Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-12-14
CHINA.


:
he result Of ctr NEGOTIATIONS with China.
ou were informed b. my last annual mes
sage that our Minister had been instructed 10 4
aecupv a neutral position Ia the hosgIlIIies con-
duc:ed by Great Britain and France against +
Canton. He was, however, ~ the same time d. /
rec'ed TO cooperate cordially with the British /
and French Ministers. in all peaceful measures
70 by treaty those just concessions 10 fer
eigi commerce which the nations OF the world I
I ad a light TO demand. Ii was impossible for
,ne 20 proceed further than this On my Own au-
thcYifv. without usurping the war making pow
or, xhich, under tie Constitution, belongs ex-
clusively 10 Congress
Besides. after careful examination of the ua-
ture and extent OF our grievances, did not be-
heve they Of such pressing and aggra-
waited character world have justified Congress
in declaring against the Chinese Empire,
without first making another earnest attempt 70
adjust them by peaceful negotiation. was Inc
more inclined 20 this opinion because oi me Sc
we're ehasi isenent that had recently been ,urlct-
ed upon the Chinese by our squadron IN the
capture and destruction OF the Barrier forts, 10
avenge an alleged insult TO our flag.
Tie event has proved the wIsdom of our neu
traIitv DER minister has executed his inStruc-
mons with eminent skill and ability In con-
junction with the Russian Plenipotentary, he
has peacefully but effectually. co-operated with
the English and French PleEIpotenfIarIes and
each of the four Powers has concluded sepa-
rate treaty with China Of highly satisfactory
character The treaty concluded by cur
PIenipoientiarv viii immediately be submitted
to the Senate.
| am happy TO announce that, through the en-
ereetic, vet eoneiiatcry, efforts of our Consul
General in Japan, rev treaty has been con-
Guided with that Empire. which may he ex pect-
ed materially 10 Augment our trade al.i inter
course In that quarter, and remove from our
country men the disabilities which Lave hereto
fore been imposed upon be exercise of their re-
lgon. The treaty shall be submitted to the
Senate for approval without delay.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Il is my earnest desire that every misunder-
standing with tie Government of Great Britain
should De amicably and speedily adjusted 1t
has been the misfortune of both Countries al
most ever since the period of the Revolution, to
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
friendship between the people Of the two
countries, 50 natural In Themselves and so con-
ducIve to their common interest. ANY serious
interruption OF the commerce between the Uni
ted 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 coul
DO each other So much good or so mich harm.
Entertaining these sentiments | am gratified
10 Inform you that The long PENDING controversy
between tie two Governments IN Ielai ion to the
question of visitation and search. has been ami
Cs-fit ADJUSTED he clam the part Great
Britain torclbiv to visit American vessels on lie
high seas In time Of peace, could not be srs-
tanned under the law OF naiinus, and il has been
overruled by her most eminent jurisis. This
question was recently brought 10 an issue by
the repeated acts Of British cruisers in boarding
and searching our merchant vessels III the Gull
of Mexico and the adiacen: seas These acts
rere The more Injurious and annoving as these
waters are tIaversed by a large portion of the
commerce and navigation Of The United States,
and their free and unrestricted use Is essential
10 the security Of the coastwise trade between
different States of the Union. Such vexatious
interruptions could not fail to excite the feel
Ings OF the country, and to require the interpo-
sitiOn of the Government RESPONSIVENESS were.
addressed TO the British Government against
these violations of our rights of sovereignty and
naval force was al the same time oriered to
The Cuban waters, with directions " to project
90 all vessels of the United States on tie HIGH
" seas from search e. detention by the vessels of
- war OF any other nation These measures re-
ceIved the unqualified aHi even enthusiastic an
probation Of tie American people Most forth
nately. however. no collision took place and the
British Government promptly avowed its rec
ignition Of the principles of international law
upon this subject as laid down bv the Govern
ment Of the United States. in the note of the
Secretary of Stale to the British Minister at
v Washington, dated April 10. 1858 which secure
/ the vessels of the uited States upon the high
seas from visitation or search IN time of peace
Huutf any cNnstapCGS whatever. he claim
has been abandoned in a manner rejecting
honor Oh the British Government and evinc,nG
a Just regard for The law Of nations and cannot
fail TO strengthen the amicable relations be-
tween the iwo countries
The British Government, at tie same time
proposed 10 the United States that some mode
should he adopted, hv mutual agreement he
tween the two countries. of 4 character which
i may toe found effective without being offensive
Tor verifying ne nationality OF vessels suspected
~ g"od grounds Of carrying false culors. They
have also invited the United States 10 take The
initiative. and propose measures for Ills mr.
pose Willie declining 10 assume so grave a re-
sponsibliliy, the Secretary Of State Las inform
/ eu the British Govern lueut that we are readv 10
fecei We any proposals which they may feel dis
posed 10 otter having this object in view and 10
consider Them IN an aipicable spirit a stropr-
opinion Is. however. expressed HAT the occasion
az 4buse "i the flag OF any nation Is an evil far
less to be deprecated than would be the est;.b-
iiShment of any regulations which might be in
compatible with the freedom Of the seas This
Government has yet received no con1,rtlp icati,i,
specifying the manner in which the British
Government would propose to carry out thelr
suggestion and / am Inclined TO believe thar
no plan Which can be devised will be free from,
grave emhartassments. sun. shall form no
decided opinion on the subject until have ,,ro
fully and in The best spirit examined my ~
peSals which they may think proper TO make
am truly sorry ! cannot also inform Won that
the complications between Great Britain ,pd
me Tinted States, arising ont of the CLAYTON
and BoIWer Treaty Of April, 1850. have been
Al the commencement Of your last session. I
had reason to hope that, enancipating them
stIFeS IRON further GnavalIng discussions. the
I"o governments would proceed to settle fbe
Central American question in a practical ~
her. aiike honorable and satisfactory to both
ana TINS hope | have not abandoned I, my
i"si annual Message, stated that overtpres |
. .,"d neen made by the British Government for
daily recIprucated Their DroposaI -
Withdraw these questions from direct necotia-
non between the two Governments, but to ar-
e'mFiish the same object bv n negotiation he 1
"teA me briish Government and each of the
S,Ilra. american Republics whose territorial
interests are immediately involved tn.
usment Vas 10 be made in ACCORDANCE with Tho !