Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-16

lIN1As w GD4NGOC "a :
lar in all respects to the treaty which they hat
Just refused to ratfy, if the United States woult
consent to add to the Senate's clear and unequal
led recognition of the sovereignty of Honduras
over the Bay Islands the following conditiona
stipulation: "Whenever and so soon as the re
public of Honduras shall have concluded anc
ratified treaty with Great Britain, by which
Great Britain shall have ceGed, and the republic
of Honduras shall have accepted, the said islands
subject to the provision and conditions contain
ed in such treaty"
The proposition was, of course rejected. AT
ter the Senate had refused to recognise the Brit
ish convention with Honduras OF the 9th Au-
gust, 1856, with full knowledge of its contents,
it was impossible for Inc, necessarily ignorant Of
'.the provisions and conditions" which might be
contained in future convention between the
same parties, to sanction them in advance.
The fact is that when two nations like Great
Britain and the United States, mutually desrous,
as they are, and trust ever may be, of maintain
ing the most friendly relations with each other,
have unfortunately concluded a treaty which
they understand in senses directly opposite. the
wisest course is to abrogate such treaty by
mutual consent, and to commence anew. Had
this been done promptly, all difficulties in Gen.
tral America would most probably ere this have
been adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties.
The time spent in discussing the meaning OF the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty would have been de-
voted to this praisworthy purpose and the task
would have been the more easily accomplished
because the interest of the two countries in Cen
trail America is identical, being confined to Sc
curing safe transts over all the routes across the
| Isthmus.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments, shall nev-
ertheless not refuse to contribute to any reason
able adjustment of the Central America ques-
tions which is not practically inconsistent with
the American Interpretation of the treaty. O.
ventures for this purpose have been recently
made by the British government in a friendly
spirit, which cordially reciprocate; but wheth.
er this renewed effort will result in success am
not yet prepared to express an opinion. A brief
period will determine.
With France our ancient relations of friend
ship stil continue to exist. The French govern
ment have in several recent instances which need
not be enumerated, evinced spirit of good will
and kindness towards our country which hearth
ly reoiprooate. 1t Is, notwithstanding, much TO
be regretted that two nations whose productions
are of such a character as to invite the most ex-
tensive exchanges and freest commercial inter-
course, should continue to enforce ancient and
obsolete restrictions of trade against each other.
Our commercial treaty with France is in this re-
spect an exception from our treaties with all 9th.
er commercial nations. 1t tjealously levies dis
eliminating duties both on tonnage and on ar
tioles, the growth, prnduee, or manufacture Of
the one country, when arriving In vessels belong
ing to the other.
More than forty years ago, on the Sd of March,
1916, Congress passed an act offering to all ma
tions to admit their vessels laden with their ma
tional productions into the ports of the United
States upon the same terms with our own ves-
sells, provided they would reciprocate to US
similar advantages. This act confirmed the re-
ciprocity to the productions of the respective
foreign nations who might enter into the pro-
posed arrangement with the United States. The
act of May "a, 1928, removed this restriction,
and offered similar reciprocity to all such ves-
sells without reference to the origin of their car
goes. Upon these principles, our commercial
treaties and the arrangements have been found
ed, except with France; and lot 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 predeces-
sors, have never failed when the occasion offer
ed, to manifest their good will to our country;
and their friendship has always been highly ap-
preciated 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. | regret to say that no progress
whatever h9s been made, since the adjournment
of Congress, towards the settlement OF any OF
the numerous claims of our citizens against the
Spanish government. Besides the outrage CON-
mtted on our flag by the Spanish war-frigate
Ferrolsna on the high seas, oft the coast of Cuba,
in Msrch, 1854, by firing into the American mail
steamer Ell Dorado, and OBTAINING and searching
her, remains unacknowledged and unredressed.
The general tone and temper ofthe Spanish gov
ernment towards that OF the United States are
much to be regretted. Our present envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary to
Madrid has asked to be recalled and it is my
purpose to send out new minister to Spaln,
with special instructions oD all questions pending
between the two governments, and with de-
termination to have them speedily and amicably
adjusted, if this be possible. In the meantime,
whenever our minister urges the just claims of
our citizens on the notice OF the Spanish govern
ment. he is met with the objection that Congress
nave never lllduo Iilo apPioPAioVioh iSoo'iiuShuo
ed by President Polk in his annual message of
December, 1s47, s'to be paid to the Spanish gov
ernment for the purpose of distribution among
the claimants in the Amistad case" A similar
recommendation was made by my immediate
predecessor in his message of December, 1858;
and entirely concurriug with both in the opinion
that this indemnity is justly due under the treaty
with Spain OF the 9th of October, 1895, earn
estly recommend such an appropriation to the
favorable consideration of Congress.
treaty of friendship aud commerce was con-
cluded at Constantinople, on the 18th ofDecem-
ber, 1856, between the United States and Persia
the rati6cations of which were exchanged 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 be-
lieyed. will prove beneficial to American COM
merce The Shah has manifested an earnest dis
position to cultivate friendly relations with our
country. and has expressed strong wish that
we should be represented at Teheran by min
lister plenipotentiary and | recommend that an
appropriation be made for this purpose.
Recent occurrences in China have been unfa-
yorable to revision of the treaty with that en-
pire of the Sd of July, 1874, with view to the
security and extension Of our commerce. The
oath article of this treaty stipulated for revis-
ion of it. in case experience should prove this to
be requisite Sin which case the two govern
ments will at the expiration of twelve years from
the date of said convention, treat amicably con-
corning the same, by means of suitable persons
apnointed to conduct such negotiations" These
twelve TIVE years expired on the Sd of July, 1856 !;
but long before that period it was ascertained
that important changes in the treaty were me-
cessary; and several fruitless attempts were
made by the commissioners of the United States
TO effect these changes. Another effort was a.
bout to be made for the same purpose by our
commissioners, in conjunction with the ministers