Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17

ian by which Great Bri,ian shall have ceded
and the republic Of Honduras shall have ac-
cepted, the said Islands, subject to the provi-
sions and conditions contained in such treaty
This proposition was, of course, rejected. -
After the Senate had refused to recognize the
British Convention with Honduras Of the 9th
of August, 1856 with fnll knowledge of its
contents, it was impossible for me, necessarily
ignorant Of " the provisions and conditions y
which might he contained in a future conven-
ton between the same parties, to sanctio.
them in advance.
The fact is that when two nations like Great
Britain and the United States. mutually desi
rouS, as they are, aud, trust may be, Of main
tanning the most friendly relations with each
other, have unfortunately concluded treaty
which they understand in sense directly oppo-
site, the wisest course is to abrogate such
treaty by mutual consent, aud 10 commence
anew. Had this been done promptly, all dfi
entities in Central America would most proba-
bly, ere this have been adjusted to the satisfac
tion of both parties The time spent in dis
cussing the meaning of the Clayton aud Bu-
wer treaty would have been devoted TO this
praiseworthy purpose, and the task wouid have
been the more easily accomplished because the
interest of the two countries in Central Amer
lea is identical, being confined to securing safe
transts over all the routes across the IsthmUs.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments, shall
nevertheless not refuse 10 contribute 10 any
reasonable adjustment Of the Central Ameri-
can questions which is 10; practically inconsis
tent with the American Interpretation Of the
treaty. Overtures for this purpose have been
recently made BY the British Government in a
friendly spirit, which cordially reciproeate :;
but whether this renewed effort will result in
success am not vet prepared to express an
opinion. A brief period will determine.
With France oar ancient relations OF friend
ship still continue TO exist The French Gov
ernment have in several recent Instances.
which need not be enuner sted, evinced q spir-
it of good will and kindness towards our coun-
try which heartily reciprocate. 1t is, not
withStanding, much TO be regretted that two
nations, whose productions are of such a char
acter as TO invite the most extensive exchanges
and freest commercial intercourse. should con-
tnue 20 enforce ancient and absoete restric-
tions of trade against each other. Our com
mercial treaty with France is in this respect
an exception from our treaties with all other
commercial nations. Il jealously evies DIS
eliminating duties both on tonnage and on arti-
tcies, tie growth, produce. or manufacture O.:
the one country. when arriving in vessels be-
longing TO the other.
More than forty years ago, on the Sd Of
March, 1877, Congress passed an act Offering
70 all nations 70 admit their -csscls laden with
their national productions into the ports of
the United States upon the SAME terms with
our own vessels, provided they would recipro-
cate TO IS similar advantages Th act Coufn-
ed the reciprocity TO the productions OF the res
pcctive foreign nations who might enter into
the proposed arrangement with the United
States the act OF May "a, lS2S, removed
this restriction, and Offered similar rec;proc-
ty 10 all such vessels without reference TO
the origin OF their cargoes. Upon these prin
cp'eS, orr commercial treaties and arrange
mcntS have bee,. 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 we'll as his pTedeccs-
sors, have never tailed. when tie occasion Of
fered, to manifest their good will 10 our cola-
try and their friendship has always Ueen
highly appreciated hy the Government and
the people Of the CniteI States
With all other European Governments. cx-
cept that Of Spain, our relations are as PEA, g
ful as ne conlI desire. | regret 70 say that
no progress whatever has been made, since the
Adjournment of Congress. towards the settle
meRt Of any of the numerous claims OF our ciii-
Gems against the Spanish Government Be
sides, the outrage committed on cur fig by tie
Spanish war-frgate E:rroiIRg on tie hgn seas
of Cuba. in March. 1885. by firing into the
mail steamer Ei pgraIc, and decaiaiag and
searching her, remains unacknow edged ar !
uureGTeesed- The general tone and temper o.
the Spanish G0TeFumeat towards that of the
United States are mlch 10 be regretted =
Oar present Envoy extraordinary au minister
plenjpo;entiary 10 Madrid has asked 20 ba re
called and it is now my pnrpose to send out
4 new Minister tc Spain. with Speciai iu>tEac
tjonS On all questions pending between the t~o
Governments, and with q determination TO
have them speedily ani anlicaby ai.uste,l. #
this he pcssitie In the Tesu,iIne. whsne7er
our Munster urges the jus: claims o: cur cj,i-
zens on the notice of the Spanish Govern aent
he is net With the objection that Congress have
never made the appropriation recommended by
PreSileu: PoLz in h:s annual raeS>e-e of n.-
ccm6er. lsiT. &c be paid 10 the Spau.si,
Government: for the purpose Of distribute 4
among the claimants in the Am,s;al case. =
\ similar T, comIen iat.o7 vas nsde b7 nv
immediate predecessor in his Message Of D.
cernber. 1853 and entirely ccncc-iHg with
both in the opinion tina, this iHtenn;iy is Just
Iy due under the treaty wi,h Spain OF Oc,o-
tar q. 1895, ] earnestly recommend such aH
Congress.
A treaty OF friendship and commerce vas
concluded at Cou>taRsiaopie OF the 18th Q:
December. 1856, between the United States
aud Persia, the ratihcatiorls of which were ex-
changed =. Cons,an.inople OF :te 18th o.
June. 1857, and the treaty was proclaimed ~