Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1858-12-15
WHOLE NUMBER 1888.

sed to Offer having this object in view, and to con-
slider them in an amicable spirit. A strong opinion
is, however, expressed, that the occasional abuse of
the flag of any nation, evil far less to be depre
Gated than would be the establishment Of any rc-u
latons which might be incompatible with the fie,-
dom of the seas. This government has vet received
no communication specifying the manner in which |
the British government would propose to carry out
their suggestion; and am inclined u believe that
plan which be devised, will be free from |
grave endorsements. Still, [ shall form no decd-
= ed opinion the subject, until shall have care
fully ami IN the best spirit examined any proposals
which they may think proper 10 make.
TIE cLAYTON-BULwER TREATY
am truly Sorry | cannot also inform 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. had
reason to hore that. cmancpating themselves from
further unayailing discussions the two governments
would proceed TO settle the Central American ques-
tions in practical manner. alike honorable and sa-
tisfactory to both; and this hope / have not We.
abandoned In my last annual message | stated
that ovcrturcs had been made by the British govern
ment for this purpose, in friendly spirit which |
cordially reciprocatcd 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-
Publics whose territorial interests Immediately
involved The settlement was to be made in ac-
corance with the general tenor of the Interpretation
placed upon the Clayton and Bulwcr treaty by the
United States. with certain notifications. As ncgo-
tatons arc still pending upon this basis it would
not bc proper for now to communicate their pre-
sent condition. \ final settlement of these Gucs-
tions is greatly to be desired rs this would wipe out
the last remaining subject of dispute between the
two countries
CONTINENTAL RELATIoxS-sPAIx.
Our relations with the great empires of France and
Russia, as well swith all other governments on the
continent CT Europe except that of Span continue
to be OF the most friendly character
With Spain relations remain i'm an unsatis-
factory condition. I'm my message of December last
informed You that our envoy extraordinary and
minister penipoentiary TO Madrid had asked for his
recall and it was my purpose 10 send ont
minister to that court, with special instructions Oh
all questions pending between the two governments
and with determination to have them speedily and
ancaby adjusted, if that were possible. This pur-
pose has been hitherto defeated by causes which |
need not cnlImerate
The mission to Spain has been intrustcd to a dis
tnguished citizen of Kentucky who will proceed to
Madrid without delay, and make another and final
attempt to obtain justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under the direct control of the
capain-gcneral of Cuba have inSulted our national
flag, and in repeated instances. have from time to
time inflicted injuries the persons and property
of our citizens. These have given birth to n,lner-
ouS claims against the Spanish government. the
merits of which have been ably discussed for Sc
rics of years, by successive diplomatic reprcsen
tatlvcs. Notwithstanding this. have not arrived
! al practical result in any single instance unless
may except the of the Black Warrior under
the late administration and that presented out
rage of such character would have justified an
immediate resort TO war. All our attempts 10 OBJ
| tain redress have been baiiied and defeated The
frequent and ottrccurTing changes in the Spanish
ministry, have bccn employed reasons for delay
; We have been compelled TO wait again and again
until the new minister shall have had time to nvc-
ti.satc the justice of orr demands.
Even what have been dcnominatcd "thc Cuban
claims,' in which more than hundred of citi-
zens are directly interested have furnished cx-
Ception These claims were for the refunding of
duties unustly exactcd from American vessels at
different custom-houses in Cuba, long ago the
year 1914 The principles upon which they rest arc
so manfcStly equitable and just that after period
of nearly ten Years. in 1851, they were recognised
by the Spanish government. Proceedings were af-
tcrwardS instituted TO ascertain their amount and
this finally fixed according to their own ssaie-
mcnt with which we satisfied at the sum of
one hundred and twenty eight thousand six hundred
and thirtyve dollars and fifty -four cents. Just at
the moment, after delay of fourteen Years. when
we had reason to expect that this sum wpsh be re-
paid with interest we haze received apr9posal offer
ing to refund onc-third Of. that amount Gsrty-two
thousand eight hundred and seyenty-eight@ dollars
and forty-one cents.) but without interest, if VIC
would accept this in full satisfaction. The offer is
also, accompanied bysa declaration that this ipdcm
MITIGATION is not founded any of strict JUS
ticc; but is made a special favor.
One alleged cause for representation in the exam
inaton and adjustment ofour claims, arises from an
, obstacle which it is tfdaty of the Spanish govern
mcnt TO remove. Whilst the captain general of Gu
ba is invested with general despotc authority in tho
| government of that island. the power is withheld
, from him to examine and redress wrongs committed
+ by officials under his control on citizens of tn,
United States. Instead of making orr complaint:
directly to him at Havana obliged to present
g tbsp through our Ministersat Madrid These art
Hh referred back to the captaingeneral for infor
rlation; and much time is thus consumed in prclim
,x&pary investigations and correspondence between
A6adrid and Cuba, before the Spanish government
will consent to proceed to negotiation. Many of h
tt difficulties between the two governments would b
obvated and long train of negotiation avoided,
the captain-general invested with authority I,
settle questions of easy solution the spot wher
all the facts 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-gcneral, and our ministe
to Spain will again be instructed to urge this sub
ject on their notice. In this respect, we occupy
differctf position from the powers of Europe Cub
is almost within sight of our shores; our commerce
with it is far greater than that of any other nation
including Spain itself and our citizens in habit
of daily and dSextended personal intercourse will
r every part of the island 1t is therefore, grea
grievance that when any difficulty occurs, no mat
ter how unimportant which mig ght be readily settle
| at the moment we should be Obliged to resort t
Madrid especially when the very first step to be ia
f ken there is to refer it back to Cuba.s~
Y The truth is that Cuba, in its existing colonia
f condition, is constant of injury and annoy
to the American people, 1t is the only spot
the civilized world where the African slavetrade
a tolerated; and we are bound by treaty with Grea
; Britain, to maintain naval force on the coast G
: Africa, at much expense both of life and treasure
solely for the purpose of arreStng slayers bound
that island The late serious difficulties between tn
/ United States and Great Britain respecting the rgh
of search, now so happily terminated, could neve