Weekly flag of the Union. (Jackson, Miss.) 185?-18??, 1857-12-23

,f cept that Of Spain, our relations are as pcac,
$ ful as We could desire. regret TO say tha
4 no progress whatever has been made, sine
d the adjournment of Congress- toward the sci
0 tlement Of any Of the numerous claims Of on
citizens against the Spanish government
Besides, the outrage committed on our fla,
by the Spanish war-frigate Ferrolana on IN,
$ nigh seas, oil the coast Of Cuba, In March
1855 by firing into the American mail steam
er I'll Dorado. and detaining and searching
her, remains sunaeknoBlcdgean and unredressed
The general tone and temper of the Spanish
government towards that of the United States
are much to be regretted. Our present en-.
yoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentia.
! ry to Madrid has asked to be recalled and
1t is my purpose to send out new minister
to Spain, with special instructions ON all cues
tons pending between the two governments,
and with determination to have them speed.
ily and amicably adjusted, if this be possible.
In the meantime, whenever our minister urpes
the just claims of our cNizens on the notice
OF the Spanish government, he is met with
the objection tbs Congress hasa nee. -s.I.
the appropriation recommended iby President
Polk in his annual message of December
l647, Ito be paid to the Spanish government
Tor the purpose of distribution among the
claimants in the Armistad case" A similar
Recommendation was made by his immediate
predecessor in hismessage of December, 1843 !:
and entirely concurring with both in the opin-
ION that this indemnity is justly due under
the treaty with Spain on the 9th October,
li95, l earnestly recommend an appropria.
ton to the favorable consideration of Con-
gress.
A treaty OF friendship and commerce was
concluded at Constantinople on the 18th De-
cember, 1856, between the United States and
Persia, the ratifcations of which were ex-
changed at Constantinople on the 18th of
June, 1857, and the treaty was proclaimed
by the President on the 18th of August, 1857.
This treaty, it is believed, will prove 'benefci-
al to American commerce. The Shah has
manifested an earnest disposition to cultivate
friendly relations with our country, and has
expressed strong wish that We should be
represented at Tehcran by Minister Pleni-
potentiary, and [ recommend that an appro
priation be made for this purpose.
Recent occurrences in China have been un-
favorable to revision of the treaty with that
empire of July, 1914, with view to the Sc
curity and extension of our commerce. The
24th article of this treaty stipulated for
revision of it, in case experience should prove
this to be requisite "in which case the two
governments viii, at the expiration of twelve
years from the date of said convention, treat
amicably concerning the same, by means Of
suitable persons appointed to conduct such
negotiations"
These twelve years expired on the Sd of
July, 1856, but long before that period it |
was asccrtained that important changes in |
the treaty were necessary; and several fruit |
less attempts were made by the commission
er OF the United States to affect these chan
ges.
Another effort was about to be made for !
the same purpose by our commissioner, in I
conjunction with the ministers Of England and I
4 tAsz.eA sisz I - -sxcstr-@l
rence q hostilitics IN ihe Canton river be-
tween Great Britain andthe Chinese Empire.
These hostiiities have necessarily Interrupt 4
ted the trade of all nations with Canton,
which IS nov in a state of blockade, and have
oceasloned a serious loss of life and property.
Meanwhile the insurrection within the empire
against the existing imperial dynasty still
continues, and it is difficult to anticipate what
will be the result.
Under these circumstances I have deemed
it advisable to appoint distinguished citizen
of Pennsylvania Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenpotentiary to proceed to China,
and avail himself of any opportunities which
may offer to effect changes in the existing
treaty favorable to American commerce He
left the United States for the place of his
destination in July last, in the war steamer ;
Minnesota. Special Ministers to China have /.
.lso been appointed by the governments of
Great Britain and France :
Whilst our minister has been instructed to /
occupy neutral position in reference to the ;
existing hostilties at Canton, he will cordial )
y cooperate with the British and French !,
in all peaceful measures to secure
~ treaty stipulatious those just concessions !;
o commerce which the nations of the world !.
lave right to expect, and which China can !.
lot long be permitted to withhold. !;
From assurance received, entertain no i
loubt that the three ministers will act in har-
nonious concert to obtain similar commercial !,
reaties for each Of the powers they represent. d
We cannot fail to feel a deep interest in D
II that concerns the welfare of the indepen- O
lent republics on our own continent, as we'll Il
s of the empire Of Brazil C
Our difficulties with New Grenada, which e
short time since bore so threatening an as
'ect are, it is to be hoped, in fair train of Il
in a manner just and honorable to f
10Th parties. d
The Isthmus of Central 1snerica, including Fl
r
he Atlantic and Pacific, over which a large 81
ortion of the commerce of the world is destin- N
d to pass. The United States are more Deep Il
y interested than any other nation in preserv- &
ng the freedom and security Of any other 81
ation across this Isthmus. It is our duty,
therefore,, to take care that they shall not be a
either by invasions from our own tc
ountry or by wars between the Independent tc
'tates Of Central America. al
Under our treaty with New Grenada Of the III
9th December, 1916, we are bound to guar D,
iley the neutrality Of the Isthmus Of Panama, I,
through which the Panama railroad passes lel
as well as the rights of sovereignty and
roperty which New Grenada has and pos Of
esses over the said territory" This obliga- pl
ion is founded upon equivalents granted by Il
he treaty to the government and people Of Ii,
he United States. 81
Under these circumstances. | recommend te
, Congress- the passage Of an act authorizing ii,
ae President, in case of necessity, to employ q
he land and naval forces of the United States al
, carry into effect this guaranty Of neutrality Of
nd protection. also recommend similar ri,
.gislation for the security Of any other route ST
cross the 1sthmns IN which We may acquire co
d interest BY. treaty. I'll
With tho independent republics on this TO
,ntinent il is both our duty and our interest &C
cultivate the most friendly relations We 81
9, ,,nror. fnnl indifEnrnnt fn flns Ga al e