Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-05
the result of which will be communicated to

/ repeat the recommendation submitted to
the last Congress, that provision be made for
the appointment of commissioner, in connec-
ton with Great Britain, to survey and estab-
fish the boundary line, which divides the ter
ritory 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, including their
respective authorities in that quarter. The
prospect of speedy arrangement has contrib
uted hitherto to indnce on both sides forbear-
ance to assert by force what each claims as
right. Continuance of delay on the part OF
the two governments to act in the matter, will
increase the dangers and difficulties of the con-
troversy.
Misunderstanding exists as to the extent,
character, and value of the possessory rights of.
the Hudson's Bay Company and the property
of the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company,
reserved 10 our treaty with Great Britain rela-
tive to the Territory OF Oregon. | have rea-
son to believe that q cession OF rights of both
companies to the United States, which would
be the readiest means of terminating ell ques-
tions, can be obtained on reasonable terms;
and with q view to this end, present the sub
iect to the attention Of Congress.
ted the laws required by the treaty of the 9th
of June, 1854, is now placed on the same
footing, in respect 10 commercial intercourse
with the United States, as the other British
North American provinces.
The commission, which that treaty cOntempla-
ted for determining the rights OF fishery in rivers
and mouths of rivers on the coasts of the United
States and the British North American prOvin-
ces, has been organized and has commenced its
I IL. H. ., inI fa-
ther appropriations for the service of another
season.
SOUND DUES.
In pursuance of the authority conferred by
resolution of the senate of the United States.
passed the Sd of March last, notice was 81 ven
to Denmark, on the 18th day OF April, of the in
tention of tets government to avail itself of the
stipulation Of the subsisting convention of friend
ship, commerce, and navigation between that
Kingdom and the United States, whereby either
party might, after ten years, terminate the same
at the expiration of one year from the date of
notice for that purpose.
The considerations which led me to call the
attention OfCongress TO that convention, and in
duced the Senate to adopt the resolution referred
to, still continue in full force. The convention
contains an article, which, although it does not
directly engage the Uuited States to submit to
the imposition of tolls on the vessels and car
goes of Americans passing into or from the Bal
tic sea, during the continuance Of the treaty yet
may, by possibility, be construed as implying
such submission. The eXactiOn of those tolls not
being justified by any principle of international
law, it became the right and the duty of the
United States to relieve themselves from the i'm
pllcatiOn of engagement on the subject, so as to
be perfectly free to act in the premises in such
way as their public interests and honor shall de-
mald.
remain of the opinion that the United States
ought not to submit to the payment of Sound
dues, not SO much because OF the amount, which
is a secondary matter, but because it is in effect
the recognition of the right of Denmark to treat
one Of the great maritime highways of nations
as close sea, and the navigation OF it as priv
| ilege for which tribute may be imposed upon
| those who have occasion to use it.
This government, on former occasion not I'M
| like the present, signalized its determination to
maintain the freedom of the seas, and of the
! great natural channels of navigation. The Bar
| barry States had, for long time, coerced the
! payment of tribute from all nations whose ships
! trequented the Mediterranean. To the last de-
nand OF such payment made by them, the Uni
ed States, although suffering less by their dep
| relations than many other nations, returned the
explicit answer, that we preferred war to tribute,
and thus opened the way to the relief of the com
merce of the world from an ignominiOus tax, 50
long submitted to by the far more powerful ma
| tons of Europe.
differ from that OF the tribute fnrmt rly conceded
! to the BaTbary States, still their eXactiOn by
! Denmark has no better foundation in right.
Each was in its origin nothing but tax on q
common natural right, extorted by those who
were at that time able to Gbstruct the free and
secure enjoyment Of it, but who no longer pos
| sess that power.
! Denmark, while resisting our assertion of the
| freedom of the Baltic Sound aud Belts has indi-
! Gated readiness to make some new arrange
ments on the subject, aud has invited the GO
vernments interested, including the u. States, 10
| be represented in a convention to assemble for
| the purpose of receiving and considering pro
| position. which she intends to submit, for the
| capitalization of the Sound dues, and the dstri-
button of the sum to be paid as Communication
among the governments, according to the res
| pectve proportions of their marine commerce to
and from the Baltic. | have declined in behalf
Of the T. States to accept this invitation, for the
most cogent reasons. One is, that Denmark does
not offer to submit To the convention the question
! of her right to levy the Sound dues. second
/ is, that If the convention were allowed to take
| cOgnZance OF that particular question. still il
would not be competent to deal with the great
international principle involved which affects
the right in other cases of navigation and com
mercal freedom, well that of access to the
Baltic Above all, by the express terms of the
proposition it is contemplated that the consider
| alton of the Sound dues shall be cOmniu gled
with, and made subordinate TO, a matter wholly
eXtraneous, the balance of power among the 90
yernments OF Europe.
While, however, rejecting this proposition, aud
insisting on the right of free transit into and
/ from the Baltic, have expressed to Denmark q
willingness on the part ol the United States, to
share literally with other powers in compensat-
| ing her for any advantages, which commerce
shall hereafter derive FROM expenditures made by
her for the Improvement and safety of the navi-
cation of the Sound and Belts.
lay before you, herewith, sundry documents
on the subject, in which my views are more ally
disclosed. Should no satisfactory arrangement
be soon concluded shall again call your atten.
ton 10 the subject with recommendation OF such
measures as may appear to be required in order
to assert aud secure the rights of the L. States
so far as they are affected by the pretensions o.
Denmark.
FRANCE.
announce with nurhgratifeation, that, sire
the adjournment of Congress, the question. theu
existing between this Government and that o.
France, respecting the French Consul at San Fran
cisco, has been sati,fa ory dst, rmined, aud thu,
the relations Of the two Governments continue 4
be of the most friendly nature.
GREECE.
question, also, which has been pending f,,
several years between the United States and the
Kingdom OF Greece, growing out OF the seQuestra
uOh, Oy puohc authorities OF that country, OF prop
erty belonging 10 the present American Consul a
Athens, aud which had been tue subject OF very
earnest discussion heretofore, has recently been
settled to the satisfaction OF the party interested
aud Of both Governments.
q SPAIN.
With Spain, peaceful relations are s,iIl maintain
ed, and some progress has been made in securing
the redress OF wrongs complained Of by this GOV
ernInent Spain has not only disavowed and ,lisa a.
proved the conduct OF the officers, who illegal,
seized aud detained the steamer Black Warrior al
Havana, but has also paid the sum claimed as in
demnity forthe loss thereby Unlisted on citizens O
the Unit d Sates.
Ia consequences OF destructive hurricane, whict