Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-08

With all other European governments except that OF
Spain, relations peaceful as we could desre
regret to that progress whatever has been mace
since the adjournment of Congress- towards the sette
ment of any of the claims OF our cltlzens
against the Spanish government. Besides the outrage
committed on our flag by the Spanish warfrgae Ferro-
lana on the high SEAS off the coast OF CuDa IN March,
1885, by firing into the American mail steamer FL Dora
do and OBTAINING and searching her, remains unacknow
lodged and unredressed The general tone and temper OF
the Spanish towards that of the United States
are much to be regretted Our present envoy extraord
nary and minister penpotentay to Madrid has asked 10
be recalled and my purpose to send out new min
lister to Spain with special instructions ON all quesuohs
pending between the two governments and with deter
mnation to have them speedily and amcaby adjusted
this be possible. In the mean tme whenever our min
lister urges the just claims of citizens on the notice OF
the Spanish government he is met with the opectloh
that Congress have made the appropriation recon-
mended by President Polk in his annual message OF De-
cember Is47 'to be paid to the Spanish government for
the purpose of distribution among the claimants IN the
Amistad case" similar recommendation was maae by
my immediate predecessor in his message OF Decemper'
1853! and entirely concuring with both in the opinion
that this indemnity is Justly due under the treaty with
Spain of the 9th October, 1885, earnestly recommend
such an appropriation to the favorable consideration OF
| Congress.
d treaty of friendship and was concluded at
Consantinope the 18th December 1885, between the
United States and Persia the ratcatons OF which were
exchanged at Constantnople the 18th june 1851 and
the treaty was proclaimed by the President on the
18th August 1851 This treaty, it is believed, Will
!, prove beneficial to American commerce Inc Shah
has manifested an earnest disposition to cultivate friendly
relations with our country, and has expressed strong
wish that we SHOULD be represented at Iehean by MIN
;, .er penpotentiary and recommend that an appro-
priation be made for this purpose a. l..
Recent occurrences China have been unfvoraGe 70
revision of the treaty with that empire OF the 81 Juy
1874 with view to the security and extension of our
rr>o f;c aDffh hic frrdt
revision of It. in case experience should prove this to DC
requisite in which case the two governments WILL aV
the expiration of twelve years from the date OF SAID con-
yention treat ainCably concerning the same, by means
of suitable persons appointed to conduct sucn neSoa-
tions These twelve years expired on the sd July,
1856 but long before that period it ascertaned that
imtoftaut changes in the treaty were necessary ana
several fuifes attempts were ade by the eofnlrsloner
of the United States to effect these canses slother
effort was about to be made for the same purpose ny our
commissioner in conjunction with the ministers OF Eng
land and France but this was suspended by the occur
renee of hostities in the Canton river between rcat
Britain and the Chinese Empire These hostlltes nave
necessarily interrupted the trade OF all nations WIN '
ton which is in state OF blockade, ana nave ocG-
stoned serious loss of life and property MeanWhle the
insurrection within the empire against the existing mpe
rial dynasty still continues and is difficult to anticipate
what will be the result.
Under these circumstances have deemed 1t advisable
TO appoint distinguished citizen Of Penns vana envoy
China and to avail himself of any opportunities which
NAV offer to effect changes in the existing treaty favor
able to American commerce He left the United states
for the place of his destination in July last IN the war
Il steamer Minnesota Special ministers to China nave
also been appointed by the governments OF Great Britain
iand France.
e \ Whilst our minister has been instructed to occupy
,eua position in reference to the existing hosttes ut
Canton he will cordially cooperate with the BRUSH ana
Fench ministers in all peaceful measures to secure py
taty spuations those just concessions to commerce
which the nations of the world have right to expect
andwhch China cannot long be permitted to withhold
l., From assurances received entertain no doubt that the
three ministers will act in harmonious concert TO OBTAIN
similar commercial treaties for each of the powers they
n represent.
We cannot fail to feel deep interest in oil that con-
Germs the welfare of the independent republics on our
l. own continent as well as of the empire of Brazil
e Our difficulties with New Granada, which short time
since bore sohreatenng aspect it is to be hoped
in fair tral of settlement in manner just and honor
e able to bothparties.
v The Isthnus of Central America including that OF
Panama is he great highway between the Atlantic and
Pacific over which large portion OF the commerce OF
the world il destined to pass The United States are
more deeply than any other nation in presery-
ing the freedom and security of all the communications
across this slmus. 1t is our duty therefore, TO take
care that they shall not be interrupted either by invasions
from our owl country by wars between the independ
ent States ofCentrs America Under our treaty with
New Grcnads Of the 18th December lS46 we are bound
the neutrality O1 the ISunmus OF
q through which the Panama railroad passes, as well as
the rights OF sovereignty and property which New Gre
MAZDA has a, possesses the said Territory This OBJ
legation founded upon equivalents granted treaty
to the government and people of the United States.
nj Under these circumstances recommend to Congress
tho nasae G an act authorizing the President case of
necessity to employ the land and naval forces of the
limited Stats to carry into effect this guarantee of neu-
traItv andprotecton also recommend similar legsa-
ton for tb security of any other route across the nus
| la,
vi With n independent republics this continent it is
botb orr dity and our interest to cultivate the most
friendly relations We can never feel indifferent to their
fate and must always rejoice in their prosperity Unfor
tunatev both for them and for us, example and ad
vice have lost much of their influence in consequence of
tho laNs expeditions which have been fitted out against
come of them within the limits of our country Nothing
I better acuated reard steady material progress
or nnair our character naton than the oleation of
ouch enterrises in violation of the law of nations.
II Is one Of the first and highest duties of any inde-
pcndent State in its relations with the members of the
great family of nations to restrain its people from acts
of hostile aggression against their citizens subjects
The most eminent writers public law do not hesitate
TO denolnce such hostile acts as robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble States like those of Central America
NAV not themselves able to assert and vindcate their
rights would be set
on foot within own territories to make private war
againsj powerful nation. If such expeditions were fit
ted oft from abroad against any portion OF our own
countN to burn down Cities murder and punder
peopd and usurp government, we should call any
earth to the stcest account for not preventing
t such normities.
Ever since the administration of General Washington,
acts Of Congress have been in force to punish severely
the crime of setting on foot military expedition within
the limits of the United States to proceed from thence
AGAINST nation or State with whom at peace
The present neutrality act of April goth, lsls is but
littemore than collection of preexsting laws. Under
this act the President empowered to employ the land
and naval forces and the militia or the purpose of pre-
venting the carrying of any such expedition Or enter
mise from the territories and jurisdiction of the United
States and the collectors of customs authorized and