The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

treaty concluded by our own pienipotentiary will
Immediately be submitted to the Senate.
am happy to announce that through the ener.
getic yet conciliatory efforts of Consul General
in Japan, a new treaty has been concluded with
that Empire, which may be expected materially to
augment our trade and intercourse in that quarter
which have heretofore been imposed upon the ex-
ercise of their religion. The treaty shall be SUBJ
mitted to the Senate for approval without delay.
1t is my earnest desire that every misunderstand-
ing with the government of Great Britain should
be amicably and speedily adjusted. 1t has been
the misfortune of both countries, almost ever
since the period of the revolution, to have been
annoyed by succession of irritating and danger
GUS questions threatening their friendly relations
This has partially prevented the full Developments
OF those feelings Of mutual friendship between the
people OF the two countries, natural in them
selves 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.
Entertaining these sentiments, am gratifed to
informyou that the long pending controversy be-
tween the two governments, in relation to the
question of visitation and search, has been
amicably adjusted. The claim on the part of
Great Britain forciby to visit American vessels on
the high seas in time of peace could not be sus-
tanned under the laws of nations, and it has been
overruled by her own most eminent jurists. This
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
and navigation of the United States, and their free
and unrestricted is essential to the security of
the coastwse trade between different States of the
Union. Such vexatious interruptions could not
fail to excite the feelings of the country and to re-
quire the interpostion of the government. Re-
monstrances were addressed to the British govern
ment against these violations of our rights of
sovereignty, and naval force at the same
time ordered to the Cuban waters, with directions
to protect all vessels of the United States on the
high seas from search detention by the vessels
of war Of any other nation" These measures
received the unqualified and even enthusiastic
appreciation ofthe American people. Most FORUM
ately, however, no collision took place, and the
British government promptly avowed It's recogn-
ton 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 20, 1858 which secure the vessels of the u.
States upon the hig from vsltations of search
IN time OF peace, under any circumstance whatever
The claim has been abandoned in a manner reflect
ing honor on the British government, and evincing
just regard for the law of nations and cannot fail
to strengthen the amicable 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 agreement between the two
countries, of character which may be effective
without being offensive, for verifying the nation
rying false coors. They have also invited the U.
States to take the initiative; and propose
for this purpose Whilst declining to assume so
grave responsibility the Secretary of State has
informed the British government that
ready to receive any proposals which they may
feel disposed to offer, having this object in view,
and to consider them in amicable spirit. A
strong opinion however is expressed that the
l l-l~..- Al
far less to be deprecated than would be the estab
lishment of any regulations which might be in
compatible with the freedom of the seas. This
government has yet received no communication
specifying the manner in which the British gov
ernment would propose to carry out their sugges-
ton: and am inclined to believe that plan
which can be devised, will be free from grave EN-
barrassments. Still, shall form no decided opin-
ion the subject until have carefully and in the
best spirit examined any proposals which they may
think proper to make.
| i am truly sorry cannot also inform you that
the complications between Great Britain and the
United States, arising out of the Clayton aud Bull
wer treaty of April 1885, have been finally adjusted
At the commencement of your last session, had
reason to hope that, emancipating themselves from
| further unavailing discussions, the two govern
ments would proceed to settle the Central Ameri-
can question in practicable manner, alike honor
able and satisfactory to both and this hope I
have not yet abandoned. In my last annual mes
sage, stated that overtures had been made by the
|
spirit, which cordially reciprocated Their pro-
position was to withdraw these questions from di-
rect negotiation between the two governments:
| but to accomplish the same object, by q negotia-
| ton between the British Government and each Of
the Central American republics whose territorial
! interests are Immediately involved. The settle
ment was to be made in accordance with the gene
raj tenor of the Interpretation placed upon the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty by the United States,
with certain notifications. As negotiations are
still pending upon this basis it would not be proper
for me now TO communicate their present condition.
final settlement of these questions is greatly TO
be desired, as this would wipe out the last remain
ing dispute between the two countries.
Our relations with the great empires OF Franco
and Russia, as well as all other governments the
continent of Europe, except that ofSpain continue
to be of the most friendly character
With Spain relations remain in an unsatis-
factory condition. in my message of December
last informed you that our Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plcnipotentiary to Madrid had asked
for his recall; and 1t was my purpose to send out
a new minister to that court, with special instruc-
tions on all questions pending between the two
governments, and with determination to have
them speedily and amicably adjusted, if that were
possible. This purpose has been hitherto defeated
by causes which need not enumerate.
| The mission has been entrusted to a distinguish
ed citizen of Kentucky, who will proceed to Madrid
without delay, and make another and final at
tempt to obtain justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under the direct control of the
Captain General of Cuba have insulted our nation
al flag and in repeated instances, have from time
to time inflicted injuries on the persons and pro-
perty of our citizens. These have given birth to
numerous claims against the Spanish government
the merits of which have been ably discussed for
series of years, by our successive diplomatic rep
resentatives. Notwithstanding this, we have not
arrived at practical resultin any single instance
unless we may except the of the Black Warrior
under the late administration; and that presented
an outrage of such character as would have iusti
fed en- immediate resort to war. All our attempts
to obtain redress have been baffled and defeated
The frequent and oft recurring changes in the
Spanish ministry, have been employed as reasons
for delay. We have been compelled to wait again
and again, until the new minister shall have had
time to investigate the justice of our demands.
Even what have been denominated "the Cuhan
Claims" }" in which more than hundred of our cit
izens are directly interested have furnished no
exception. These claims were for the refund;uo
OF duties unjusty exacted from American vesse1s
at different custom houses in Cuba, 50 long ago as
the year 1874. The principles upon which they
rest are SO maniiesty equitable and just that after
period OF nearly ten years, in 1854 they were
recognized by the Spanish government Proceed
ings were afterwards instituted to ascertain their
amount, and this was finally fixed according to
their own statement with which we are satisfed)at
the sum of one hundred and twenty eight thousand
six hundred and thirty-fve dollars and ffty-four
cents. Just at the moment, after delay of IA
years. when we had reason to expect that this sum
would be repaid with interest, we have received q
proposal offering to refund one-third of that amt
1forty-two thousand eight hundred and seventy
terest if would accept this in full satisfaction
The offer is also accompanied by declaration that
this indemnifcation is not founded on any reason
of strict Justice but Is made as a special favor