The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-12-19
course, should continue to enforce ancient and

COURSE, SuOulu COntiuuc VI culOrC0 dlCIcuI duu
obsolete restrictions of trade against each
other. Our commercial treaty with France
in this respect is an exception from our trca-
ties with all commercial nations. 1t jealous
~ levies disseminating duties, both in ton
mage and on articles, the growth, produce or
manufacture of the one country when arriv-
rg in vessels belonging to the other.
With all other European governments ex-
cept that Of Spain our relations are as peace
full as we could desire. l regret to say that
no progress whatever has been made since
the adjOurnmentof Congress towards the set
Element of any of the numerous claims of
our citizens against the Spanish Government,
besides the outrage committed on our flag
by the Spanish war (rigate on the high seas
off the coast of Cuba, in March, 1855, by fir
ing into the American mail steamer EldOra-
do, and OBTAINING and searching her, remains
unacknowledged and unredressed. The
general tone and temper of the Spanish Gov
eminent towards the United States is much
to be regretted. Our present Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to
Madrid has asked to be recalled, and my
purpose to send out new Minister to Spain
with special instructions on all questions
pending between the two governments and
determination to have them speedily and
amicably adjusted if this be possible.
With regard to the China Mission the
President says: Whilst our Minister has
been instructed to occupy neutral position
in reference to the existing hostilities at Can
ton, he will cordially cooperate with the
British and French Ministers in all peaceful
measures to secure by treaty stipulations
those just concessions to commerce which
the nations of the world have the right to
expect. l entertain no doubt that the three
Ministers will act in harmonious concert to
obtain similar commercial treaties for each of
the Powers they represent. Our difficulties
with New Grenada, which short time since
bore SO threatening an aspect are, 1T is to be
hoped, on a fair train ofsettlement, in a man.
ner Just and honorable to both parties. With
respect to the Isthmus of Panama, he recon-
mends to Congress the passing of an act au-
thcrizing the President in case Of necessity
to employ the land and naval forces of the
United States to carry into effect the guaran-
tee of neutrality and protec ion. Also re-
commends similar legislation for the security
Of any other route across the isthmus in
which we may acquire an interest by treaty.
Respecting the Walker expedition to Mic
aragua, he says such enterprises can do no
possible good to the country, but have al
ready inflicted much injury both to its inter-
ests and its character. commend the whole
subject to the serious attention of Congress,
believing that duty and our interest, as we'll
as our national character requires that we
should adopt such measures as will be effec-
tusl in restricting our citizens from commit
ting such outrages.
Citizens of the United States who are es-
tabiished in business in Paraguay, have had
their property seized and taken from them,
and having been otherwise treated by the
authorities in an insulting and arbitrary man
ner, which requires demand for these pur-
poses, will be made in firm but conciliatory
spirit. This will the more probably be
granted if the Executive shall have authority
to use other means in the event of a refusal,
this is accordingly recommended. He con-
siders the Kansas question at length, saying
that under the Kansas Nebraska act the
Convention were not bound to submit any
other portion of the instrument to an cleo
ton, except that which relates to the domes.
tic institution of slavery. This will be rem
dered clear by simple reference to its Ian
guage at this election
Every citizen will have an opportunity of
expressing his opinion by his vote, whether
Kansas shall be received into the Union with
or without slavery, and thus the exciting
question may be peacefully settled in the very
mode required by the organic law.
The election will be held under the legiti-
mate authority, and if any portion of the
inhabitants shall refuse to vote, fair oppor-
tunity to do so having been presented, this
will be their own voluntary act; if they will
alone be responsible for the consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be free or slave
State, must eventually, under some authority
be decided by an election and the question
can never be more clearly or distinctly pre-
sented to the people than it is at the present
moment. Should this opportunity be ne
elected, she may be involved for years in
domestic discord and possibly in civil war
before she can again make an issue now so
fortunately rendered, and to gain the point
she has already attained. Kansas has for
some years occupied too much public atten-
ton. 1t is high time this should be directed
to far more important objects.
If once admitted into the Union whether
with or without slavery, the excitement be-
yond our limits will speedily pass away, and
she will then for the first time be left as she
ought to have been long since to manage her
own affairs in her own way. If the Constitu-
ton on the subject of slavery or any other
subject be displeasng to majority of the
people, no human power can prevent them
from changing it with in brief period. I'm
der these circumstances it may be questioned
whether the peace and quiet of the whole
country are not Of greater importance than a
mere temporary triumph of either Of the po-
litical powers In Kansas, should The Consti-
tuition without Slavery be adopted by the
votes of a majority.
The rights of property in slaves now in
the Territory are preserved. The number of
these is very small, but if it were greater, the
provision would be equally just and reasona-
bic. These slaves were brought into the
Territory under the Constitution of the Uni
ted State-, and are now the property of their
masters. This point has at length been f.
nally decided by the highest judicial tribunal
of the country, and this when confederacy
of sovereign states acquire new Territory
at their Joint expense but equality and JUS
| tice demand that the citizens Of one and all
of them shall have the right to take into it
whatever is recognized as property by the
common Constitution to have summary
confscated the property in slaves already in
the Territory, would have been an act of
gross injustice and contrary to the practice OF
the older States of the Union which have
abolished slavery. Utah next claims the at
tention of the President. This is the first
| rebellion that has existed in our Territories,
and huIuanity itself requires that We should
put it down in such manner that it shall be
the last. To triAe with it would be to en-
courage it and render it formidable. We
/ ought to go there with such an imposing
force as to convince those deluded people that
resistance would be vain, and thus spare the
effusion of blood. We can in this manner
convince them that we are their friends