New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-01

,nny nv positllity, he construed " implying such
submissiop. The eiscoon OF tics "s not bong JUST
~ shf and The duty Of the United stsie to relieve
,lps.lyes from the implication OF Engagement on the
h;ec, 40 az 10 be- perfectly free 10 act IN the prem
i,c: in such way their pubic interests and honor
remnin of the opinion tht the United States ought
M, "a submit the payne mt " the Sound Dses not
o much because of their amount, which IS secondary
matter hut because il IS effect the recognition OF the
riebt 81 Denmark 10 treat of the great maritime
highways Of nations close sea, and the Navigation
Of II a. privilege for which tribute may be imposed
upon those who have occasion 10 use II. -.
This Government, on former occasion not unnke
the present sigualizcd It's determination to MAINTAIN
TIN freedom of the seas and Of the great natural chan
pes of navigation. The Barbay Stetes had tor long
time coerced the payment OF rloue from al I'd On
whose ships frequented the Mediterranean. 10 the
last demand Of such payment made by them the united
States although suffering less by their deprcdeions
than many other nations returned the exphclt answer
that we lrefeed tribute, and thus opened the way
10 the reet of the commerce OF the WORM iio an Y
nOmnous tax 20 long suOmitteu to ny '' "io'o Po"'
full nations of Europe.
II the manner Of payment OF Sound Dues d1er rom
that of the tribute formerly conceded 10 the barDary
States, still their exaction by Denmark has no oe'ter
foundation in right. Each was in its origin, nothing
but a tax on common natural night, exfoted by
those who were at that time able TO obstruct the tree
and enjoyment of IT, but who 10 longer possess
that power. rn
N
dom of the Baltic Sound and Belts has indicated
readiness 10 make some new arrangement on me SUD
iect and has invited the Governments interested, IN
GLIDING the United States to be represented IN Con,
yention 10 assemble for the purpose Of receiving ana
considering proposition which she intends to submit
for the capitalization of the Sound Dues ana the u.s.
tributon OF the TO be paid as Communication among
the Governments according to the respective proper
tions of their maritime commerce 70 ana nom the
Baltic. have declined in behalf Of the United States
10 accent this invitation for the most cogent reasons
One is that Denmark does not offer 10 submit 10 the
Convention the question of her night to levy the Sound
Dues. A second Is, that, II the convention were u
lowed TO take cogDizance Of that particular question,
still il would not be competent TO deal with the great
inerna -ona principle involved which affects the night
in other Of navigation and commercial freedom
as well as that of access 10 the Baltic ABOVE al, ny
the EXPRESS terms of the proposition il is contemplated
that the consideration Of the Sound Dues shall be com
mingled with. and made subordinate TO, matter
wholly extraneous, the balance of power among the
Governments of Europe.
While however, rejecting this proposition, and in
ssting 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 literally with
other powers in compromising her for any advantages
which commerce shall hereafter derive from expendl-
lures made by her for the Improvement and safety OF
ne navigation of the Sound or Belts.
lay before you, herewith sundry documents on the
subject in which my views are more fully disclosed.
Should no satisfactory arrangement be concluded,
| shall again call your attention TO the subject, with
recommendation of such measures may appear to
be required in order assert and the rights Of
the United States, far as they affected by the
pretensions of Denmark.
FRANCE.
announce with much qualification that, since the
adjournment of the last Congress- the question then
existing between this Government and that of France,
respecting the French Consul at San Francisco, has
been satisfactorily determined, and that the relations
of the two Governments continue TO be Of the most
friendly nature.
GREECE.
question also which las been pending for several
wears 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 present American Consul at Athens, and which
had been the subject of very earnest discussion here
tofore has recently been settled to the s"tisocion oil
the party interested and of both Governments.
SPAIN.
With Spain, peaceful relations still maintained,
and some progress has been made i'll securing the
dress of the wrongs complained of by this Government
. Spain has not only disavOwed and disapprOved the
conduct of the officers who Illegally seized and detained
the steamer Black Warrior at Havana, but has also
paid the sum claimed indemnity for the loss thereby
inflicted on citizens of the United States.
In consequence of destructive hurricane which
visited Cuba in 1874, the supreme authority of that
island issued decree permitting the Importation for
the period u months of certain building materials
and provisions, free of duty, but revoked 1t when
about half the period only had elapsed, TO the injury
of the citizens of the United States who had pro-
ceeded to act the faith of that decree The Spanish
Government refused indemnihcatioD to parties az
grieved until recently, when il was asscned to, pay
ment being promised to be made the amount
due can be ascertaned
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and search of the
steamer FL Dorado has not yet been accorded but there
is every to believe that will be- ana that
with others continues to be urged on the attention of
the Spanish Government. do not abandon the hope OF
concluding with Spain some general arrangement,
which, if do not wholly prevent the recurrence of dit
fculties in Cuba, will render them less frequent, and
whenever they shall occur facilitate their speedy
settlement
MEXICO.
The interposition of this Government has been in
voked by many of its citizens, account OF injuries
done TO their persons and property for which the Mex
lean 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 reparatOn, and has appeared to call for and
Justify orbearance in such matters on the part OF
this Government. But if the revolutionary move.
ments, which have lately occurred in that republic,
end in the organization OF stable government, urgent
appeals to its justice will then be made, aud, 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 considerations have peculiar
relations to this Government, while il has been my
constant sim strictly TO observe all the obligations of
political friendship and of good neghborhood obstacles
to this have arisen in some of them, from their own in
sufficient power to check lawless iruptions, which, in
effect throws most of the task on the United States.
Thus il il that the distracted internal condition of the
State of Nicaragua has made il incumbent on me to
appeal to the good faith of our citizens to abstain
from unlawful intervention in its affairs, and to adopt
preventive measures to the same end, which, on sim
sr OCCASION had the best results in reasSuring the
peace of the Mexican States of Sonora and Lower Cal
Ifornia.
TREATIES
Since the last session of Congress treaty OF amitv,
commerce and navigation and for the surrender of fu
otiYe criminals with the KINGDOM OF the Two SciLes: