The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-12-17

usnrping the war making: power which, under
the constitution belongs exclusively To Congress.
Besides, after . careful examination Of ~
nature and extent Of our grievances, did net
oelieve they were Of such pressing and aggrs-
waited character, % would have justified Con.
gress in declaring war against the Chinese en-
pre- without first making another earnest a.
tempt to adjust them BY peaceful negotiation. I
was the more inclined to this opinion, beeause Of
the severe chastisement which had then but 70.
Gently been inflicted upon the Chinss by our
squadron, in the capture and destruction Of the
Barrier forts, to avsnge an alleged insult 10 eur
flag. 77H7A
The event has proved the wisdom Of our nsu.
trality. Our minister has executed his iustrus.
tions with eminent skill and ability. In ssn.
junction with the Russian plenipotentiary, ,hs hAs
peacefully, but effectually, co operated with the
English and French olenipotentiarieg and each
Of the four powers has concluded separate
treaty with China, of highly satisfastory char
acter. The treaty concluded by our own plenip-
otentiary will Immediately be submitted to lie
Senate.
lam happy to announce that through the en-
ergetic yet conciliatory efforts Of cur opsul gen.
eral in Japan, new treaty has been concluded
with that empire, which may be expected mate
rally to augment our trade and intercourse In
that quarter, and remove from our esuntrymsn
the disabilities which have heretofore been i'm
posed upon the exercise of their religion. The
treaty shall be submitted to the Senate for sp.
proval without delay. .D tll4s ,.,'
1t is my earnest desire that every nisuudsr-
standing with the government Of Great Britain
should be amcably and speedily adjusted. II
has been the misfortune Of both countries, slmcst
ever since the period of the revolution, ts have
been annoyed by succession of irritating and
dangerous questions, threatening their friendly
relations. This has partially prevented the full
development of those feelings Of mutual friend
ship between the people OF the two countries, %
natural in themselves and 50 conducive to their
common interest," Any serious interruption Of
the commerce between the United States and
Great Britain, would be equally injurious 70
both. In fact, no two nations have ever sxistsd
on the face Of the earth, which cauld do saeh
other so much good or so much harm. 'f'
Entertaining these sentiments, am gratiAeA
to inform you, that the long-pending controversy
between the two governments, in relation 10 the
question Of visitation and search, has BEN ami
cably 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- sustain
ed under the law Of nations, and it had been
overruled 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 scts
were the more injurious and annoying, q these
waters are traversed by a large portion Of the
commerce and navigation Of the United States.
and their free and unrestricted use is essential
to the security Of the coastwiss trade between
different States Of the Union. Such vsxatious
Interruptions could not fail to excite the feelings
of the country, and to require the interpretation
o. the government. Remonstrancss we're i'd
dressed to the British government against those
violations of our rights Of sovereignty, and o
naval force was at the same time ordered to the
Cuban waters, with directions ITO protect all
vessels Of the United States ON the high seas
from search or detention by the vessels Of var
oil any other nation" These measures received
the unqualified and even enthusiastic approbs-
tion of the American people Most fortunately,
however, no collision took place, and the British
government promptly avowsd its re ecognition ef'
the principles of international law upon this sub
ject, as laid down by the government Of the .. g..
in the note of the Secretary Of State to the Brit
ish 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 circumstances what.
ever. The claim has been abandoned in Q man.
ner rejecting honor on the British government,
and evincing just regard for the law Of ma
tions, and cannot fail to strengthen the amicabls
relations between the two countries. ~'a
The British government, at The same time, prt1
posed to the United States that some mode should
be adopted, by the mutual arrangement betwes.
the two countries. of character which may b
found effective without being offensive for veri-
flying the nationality Of vessels suspected On
good grounds Of carrying false colors. They
have also invited the United States to take thu
initiative, and propose measures for this purpose
Whilst declining to assume 50 grave . responsi-
bility, the Secretary of State has informed th&
British government that we are ready to receive
any proposals which they may feel disposed ID
offer having this object in view, and to consider
them in on amicable spirit. A strong opinion 10
however, expressed, that the occasional abuse Of
the flag of any nation, is an evil far less 70 b
than would be the establishment o
any regulations which might bs Incompatible
with the freedoms Of the seas. This government
has yet received no communicates specifying
the manner in which the British govsrnmen
would propose to carry out their snggsstioaS-
and am inclined to believe, that 10 plan whicl
can be devised, will be free from grave smbar
rassments. Still, shall form no decided opinion
on the subject, until shall have carefully and
in the best spirit examined any proposals. vAiel
they may think proper to make. paA "
am truly sorry cannot also inform y eu Tia
The complications between Great Britain and th
United States arising out Of the Clayton and
Bulwer treaty Of April 1850, have been hnalll
adjusted. ttlNr
At the commencement Of your last session,
,ad reason to hope that emancipating thsmsslvs
rom further unavailing discussions, the two gov
rnments would proceed to settle the Central A
nerican questions in practical manner, alih
lonorable and satisfactory to both and this hop
have not ye, abandoned. In my last aanua
MESSAGE, stated that ovsrturss had hssa nd
y the British government for this purpose, in
riendly spirit which cordially reciprocatsd-