Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-12-19


the ports of the United States upon the
same terms with our own vessels, provided
they would reciprocate to US similar advan-
tages. This act confined the reciprocity to
the productions Of the respective foreign
nations who might enter into the proposed
arrangement with the United States. The
act of May %, 1928, removed this rcstrlc-
ton, and offered similar reciprocity to
ali such vessels without reference to the
origin of their cargoes. Upon these prin'
ciples, our commercial treaties and arrange
ments have been founded, except with
France; and let us hope that this exception
may not long exist,
Our relations with Russia remain, as
they have ever been, on the most friendly
footing. The present Emperor, as well as
his predecessors, have never failed, when
the occasion offered, to manifest their good
will to our country; and their friendship
has always been highly appreciated by the
government and people of the United
STATES.
With all other European governments,
except that Of Spain, our relations are as
peaceful as we could desire. l regret to
say that no progress whatever has been
made, since the adjournment of Congress,
towards the settlement of any of the nu-
merous claims of our citizens against the
Spanish government. Besides, the outrage
committed on our flag by the Spanish war
frigate Ferrolana, on the high seas, off the
coast of Cuba, in March, 1855, by firing
into the American Mail Steamer, El Dora
do, and OBTAINING and searching, remains
unacknowledg ged and unredressed. The
general tone and temper of the Spanish
government towards that Of the United
States are much to be regretted. Our
present envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipoentiR to Madrid has asked to be
recalled; and it is my purpose to send out
new minister to Spain, with special in
sructions on ell questions pending between
the two governments, and with a determi-
nation to have them speedily and amic ably
adjusted, if this be possible. In the mean
+ time, whenever our minister urges the just
claims Of our citizens on The notice of tht
! Spanish government, he is met with thu
, objection that Congress have never mad
= the appropriation recommended by Presi
, dent Polk, in his annual message Of De
cember, lsA7, "to be paid to the SPANS
v government for the purpose of distribute
!, Hruong the claim ants in the Amistad case.
b A similar recommendation was made b
o my immediate predecessor in his messag
:, of December, 1853; and entirely concurrin
d with both in the opinion that this indemnit
: is Justly due under the treaty with Spai
S Of the 9th October, 1795, earnestly re
: commend such an appropriation to tn
C favorable consideration of Congress.
4 A treaty of friendship and commcrc
n was concluded at Copstantinople on III
= 18th December, $50, between the Unite
J, States and Persia, the ratifcasions of whic
5 were exchanged at Constantinople on tn
18th June, 1857, and The treaty was pre-
. claimed by the President on the lSt
E August, 1857. This treaty, it is believed
f will prove beneficial to American commerc
e The Shah has manifested an earnest dis
}. position to cultivate friendly relations wit
our country, and has expressed stron
a wish that we should be represented
J, Toheran by minister plenipotentiary
and recommend that an appropriation
1t made for this purpose.
y Recent occurrences in China have bee
y unfavorable to a revision Of the treaty wi
: that empire of the Sd July, 1874, with
y view to the security and extension of OF
d commerce. The 21 article OF this trea'
&c stipua ed for revision Of it, in case exp
II ricncc should prove this to be requisite
d "in which case the two governments wi
n at the expiration of twelve years from ii
'e date of said Convention, treat amicabI
N concerning the same, by means of suitab
persons appointed to conduct such negoti
e tons" These twelve years expired on Il
ID 3D. July, 1856; but long before that peric
~ it was ascertained that important chang
m in the treaty were necessary; and sever
lie fruitless attempts were made by the con
al missioner of the United States to effe
to these changes. Another effort was abor
es to be made for he same purpose by OIL
commissioner, in conjunction with Il
| ministers of England and France, but th
te was suspended by the occurrence of host
al lites in the Canton river between Gre
" Britain and the Chinese Empire. The
a. hotlities have necessarily interrupted Il
is trade of all nations with Canton, which
,e now in state Of blockade, and have o,
t. casioned serious loss Of life aud propert
er Meanwhile the insurroction within &
l empire against the existing imperial d,
n, nasty still continues, and it is difficult
anticipate what will be the result.
of Under these circumstances, | have deer
be ed it advisable to appoint Distinguish
n. citizen of Pennsylvania envoy extraordina
d, and minister plenipotentiary 10 proceed
IS China, and to avail himself of any oppo
IL tuni les which may offer to effect chang
be in the existing treaty favorable to Americ
c. commerce. He left the United States
te the place of his destination in July last
,st the war steamer Minnesota. Special mi
to isters to China have also been appoinI
of by the governments Of Great Britain a
ial France.
an Whilst our minister has been instruc.
Ter to occupy neutral position in refercn
los m the eyisfinr hOStilitieS Mt Canton he "