The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-12-12

inconsistent with the American interpreta-
ton Of the treaty. Overtures for this pur
pose have been recently made by the British
government in friendly spirit, which cor
daily reciprOcate; but whether this renew
ed effort will result in success, | am not yet
prepared to express an opinion. briet Pc
rod will determine.
With France our ancient relations Of friend
ship still continue to exist. The French 60
vernment hate in several recent instances,
which need not to be enumerated, evinced
spirit of good viii and kindness towards our
country which heartily reciprocate 1t is,
Notwithstanding, much TO be regretted that
two nations whose productions are OF such a
character as to invite the most extensive eX-
change and frcest commercial intercourse,
should continue to enforce ancient and obso-
letc restrictions of trade against each other.
Our commercial treaty with France in this
respect is an exception from our treaties
wish all other commercial nations. 1t jea
lousy levies discriminating duties both on
tonnage and on articles the growth, produce,
or manufacture Of one country, when arriv-
ing in vessels belon .ing &c the other.
More than forty years ago, on the Sd OF
March, 1915, Congress passed an act offering
to all nations to admit their vessels laden
with their national productions into the
ports of the Uuited States upon the same
terms with our own vessels, provided they
would reciprocate to us similar advantage.
This act confined the reciprocity to the pro-
auctions Of the respective foreign nations
who might enter into the proposed arrange
ment with the United States. The act Of
Nav "a, 1928, removed this restriction, and
offered n similar reciprocity to all such yes
seis without reference TO the origin Of their
cargoes. Upon these principles our com
mercal 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, as they
have ever been, on the most friendly footing.
The present Emperor, a. well as his prede-
cessors- have never failed, when the occasion
offered, to manifest their good viii to orr
country and their friendship has always
been highly appreciated by the government
and people Of the United States.
With all other European governments, ex-
cept that of Spain, our relations are IS peace
ful as we could desire. regret to say tina.
no progress Whatever has 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 committed on our ilag
by the Spanish war frigatc FerrOlana on the
high seas, OF the coast Of Cuba, in March.
1875. nv firing into the Americas mail Stca-
rner FL Dorado, and OBTAINING and searching
her, remains unacknowiedged and unreGres.
Sed. The general tone and temper of the
Spanish government towards that OF the
United States are much to ue regretted. Oar
present Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Pienipoteniiary to Madrid asked to be Ie-
called and it is my purpose to send out a
new Minister to Spain witt special iustrlc-
tons on all questions pending between the
two governments and determination to
have them speedily and amicably adjusted if
this be possible Ia the meantime, whene-
yer our Minister urges the just claims %
our citizens on the notice of the Spanish go
vernmenl, he is met with the objection that
Congress have never made the apprOpTiItiy IN
recommended by President Polk IN his an
nual message Of December, 1917. ITO be paid
TO the Spanish government for the purpose
% distribution among the claimants Ia the
Ani>tad case" \ similar accommodation
was made By my Immediate predecessor IN
his message Of 1883 and entirely concur
ring with both in the opinion that this in
de'nnity i justly due under the treaty with
Spcin OF the 9th October, 1895, / earnestly
recommend such an appropriation TO the ia
vorab,e consideration of Congress.
\ treaty OF friendship and commerce was
concluded at Constantinoplc on the 18th De
eenber, S56 between the UHited states
and Persia, the ratifications Of W inch were
exchanged at Constantinople on the 18th
June, 1857, and the treaty was proclaimed
by the President.on the 18TH August, SJ1.
This treaty, it is believed will prove bencti-
cial 10 American commerce. The Shah has
manifested an earnest disposition TO cultivate
friendly relations with our country, and has
expressed strong wish that we should bs
represented AZ Teheran by 4 Minister Pcni-
potentiary; and recommend that IN apprc-
priation be made for this purpose.
Recent occurrences in China have been
unfavorabe TO a revision OF the treaty with
that empire of the Sd July, 1874, with a
view 10 the security ard extension of our
commerce. The 34th article OF this treaty
stipulated for revision of ii, in case cSpe-
rience should prove this TO be requisite; lin
which case the two governments will at the
expiration Of twelve years from the date o.
said convention. treat amicably concerning
the same, by means Of suitable persons APP
pointed to conduct such negotiations
These twelve years expired on the Sd July, !
1886; but long before that period i. was
Contained that important changes in the /
treaty were necessary; and several fruitlcsS :
attempts were made by the Commissioner of
the United States to effect these changes
Another effort was about to he made for the /
same purpose by our Commissioner. in con-
junction with the Ministers of England and .
France, but this was suspended 10y the oc-
currence Of hostilities in the Canton River .
between Great Bri ain and the Chinese En- ,
pre-. These hostilities have necessarily in /
terrupted the trade of all nations with Can
ton, which is now in state OF blockade, I
and have occasoned serious loss Of life .
and property. Meanwhile the insurrection
within the empire against the existing impe-
rial dynasty still continues, and it is difficult
to anticipate what will be the result.
Under these circumstances, ] have deem
ed il advisable to appoint a distinguished
citizen OF Pennsylvania Envoy Ex,raordin
airy and Minister Plenipotentiary TO proceed
to China, and to avail himself of any oppor-
tunitcs 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 tine
war steamer Minnesota. Special Ministers
to China have also been appointed by the
Of Great Britain and France.
Whilst our Minister has been instructed
to occupy neutral position in reference to
the existing hostllities at Canton, he will
cordially cooperate with the British and
French Ministers in all peaceful measures 10
secure, by treaty stipulations, those just
TO commerce which the nations
Of the world have n right to expect, and
which China cannot long be permitted to
From assurances received, | en-
Iertain no doupt that the three Ministers will
act in harmonious concert to obtain similar
treaties for each Of the powers
hey represent
We cannot fail to feel deep interest in all
hat concerns the welfare of the independ-
INT republics on our own continent, as we'll
rs of the Empire of Brazil. II