, 1858-01-22

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Congress passed an act Offering to all nations to ad
mGtheir vessels laden with THEN national prduction,
into the ports of the United STATES upon the salnt
terms with our own vessels uruyidcd tley could re
ci.roCate to similar Advantage. The act confined
the reciprocity to the projections Of the respective
foreign nations who might enter into the proposed
rangemcnt with the United States. The act of May
"a, l~2S removed this estlctian and offered a simi
lar reciprocity to all such vessel, without reference
to tle origin of their curgoes Upon these principles
our commercial treaties and auaug ugoncnts have cen
4 founded, except with France and let Us hope that
this exception ray not long exist.
Our relations with Russia rtmain, they have cvel
been, On tie most friendly footing. The present I'm
pCror ueli as his predecessor, have never failed
TO oar country; md thoir friendship has GWuys been
4 highly appreciated by the government and peop'e Of
the United States.
With all ether European governments, except that
Of Spain, our relations peaceful as We could dc
sire regret to say that no progress whatever las
been made, since the adjournment oil Cungless To-
wards the settlement of any OF tue numerous claims
| of our citizens against the Spanish Government Be
sides, the OatrGge committed our dag by the Span
ish warfrigae Ferrolana the high seas O tie coast
Of Cuba, in March, 1855, BY firing ltO the American
mail steamer III Dorado and OBTAINING and searching
her, remains unacknowedged and unredresscd. The
general tone and temper OF the Spanish Government
towards that Of the United States are much T. be re-
GREETED. Our present Envoy Extraordinary and Min
ister Pcnpoentiay to Madrid has asked TO be recall
ed; and it is my purpose to send out new Minister
]
pending between the two governments aud with de-
termination to have them speedily and amicably ad-
justed IL this be possible In the meantime, whenev-
er our Mlister urges the Just claims OF our citizens
the notice Of the Spanish Government he is met with
the objection that Congress have made the ap-
propriaton recommended by President Polk in his
Annual Message Of December, 1877, TO be naid to
the Spanish Government for the purpose of dstrbu-
ton among the claimants in the Amistad cae.n A
similar recommendation was made by my immediate
predecessor in his message OF December, 1855 and
entirely concurrng with both in the opinion that this
indemnity is justly due under the treaty with Spain
Of the 9th October 1875 learnesty recommend such
appropriation to the favorable consideration Of Con-
gress.
A treaty of friendship and commerce was eoncluded
at Constantnople on the 18th December, 1866 be-
tween the United States and Persia, the ratieatiOns
Of which were exchanged at Constaptinople on the
18th June 1851 and the treaty was proclaimed by the
President the 18th August 1867. This treaty Il is
believed will prove beneficial to American commerce
The Shah has manifested earnest disposition to
cultivate friendly relations with our country and has
expressed strong wish that we should be represent
ed at Tehernn by Minister Plenipoientary; and
recommend that an appropriation be made for this
purpose.
Recent occurrences in China have been unfavorable
to a revision of the treaty with that empire OF the Sd
July 1874 with view TO the security aud extension
Of our commerce. The oath article Of this treaty
stipulated for revision Of in experience should
prove this tD be requisite n which case the two gov
ernments will, at the expiration Of twelve years from
I
the same, by means OF suitable persons appointed to
conduct such negotiations These twelve years ex-
pred on the Sd July 1856 bat long before that period
1t ascefained that changes In the trea
ty necessary; and several fruitess attempts
made by the commissioner OF the United States 10 ef
feet these changes. Another effort was about 10 be
made for the same purpose by our commissioner, In
conjunction with the ministers Of England and France
but this suspended by the occurrence Of hostties
in the Canton river bstween Great Britain and the
Chinese Empire. These hosttes have necessarily
ls.t.. H.
which Is now in state OF blockade, and have occa,
stoned serious loss Of life and property. Meanwhile
the insnection within the empire against the existing
imperial dynasty still continues, and 1t Is difficult to
anticipate what will be the result.
Under these circumstances. have deemed II advis-
able to appoint distinguished citizen Of Pennsylvania
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PlenipOtentiary to
proceed to China and to avail himself OF any oppor
tuntes which may offer to effect changes In the exist
ing treaty favorable to American commerce. lie LETT
the United States for the place Of his destination In
July last in the steamer Minnesota Special min
sters to China have also been appointed by the gov
ernments Of Great Britain and France
Whilst our minister has been instructed to occupy
neutral position in pfcltnee TO the Existing hostes
at Canton, he will cordially cooperate with the British
and French ministers In oil peaceful measures 10 &c
cure by treaty stpaaions, those just concessions TO
commerce which the niti0ns Of the world have right
to expect, and which China cannot long be permitted
to withhold. From assurances received, entertain
no doubt that the three ministers will act In hdrmon
Gus concert 10 obtain similar commercial treaties for
each Of the powers they represent.
We cannot fail to feel deep interest in all that con-
Germs the welfare Of the independent republics
own continent az well OF The empire Of Brazil.
Our difficulties with New Grarada, which fhort
time since bore threatening an aspect, are, i to
he hoped, in fair train Of settlement in maaner
just and honorable to both parties. t
The Isthmus Of Central America, including that Of
Panama Is the great highway between the Atlantic
and Pacific, over which a large portion Of the com.
merce Of the world Is destined to pass. The United
States are more deeply interested than any other
ton in preserving the freedom and security Of all the
communications across this isthmns. Il Is our duty
therefore to take care that they shall not be inter
rupted either by invasons from our own country or
by wars between the Independent States of Central
america. Under our treaty with New Granada Of the
18th December 1876, we are bound TO guaranty the
neutrality Of the Isthnus Of Panama, through which
the Panama railroad passes. 'as well the rights Of
sovereignty and property which New Granada has
and possesses over the said Territory" This obliga
ton is founded upon equivalents granted by the treaty
to the Government and people Of the United States.
Under these circumstances, recommend
TO Congress the passage Of an act authori-
zing the President, in case of necessity, TO
employ the land aud naval forces Of the
United States to carry into effect this guar
antee Of neutrality and protection. | also
recommend similar legislation for the secu-
rity Of any other route across the Isthmus
in which we may acquire an interest by
treaty.
With the independent republics on this
continent it is both our duty and our inter
est to cultivate the most friendly relations
We can never feel Indifferent to their fate
and must always rejoice in their prosperity.
Unfortunately both for them and for u.s.
our example and advice have lost much of
their influence in consequence of the lawless
expeditions which have been fitted ont
against some Of them within the limits of
our country. Nothing is better calculated
to retard our steady material progress, or
impair our character as nation than the
liberation of such enterprises in violation of
the law of nations.
1t is one Of the first and highest duties of
any Independent State, in its relations with
the members Of the great family of nations,
TO restrain their citizens or subjects The
most eminent writers on public law do not