Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-01-11

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the regular cooperation of'Bntish Of
ticers. civil and military, some in the
Moth American provinces. and some
In the United States. The completely
Of those officers in IA undertaking.
which could only be accomplished by
defying our laws. throwing suspicion
over our attitude Of neutrality, and
disregarding our territorial rights. Is
conclusively proved by the evidence
elected on the trial OF such OF their
agents as have been apprehended and
convicted. Some Of the officers thus
implicated are Of high official position.
and many Of them beyond our jur-
isdiction, so that legal proceedings
could not reach the source Of the
mischief. s5t.
These considerations, and the fact,
that the cause vf complaint was, not a
nere casual occurrence, but a delib-
era;e design. entered upon with full
knowledge of our laws and national
policy. and conducted by responsible
public .functionaries, impelled me to
present the case to the British govern
mcnt, In order to secure, not only a
cessation OF the wrong. but its repara-
ton. The SUBJECTS still under dis
cussion, the result Of which will be
communicated to you in due time.
british RELATIoSs--coNrINUE
Irepeat the recommendation sub
mitted to the last Congress. that pro-
vision be made for the appointment Of
a commissioner. in connection with
Great Britain, to survey and establish
the boundary line, which divides the
Territory Of Washington from the
contiguous British possessions. By
reason OF the extent and importance OF
the country in dispute. there has been
imminent danger Of collision between
the subjects OF Great Britain and the
citizens of the United States, includ-
ing their respective authorities in that
quarter. The prospect Of speedy
arrangement has contributed hitherto
to induce on both sides for0earance to
assert by force what each claims as a
right. Continuance of delay on the
1 part of the Two governmental to act in
the matter will increase the dangers
and difficulties of the controversy.
Misunderstanding exists as to the
extent. character, and value Of the
possesscry rights of the Hudson's
Bay Company and the property Of the
Puget's Sound Agricultural Company
reserved in our treaty with Great
Britain relative to the Territory ol
Oregon. / have reason to believe
that cession Of the rights of bClh
companies to the United States, which
would be the readiest means of ter
minating all questions, can be oh
tained on reasonable terms. and with
view TO this end, present the sub
ject to the attention to Congress.
The colony of Newt midland, bav
ing enacted the lawn required by tn,
treaty of the 9th of June. 1854, is nov
placed on the same footing, in respec
to commercial intercourse with ths
1 United States, as the other British
North American Provinces,
The commission. which that treat,
contemplated. for determining thu
rights Of fishery in the mouths Of riv
ers on the coasts Of the United States
and the British North American Prov
inces, has been organized and ha
commenced its labors; to complet'
which, there is needed further appro
priations for the service of another sea
son.
SOUND DUES.
I In pursuance Of the authority. con
ferred by a resolution Of the Senate 0
the United States; passed on the Sd o
March last, notice was given to Den
mark, on the l4th day Of April, Q
the intention Of this government L
avail itself Of the stipulation of tn
subsisting convention Of friendship
commerce and navigation between
that Kingdom and the United States
whereby either party might after tel
years, terminate the same ofthe expi
ration of one year from the date Of no
tice for that pnspose.
u The considerations, which led m
, to call the attention of Congress. b
that convention, and induced the Sen
ate to adopt the resolution referre
TO, still continue in full force. Th
convention contains an article, which
although it does not directly engag
+ the United States to submit to the i'm
/, position of tolls on the vessel an
, cargoes of America MS passing into Q
E from the Baltic sea, during the contin
uance of the treaty, yet may, by possi
! bility, be construed as implying sue
! submission. The exaction of thos
/ tolls not being justified by any princi
1 pie of international law, it became th
right and the duty of the Unite
. States to relirve themselves from th
implicasion of engagement on th
subject, SO as to De perfectly free to &C
in the premises in such way as thei
E public interests and honor shall d,
( mand.
: remain Of the opinion that th
United States ought not to submit {
] the payment Of Sound dues, not
much because of the amount. which
i a secondary matter. but because it
: in effect the recognition Of the right {
4 Denmark to treat one of the grea
maritime highways Of nations us
i close sea. and the navigation oft as
S privilege for which tribute may be in
J. posed upon those who have occasio
j TO use it. tir
G This government, on former occs
> sion not unlike the present signalize
7 its determination to maintain th
d freedom Of the seas. and of the gres
= natural channels of navigation. Th
J. Barbary States had, for long tint
d cocrced the payment Of tribute frol
all nations, whose ships frequeute
J. the Mediterranean. To the last dt
c mand ofsuch payment made by then
4 the United States, although sufferin
Al = A A u :. :.