggrieved until
recently, when it was assented to. payment
being promised to be made SO soon as the
amount due can be ascertained.
Satisfaction claimed for the arres. and
search Of the steamer Ell Dorado has not yet
been accorded, nut there is reason to believe
that it will be, and that case, with others. con-
tinucs to be urged on the attention of the
Spanish Government. do not abandon the
hope of concluding with Spain some general
arrangement, which, if it do not wholly pre-
vent the recurrence of difficulties in Cuba,
will render them less frequent, and whenever
! they shall occur, faciliyate their more SPECIFY
settlement
MEXICO.
The interposition of this government has
been invoked by many of its citizens. on
count of injuries doie 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 consideration to
claims of private reparation, and has appeared
to call for and justify some forbearance in
such matters on the part of this government.
But, if the revolutionary movements, which
have lately occurred in that republic, end in
the organization of stable government, ur-
gent appeals to its justice viii then be made,
and, it 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 considerations,
have peculiar relations to this government.
| while it has been my constant aim strictly TO
Observe all the obligations of political friend
ship and of good neighborhcod, obstacles to
this have arisen in some of them, from their
own insufficient power to check lawless irrup-
tions, which in effect throws most of the task
| on the United States Thus it is that the
distracted internal condition of the State of
Nicaragua has made it incumbent or me to
appeal to the good faith of our citizens to b.
stain from unlawful intervention in its Affairs,
and to adopt preventive measures TO the same
! end. which, on similar occasion, had the
| best results in reassuring the peace Of the
Mexican States of Sonoro and Lower Cali
fornia.
TREATIES.
Since the last session of Congress n treaty
| of amity, commerce and navigation. and for
| the surrender of fugitive criminals, with the
kingdom of the Two Sicilies; treaty of
friendship, commerce and navigation with