The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-18
VOLUME XIII-NUMBER 81


similar reciprocity to all such vessels with
out reference TO the origin Of their car.
goes. Upon these principles our COM
mercial treaties and arrangements have
been founded, except with France; and
let US hope that this exception may not
long exist.
Our relations with Russia remain, a.
they have ever been, on the most friendly
footing. The present Emperor, as well
as his predecessor, have never failcd, when
the occasion Offered, to manifest their
good will to our country; and their friend.
ship has always been highly appreciated
by the government and people Of tho
United States.
With all other European governments
except that Of Spain, our relations are as
peaceful as VIC could desire. l regret to
say that no progress whatever has been
made, since the adjournment Of Congress,
toward the settlement Of any Of the nu.
merous claims Of our citizens against the
Spanish government. Besides, the out
rage committed on our flag by the Span.
ish war frigate Ferrolano on the high
seas. off the coast Of Cuba, in March,
1855, by firing into the American mail
steamer FL Dorado, and OBTAINING and
searching her, remain unacknowlcdgcd
and uhredrcssed. The general tone and
temper of the Spanish government to-
wards that Of the United States are
much to be regretted. Our present En-.
voy Extraordinary and Minister Plcnipo-
Tertiary to Madrid has asked to be re-
called and it is my purpose to send out
a new Minister to Spain, with special in.
structions on all questions pending be-
tween the two governments, and with
determination to have them speedily and
amicably adjusted, ifthis be possible. In
the meantime, whenever our Minister urg-
es the just claims Of our citizens on the
notice of the Spanish government, he is
met with the objection that Congress had
never made the appropriation recon.
menced by President Polk in his annual
message Of December, 1871, ITO be paid
to the Spanish government for the pur-
pose Of distribution among the claimants
in the Amistad case" 4 similar recon-
mcndation was made by my immediate
predecessor in his message Of December,
1853; and entirely concurring with both
in the opinion that this indemnity is just
ly due under the treaty with Spain Of the
9th October, 1895, | earnestly recon-
mend such an appropriation to the favor
able consideration of Congress.
TREATY WITH PERSIA.
A treaty Of friendship and commerce
was concluded at Constantinople on the
18th of December, 1856, between the
United States and Persia, the ratifcations
Of which were exchanged at Constantine
pie on the 18th Of June, 1857, and the
treaty was proclaimed by the President
on the 18th August, 1857. This treaty,
it is believed, will prove beneficial to
American commerce. The Shah has man.
ifested an earnest disposition to cultivate
friendly relations with our country, and
has expressed strong wish that We should
be represented at Tcheran by minister
plenipotcntiary; and recommend that
an appropriation be made for this pur-
pose.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Recent occurrences in China have been
unfavorablc to a revision Of the treaty
with that empire of the Sd Of July, 1874,
with view to the security and extension
Of our commerce. The twenty.fourth ar
ticlc of this treaty stipulated for revision
Of it in case experience should prove this
to be requisite, "in which case the two
governments will, at the expiration of
twelve years from the date Of said con-
vcntion, treat amicably concerning the
same, by means Of suitable persons ap-
pointed to couduct such negotiations."-
These twelve years expired on the Sd Of
July, 1856; but long before that period
It was ascertaincd that important changes
in the treaty were necessary; and several
fruitless attempts were made by the Com
missioner Of the United States TO effect
these changes. Another effort was about
to be made for the same purpose by our
Commissioner, in conjunction with the
Ministers Of England and France, but this
was suspended by the occurrence Of hos
tilities in the Canton river between Great
Britain and the Chinese empire. These
hostilitics have necessarily interrupted the
trade of all nations with Canton, which is
now in a state of blockade, and have oc-
casioncd u serious loss Of life and proper
IT,. Meanwhile the insurrcction within
the empire against the existing imperial
dynasty still continues, and il is difficult
to anticipate what will be the result.
Under these circumstances, have
deemed it advisable to appoint distin-
giished citizen Of Pennsylvania envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary
to proceed 10 China, and to avail himself
Of any opportunities which may offer to
effect changes in the existing treaty fay.
orablc to American commerce. He left
the United States for the place Of his des-
tinatian in July last in the war steamer
Minnesota. Special ministers to China
have also been appointed by the govern
ments Of Great Britain and France.
Whilst our minister has been instructed
to occupy neutral position in reference
to the existing hostilities at Canton, he
will cordially co operate with the British
and French ministers in all peaceful mea-
surcs to secure, by treaty stipulations,
those just concessions to commerce which
the nations Of the world have q right to
expect, and which China cannot long be
permitted to withhold. From assurances
received, entertain no doubt that tho
three ministers will act in harmonious
concert to obtain similar commercial trca-
ties for each Of the powen they represent.
SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICAN AYYAIRs.
We cannot fail to feel deep interest
in all that concerns the welfare Of the in
dcpcndcnt rcpublica on our own continent