Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-12-10

encampcd in Cedar Valley, forty -four miles south
west Of S alt Lake City and the remainder have
been ordered to Oregon to suppress Indian hos
tilities-
The march Of the army through Salt Lake City,
through the Indian territory, has had n powerful
effect in restraining the hostile feelings against the
United States, which existed among the Indians
in that region, and in securing emigraDts Of the
Far West against their depredations. This will
also be the means of establishing military posts
and promoting settlements along the route.
| recommend that the benefits Of cur Ian laws
and pre- cmpton system be extended to the people
Of Utah, by the establishment Of land office in
that Territory;
| have occasion also to congratulate you the
result of our negotiations with China.
You were informed by the last annual mes
sage that our minister had been instructed to
occupy neutral position in the hosri.itics
conducted by Great Britain and France against
[ Canton. He was however, at the same time,
directed to cooperate cordially with the Brit
ish and French ministers, in all peaceful
measures To secure Ey treaty those just con
ccssions to foreign commerce, which the ma
tions of the world demand. 1t VISA impossible
for me to proceed further than this, Oh my own
authority. without usurping the making
power, which, under the constitutions belongs
exclusively TO Congress.
Besides, after a careful examination of the
believe they were Of such pressing and az
grayated character, as would have justified
Congress in declaring war against the Chinese
empire. without first making another honest
attempt to adjust them by peaceful negotiation.
! was the more inclined 10 this opinion because
OF the severe chastisement which had then but
recently been inflicted upon the Chinese by
our squadron, in the capture and destruction
OF the Barrier forts, TO ayenge an alleged insult
TO our flag.
The result has proved the wisdom Of our
neutrality. our minister has executed his in
slrUctions with eminent skill and ability. In
conjunction with the Russian plenipoientiary,
he has peacefully, but effectually. co-operatcd
with the English and French plenipotentiaries;
and each of the four powers has concluded "A
separate treaty with China, of a highly salts
factory character. The treaty concludcd by
our own plcnipotentiary will Immediately be
submitted to the Senate.
am happy to announce that through the
energetic yet conciliatOry efforts Of oar con-
sui general in Japan, a treaty has been
concluded with that empire which may be cx-
pected materially to augment our trade and in
tercourse in that quarter and remove from
our countrymen the disabilities which have
heretofore been imposed upon the exercise Of
their religion The treaty shall be submitted
TO the Senate without delay.
II Is my earnest desire that every misunder-
standing with the government of Great Britain
should be 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 irrita-
ting and dangerous questions. threatening
their friendly relations This has partially
prevented the full development of those feel
ings of mutual friendship between the people
OF the two countries. so natural in themselves
and SO conducive to their common Interests
Any serious interruption of the commerce be-
tween 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 rratif i
To inform you, that the louc-pending cru;rover-
y between the two governments. in relation to
the question of visitation and search, has been
nmicnhly adjusted. The claim on the part #
Great Britain. forcby to visit American vessels
,u,iainei II uifer f N h tine Of peace. could not be
been over-ru'e ed by her own most eminent iurists
This question was recently brought T. an issue
by the repeated acts Of British cruisers. in
boarding and searching our merchant vessels in
the Gull of Mexico and the adjacent seas These
acts were the more injurious and annoying a.
these waters are trayersed by large portion of
the commerce and navigation of the Urited
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 feelings of the country, and to
require the intcrposiiion of the government
Rcmonstrances were addressed TO the British
government against these violations of our
rights Of sovereignty, and a naval force was al
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 war of anv other
nation. These measures received the un-
qualified and even enthusiastic appreciation of
the American people
Most fortunately, however. no collision took
place, and the British government promptly
avowed Its recognition OF the principles of in
ternational 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 TO- 1855.
which secure the vessels of the United States
upon the high seas from visitation or search in
time Of peace. under any circumstance what
ever. The claim has been abandoned in a
manner rejecting honor on the British gov
ernmcnt, and evincng a just regard for the
law of nations and cannot fail to strengthen
the amicable relations between the two coun-
tries
The British government at the same time pro-
posed to the United States that some mode should
be adopted by mutual arrang cement between tho
two countries. of n character which NAV he found
elective without being offensive, for verifying the
nationality of vessels suspected on good grounds
OF carrying false colors They have also invited /
the United States to take the initiative and pro
pose measures for this purpose. Whilst declining /
to assume 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 arncable shirt
strong opinion is. however expressed. that |
the occasional abuse of the flag of any nation is
AN evil far less to be deprecated than would he
the establishment of any regulations which ,
might be incompatible with the freedom of the
seas. This government has yet received no /
communication specifying the manner in which
The british government would propose to carry
out their suggestion and am inclined TO he
Iieve that no plan which can be devised will be
Tree from grave embarrassments Still. | shall
form no decided opinion on the subject until
shall have carefully and in the best spirit ex
imined any proposals which they may think
proper to make.
am truly sorry | cannot also inform YOU
hat the complications between Great Britain
ma the nlied States, arising out of the CLAY,