Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-10

reports, are herewith submitted. 1t Will bt
seen by their report of the Sd of July last, tina
they have fully confirmed the opinion express
ed by General Johnston in the previous Octo
Der, as to the necessity of sending reinforce
ments to Utah. In this they state that the
"are firmly impressed with the belief that thu
preser ce Of the army here and the large addi.
iional force that had been ordered to this Ter.
ritory, were the chief inducements that caused
the Mormons to abandon the idea oil resisting
the authority of the United States. A less de.
cisive policy would probably have resulted ir
long, bloody and expensive war.
these gentlemen conducted themselves &c
my en'ire satisfaction, and rendered useful
services in executing the humane intention.
of the government.
1t also affords me great satisfaction to state
that Governor Cumming has performed his
duty IN an able and concilia:ory manner, and
with the happiest effect. l cannot, in this
connection, refrain from mentioning the vau-
able services of Col. Thomas l.. Kane, who,
from motives of pure benevolence, and with
OUT any ofhcial character or pecuniary COM
pensation, visited Utah during the last in
clement winter for the purpose of contributing
to the pacfcaion Of the Territory.
am happy to inform you thot the Govern
or and other civil officers of Utah are now
performing their appropriate functions with
out resistance. The authority of the constitu-
ton and the laws has been fully restored, and
peace prevails throughout the Territory.
portion of the troops sent TO Utah are
now cncamped in Cedar valley: "A miles
southwest of Salt Lake City; and the remain
der have been ordered to Oregon to suunress
Indian hostilities.
I The march of the army to Salt Lake City,
through the Indian Territory. has had pow
ertul effect in restraining the hostile feelings
against the United States which existed
among the Indians in that region, and in Sc
curing emigrants to the far West against their
depredations. his will also be the mean, of
establishing military posts and promoting set
Elements along the Route.
recommend that the benefit of our land
laws and presumption system be extended to
the people af Utah, by the establishment Of a
land office in that Territory.
have occasion also to congratulate YOU on
The result OF our negotiations with China.
You were inform by my last annual II es-
sage, that our Minister had been instructed to
occupy neutral position in the hostilities
conducted by Great Britain and France
against Canton. He was, however, at the
same time directed to cooperate cordially
with the British and French Ministers. in all
peaceful measures to secure by treaty those
just concessions to foreign commerce. which
the nations of the world had right to de-
mand. 1t was imposs BILE for me to proceed
further than this on my own authority. with
out usurping the war-making power, which,
under the constitution, belongs exclusively to
Congress.
Besides. after careful examination of the
nature and extent of our grievances, did not
believe that they were of such a pressing and
aggravated character ne would -;
ongress in declaring war against the Chinese
Empire, without first making another earnest
attempt to adjust them by peaceful negotia.
ton. L was the more inclined to this opinion
because of the severe chastisement which had
then but recently been inflicted upon the Chi
nese by our squadron, in the capture and des-
truction OF the Barrier forts, to avenge an al
legged insult to our flag.
The event has proved the wisdom of our
neutrality. Our minister has executed his in
struetion with eminent skill and ability, In
conjunction with the Russian plenipotentiary,
he has peacefully but etfectually co-opera.
ted with the English and French plenipoten-
tiaries; and each of the four powers has con-
cludsd separate treaty with China, of
highly satisfactory character. The treaty
concluded by our own plenipotentiary will
Immediately be submitted to the Senate.
energetic yet conciliatory efforts of our Consul
General in Jai an, new treaty has been con-
cluded with that empire, which NAV be ex-
ected materially to augment our trade and
intercourse IN that quarter, and remove from
our countrymen the disabilities which have
heretofore been imposed upon the exercise uf
their religion, The treaty shall lie submitted
to the Senate for approval without delay.
It is my earnest desire that every ni>o,der-
standing with the government of Great Brlt-
ain should be amicably and speedily adjusted,
II has been the misfortune of both countries,
almost ever since the period Of the revolution,
to have been annoyed by succession Of rri-
tating 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 interest.
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
ofthe earth which could do each other so much
good or so much ham.
Entertaining these sentiments am gratifed to
inform Won that the long pending controversy be-
tween the two governments in relation TO the
question Of visitation and Search has been ami
Britain forciblY to visit American vessels on the
iigh SEAS in time of peace, could not be sustain
ed under the law of nations, aud it has been ov-
erruled by her own most eminent jurists. :
This question was recently brought to an is>u
by the repeated acts Of British cruisers in board
ing and searching our merchants vessels in the
Gulf or Mexico and the adjacent seas These
acts were the more injurious and ANNOYING as
these waters are traversed by large portion Of
the commerce and navigation of the United
Sta rbair FROG nj
sential to the security Of the coaswise trade be-
tween the different States Of the Union. Such
vexatious interruptions could not fail to excite
the feelings OF the country. and the interpositon
of the government. RESPONSIVENESS were ad-
dressed 10 the British Government against the
VIOLATIONS of our rights of sovereignty. and ma
vat force was at the same time ordered to the Gu
ban waters with directions 'sto protect all YES
sells Of theCnite States the high seas from
search OF detention by the vessels of war of any
other nation. These measures received the un-
qualified and enthusiastic appreciation Of the A
Inerican people. Most fortunately, however no
collision took place, ond the British governme MT
promptly avowed its recognition Of the principles
Of international law upon this subject, as laid
down by t @ government of the United States
the note Of the Secretary of State to the Brit
ish Minister at Washington, of April 10, 1858,
which secure the vessels of the United States up
on the high seas from visitation of search in time
OF peace, under any circumstances whatever
iHe claim mas uteA aodHuoheu IN 4 manner re-
heetng honor on the british government, and /
evncing 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 |
to the United States that some mode |
should be adopted by mutual agreement between
the two countries, of character which may be !
found effective without being offensive for ver |
flying the nationality of vessels suspected on GOO d t
grounds of carrying false ooiors. They have al
so invited the United States to take the initia-
tive. and propose measures for this purpose
Whilst declining to assume so grave a
responsibility, the Secretary of State has informed