Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-09
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No I02

to receive any proposals which they may feel dispo-
sed to Offer having this object in vew and to con
is however, expressed that the occasional abuse of
the flag of any nation is evil far less to be dere-
Gated than would be the establishment Of any reg-
lations which might be incompatible with the free
dom of the seas. This government has yet received
no communication specifying the manner in which
their suggestion and am inclined to believe, that
no plan which can be devised, will be free from
grave embarrassments. STILL shall form no decid-
ed opinion on the subject, until shall have care
fully and in the best spirit examined any proposals
which they may think proper to make. - -+4.#
r. THE cLAYToN-BULwER TREATY. hos .r.fe
am truly sorry cannot also inform you that
the complications between Great Britain and the
United States arising out of the Clayton and Buwer
treaty Of April, 1850, have been fnans
reason to hope that emancipating themselves from
further unavailing discussions the two governments
would proceed to settle the Central American ques-
tons In practical manner alike honorable and sa-
tistactory to both and this hope have not yet
abandoned In my last annual message stated
that overtures had been made by the British govern
ment for this purpose, in a friendly spirit which
cordially reciprocated Their proposal was to with
draw these questions from direct negotiation be
tween the two governments; but to accomplish the
same object, by negotiation between the British
government and each of the Central American re-
involved. The settlement to be made in ac-
cordance with the general tenor of the Interpretation
placed upon the Clayton and Bulwer treaty by the
United States, with certain notifications. AS nego-
tiations are still pending upon this basis it would
not be proper for me now to communicate their pre-
tons is greatly to be desired as this would wipe out
the last remaining subject of dispute between the
two countries.
CONTINENTAL RELATIONS SPAIN.
Our relations with the great empires of France and
Russa as well as with all other governments on the
continent of Europe except that of Spain, continue
to be of the most friendly character. .
With Spain our relations remain in an unsatis-
factory condition. In my message of December last,
l informed you that our envoy extraordinary and
minister plenpotentiary to Madrid had asked for his
recall; and it was my purpose to send out new
minister to that court with special instructions on
all questions pending between the two governments
and with determination to have them speedily and
amicab]y adjusted if that were possible This pur-
pose has been hitherto defeated by causes which
need not enumerate -r'-e
The mission to Spain has been intrusted to a dis
tngushed citizen Of Kentucky, who will proceed to
Madrid without delay and make another and a final
attempt to obtain justice from that government
Spanish officials, under the direct control of the
captains general of Cuba have insulted our national
flag, and, in repeated instances, have from time to
time inflicted injuries on the persons and property
of our citizens. These have given birth to numer
GUS claims against the Spanish government, the
merits of which have been ably discussed for Sc
ries of years. by successive diplomatic represen
tatives Notwithstanding this, we have not arrived
at practical result in any single instance unless
we may except the case of the Black Warrior under
the late administration and that presented out
rage of such character as would have justified an
immediate resort to war. All our attempts to OBJ
tain redress have been baffled and defeated. The
frequent and oft-recurring changes in the Spanish
ministry, have been employed reasons for delay
We have been compelled to wait, again and again.
until the minister shall have had time to inves-
tgate the justice of our demands.
Even what have been denomnated "the Cuban
claims" in which more than hundred of our citi-
are directly interested, have furnished ex-
ception. These claims were for the refunding of
duties unjustly exacted from American vessels at
different customhouses in Cuba, SO long ago as the
year 1874 The principles upon which they rest are
manifestly equitable and just that after period
of nearly ten years, in 1854 they were recognised
by the Spanish government. Proceedings were af-
terwards instituted to ascertain their amount and
this finally fixed according to their own state
ment with which we were satisfedD at the sum of
one hundred and twenty-e thousand six hundred
and thirty6ve dollars and fifty -four cents. just at
the moment, after delay of fourteen years, when
we had reason to expect that this sum would be re-
paid with interest, have received proposal offer
ing to refund one-third of that amount forty two
and forty-one cents,) but without interest, if we
would accept this in full satisfaction. The offer is
also accompanied by declaration that this indem.
MITIGATION is not founded any of strict JUS
tice; but is made as special favor
One alleged cause for procrastination in the exam
inaion and adjustment of our Claims arises from an
obstacle which it is the duty of the Spanish govern
ment to remove. Whilst the captain-general of Gu
ba is invested with general despotc authority in the
government of that island, the power is withheld
from him to examine and redress wrongs committed
by officials under his control, citizens of tn,
United States. Instead of making our complaints
directly to him at Havana obliged to presen
them through our Minister at Madrid. These ar,
then referred back to the captaingeneral for nfor
nation; and much time is thus consumed in prelim
| mary investigations and correspondence between
Madrid and Cuba, before the Spanish geyernmen
will consent to proceed to negotiation. Many of tn
| difficulties between the two governments would b
obviated, and long train of negotiation avoided
the captain-general were invested with authority
settle questions of easy solution the spot wher
all the facts are fresh and could be promptly ant
satisfactorily ascertained We have hitherto in vail
urged upon the Spanish government, to confer thi
power upon the captain-general, and our mlnlste
to Spain will again be instructed to urge this sub
ject on their notice. In this respect, we occupy
different position from the powers of Europe. Cub
is almost within sight of our shores our commerc
with it is far greater than that of any other nation
including Spain ITSELF and our citizens are in habit
of daily and extended personal intercourse will
every part of the island. Il is, therefore, grea
grievance that, when any difficulty occurs, no mat
ter how unimportant which might be readily settles
| at the moment, we should be obliged to resort Il
Madrid, especially when the very first step to be ta
ken there is to refer it back to Cuba
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing colonia
condition, is constant source of injury and annoy
to the American people 1t is the only spot il
the civilized world where the African slave-tade
tolerated; and we are bound by treaty with ,Grea
Britain, to maintain naval force on the coast Q
Africa, at much expense both Of life and treasure
solely for the purpose Of arresing slAvers bound
that island The late serious difficulties between tn
d q, search now 50 happily terminated, could neve
have arisen if Cuba had not afforded market 70