Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-11

samnOn, and their reports, are herewith submitted.
1t will be seen BY their report Of the ID Of July last
that they have fully confirmed the opinion express
ed by General Johnston in the previous October,
as to the necessity Of sending reinforcements to
Utah. In this they state that they "are firmly i'm
| pressed with The belief that the presence Of the
army here and the large additional force that had
been ordered TO this Territory we're the chief in.
ducements that caused the Mormons to abandon
the idea Of resisting the authority Of the United
States. less decisive policy would probably have
resulted in a long, bloody, and expensive war.
These gentlemen conducted themselves TO my
entire satisfaction, and reuderd useful services in
executing the humane intentions Of the Govern
meet.
It also affords me great satisfaction to state that
Governor Cumming has performed bis dH'y in an
able and eoneiliatory nanneF, and with the happt'
est effect I caun0t, in this connection, refrain
from mentioning the valuable services Of Col.
Thomas L. Kane Who, from motives Of pure be.
nevoence, and without any Official character o. Pc
cuniary compensation, visited Utah during the last
iBclement winter for the purpose Of contributing TO
| the Faci6cation Of the Territory.
/ am happy to inform you that the Governor and
other civil officers Of Utah are now performing
their appropriate functions without resistance. The
authority of the constitution and the laws has been
fully restored, and peaae prevails throughout the
| Territory.
A portion of the troops sent to Utah are now en-
eamped in Cedar Valley, forty-iour miles southwest
of Salt Lake City, and the remainder have been or
| dered to Oregon to suppress Indian hostilities.
The march Of the army to Salt Lake City, through
the Indian Territory, has had a powerful effect in
restraining the hostile feelings against the United
States which existed among the Indians in that re-
gion and in securing emigrants to the far West
against their depredatons. This will also be the
means of establishing military posts and promoting
settlements along the route.
L srncoumand that thu hanpffa If ouF land laws
and pre-emplion system be extended to the people
of Utah, by the establishment Of land Office in that
Territory.
have OCCASION also, to congratulate you on the
result Of our negotiations with China.
You were Informed by my last annual message
that our Minister hsd been instructed TO occupy q
neutral position in the hostilies conducted by Great
Britain aud France against Canton. He was, how
ever at the time directed to cooperate oord-
ally with the British and French Ministers in all
peaceful measures to secure by treaty those just
concessions 10 foreign commerce which the nations
of the world had sight to demand. It was impOs
sible for me to proceed further than this, my own
authority, without usurping the Wsr-making power,
which, under the Constitution, belongs exclusively
to Congress.
Besides, after a careful examination Of the nat
ure and extent Of our grievances, l did not be-
ieve they were Of such a pressing and aggravated
character asWoHld have justified Congress in de-
caring war agai1stthe Chinese Empire, without
first making another earnest attempt to adjust them
by peaceful negotiation. l was the more inclined
to this opinion because Of the ehastisement
which had been but recently been inflicted upon the
Chinese by Cur squadron, in the capture and dss-
truetion Of the Barrier fsrts to aVepge an alleged
insult to our flag. -
The event has proved the wisdom of our neutrali-
tv Our Minister has executed his instructions with
eminent skill and ability. In conjunction with the
Russian Penipotentiary, he has peacefully but sfee-
tuaIly co-operated with the English and French
Plenipotentiares: and each of the four Powers has
concluded q separate treaty with China of highly
satisfactory character. The treaty concluded by
own Plenipotentiary viii Immediately be submitted
I ami happy to annoHnne that, through, the ener-
eetic vel conciliatory efforts Of CONSUL General
in Japan, treaty has been concluded with thai
Empire, which may be expected materially 10 aug
ment our trade and intercourse in that quarter, and
remove from eOuntrymen the disabilities which
have heretofore been imposed upon the exercise o
their religion The treaty shall be submitted TO the
Senate for approval without delay.
It earnest desire that with u
usted the misfortune Of both countries almost
since period the Revolution to have been annoyed by
eeion of irritating and dangerous Questions threatening theI
friendly relations This has partially prevented the full eevel
opnen Of those feelings Of mutual friendship between the PeOP
OF the two countries in themselves and conducive
ercomon Any serious interruption between the
Injurious to both, nations have existed tht
face earth which could do each other 50 much good
Entertaining these sentiments am gratihed to
inform you thst the long pending controversy be-
tween the two governments In relation to the ques
ton of visitation and search has been amicaby ad
iusted The claim the part Of Great Britain
forcbly 10 visit American vessels on the high seas
in time of peace could not be sustained under the Law
| of nations and il had been oveFTued by her most
eminent iuIiss. Thequestion was recently brought
10 an issue by the repeated acts of British cruisers
in boarding and searching our merchant vessels 10
n . A. -, I'D al lots
were the more injurious and annoying as these va,
tiers are traveTsed by q large portion Of the COM
merce and navigation of the United States and their
free and unrestricted is essential to the security
Of the eosstwise trade between different States Of
the Union Such vexaiious interruptions could not
fail to excite the feelings Of the country and TO
ouire the interposition Of the Government. RemOn-
strsnces we're addressed to the British Government
against these violations Of rights Of sovereign
tY and a naval force was at the same time ordered
to the Cuban waters with directions 'o protect ell
vessels of the United States on the high seas from
search or detention by vessels Of of any other
nation. These measures reeeiTedthe unqualihedand
even enthusiastic appreciation Of the American PeoN
pie Most fortunately, however, no collision took
4 place and the British Government promptly avOWed
its recognition Of the principles OF international
Law upon this subject, laid down by the Govern
ept ofthe United States in the note of the SeereIs
~ of Stale 70 the British minister at Washington,
April TO- 1853 which secure the vessels Of the Uni
led States upon the high seas from visitation or
search in time Of peace under any circumstances
whatever. The claim has bean abandoned in q
manner refeeling honor on the British Government,
and e7ineing just regard for the law Of nations
and cannot fail to strengthen the smies6le relations
between the two countries.
The British Government, at the same time, pro-
posed to the United States that some mode should
be adopted by mutual arrangement between the
two countries, of a character which may be found
effective without being offensive, for verifying the
nationality of vessels suspected on good grounds Ct
carrying false eolors. They have also invited the
United States to take the initiative, and propose
measures for this purpose Whilst declining TO as
sumo so grave responsibility, the Secretary OF
STATE has Informed the British Government that we
are ready to receive any proposals which they may
feel disposed to offer, having this object in view,
and to consider them in an amicable spirit A
strong opinion is however, expressed that the oeca-
siona abuse of the flag Of any nation is evil far
less 10 be deprecated than would be the establish
ment Of any regulations which might be ineompati-
BILE with the freedom Of the seas. This Govern
| ment has vet received no communication specifying
! the manner in which the British Government would
propose to carry out their suggestion; and am in
clned to believe that plan which can be devised
i will be free from grave embaTrassments. Still,
shall form no decided opinion on the subject until
shall have carefully and in the best spirit exam~
ined any proposals which they may think proper to
| make.
am truly sorry cannot also infrom you that the
complications between Great Britain and the United
States arising out Of the Clayton and BulWer treaty
| of April, 1850, have been finally adjusted
| At the commencement of your last session 1 had
reason TO hope that emsncipating themselves from