The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-15

separate treaty with China OF. highly
satisfactory character. The treaty con-
cluded by our own plenipoteutiary will
Immediately be submitted to the Sen
ate. <.
| am happy to announce that through
the energetic yet conciliatory efforts of
our Consul General in Japan, new trea-
ty has been concluded with that empire,
which may be expected materially to
augment our trade and intercourse in that
quarter, and remove from our country
men the disabilities which have heretofore
been imposed upon the exercise of their
religion. The treaty shall be submitted
to the Senate Without delay.
1t is my earnest desire that every mis-
understanding. with the government Of
Great Britain should be amicably and
speedily adjusted. 1t has been the mis-
fortune of both countries, almost ever
since the period of the Revolution, to
have been annoyed by succession Of ir-
ritating and dangerous questions, threat
ening their friendly relations. This has
partially prevented the full development
ofthose feelings of mutual friendship be-
tween the people of the two countries. so
natural in themselves and so conducive
to their common interests. Any serious
interruption of the commerce between
the United States and Great Britain
would be equally injurious to both. In
fact, no two nations have ever existed on
the face of the earth which could do
each other so much good or so much
harm ...... --..- .s...a.t..t g..
Entertaining these sentiments, I am
grati6ed to inform you that the long
pending controversy between the two gov
ernments, in relation to the question of
visitation and search, has been amicably
adjusted. The claim on the part of
Great Britain, forcibly to visit American
vessels on the high seas in time of peace,
could not be sustained under the law of
nations, and it had been over-ruled by
her own most eminent jurists. This
question was recently brought to an issue
by the repeated acts of British cruisers,
in boarding and searching our merchant
vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and the
adjacent seas. These acts were the more
injurious and annoying, as these waters
are traversed by large portion of the
commerce and navigation of the United
States, and their free and unrestricted
use is essential to the security of the
coast-wise trado between different States
of the Union. ss- .s.:a ,. ..s
Such syexatious interruptions could
not fail to excite the feelings Of the
country, and to require the interposition
of the government. Remonstrances were
addressed to the British government
against these violations of our rights of
sovereignty, and naval force was at the
same time ordered to the Cuban waters,
with directions "to protect all vessels Of
the Urited States On the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels of war
of any other nation" These measures
received the, unqualified and even enthu-
siastic appreciation of the American peo-
Pile. -~-;,s e., -.s4. -- .t' D.
Most fortunately, however, no collision
took place, and the British government
promptly avowed'its recognition of the
principles of international law upon this
subject, as laid down by the government
of the United States, in the note of the
Secretary of State to the British minister
at Washington, of April 10, 1858, which
secure the vessels of the United States
upon, the high seas from visitation or
search in time of peace, under any cir
cumstances whatever. The claim has
been abandoned in masuer rejecting
honor on the British government, and e.
vincing just regard for the law of no
tions, and can not fail to strengthen the
amicable relations between the two coun.
tries 'G'-
The British Government at the same
time proposes to the United States that
some mode should be adopted by mutual
arrangement between the effective without
being offensive, for verifying the national
ity Of vessels suspected on good grounds
of carrying false colors.. They have also
invited the United States to take the in-
itlatlVe, anu propose measures Tor this
purpose Whilst declining to assume
so grave responsibility, the Secretary
of State has informed the British Gov
ernment that we are ready to receive
any proposals which they may feel dis.
posed to offer, having this object in view
and to consider them in an amicable
spirit. s ss1 /.
A strong opinion is, however express.
ed, that the occasional abuse of the
flag Of any nation is an evil far less .tc
be deprecated than weuld be the estab
lishment of any regulations which might
be incompatible with the freedom of the
seas. This government has yet received
no communication specifying the manner
in which the British Government woult
propose to carry out their suggestion
and am inclined to believe that no plar
which can be devised will be free from
grave ,embarrassments Still. / shall
form no decided opinion on this supjec
until l shall have carefully, and in tho
best spirit, examined any proposals which
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