Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-12-10


State 20 the British Minister at Washington, OF
April 10, 1853 which secure the vessels OF the uni
ted States, upon the high seas from visitation or
search In time OF peace, under any circumstances
whatever The claim has been abandoned In a
manner rejecting honor on the British Govern
ment, and evincing just regard for the law Of ma
tions, and cannot fail to strengthen the amicable
relations between the two countries, ~,
The British Government et the same time pro
posed 10 the United States that some mode should
be adopted, by mutual arrangement between the
two countries Of q character which may be found
effective without being Offensive, for verifying the
carrying false colors. they have also iavited the
United states to take the initiative, and propose
measures for this purpose, While declining 20 es
sumo so Craze responsibility, the Sec'y Of State
has informed the British Government that we are
readyto receive any proposals which they may feel
disposed to offer, having this object In view, and
to consider theri in nm amicablc spirit. A strong
opinion Is, however, expressed, that the occasional
abuse Of the sg OF any nation 10 an evil far less TO
deprecated than would be 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 10
carry out their suggestion; and am inclined to
believe that plan which can be devised, will be
free from grave smbarrassments. Still, ! shall
form decided opinion on the subject until shall
have carefully and in the bestspirit examined any
proposals which they may think proper 70 make.
the complications between Great Britain and the
United States arising out of the Clayton-Bulwer
Treaty Of April, 1860, have been finally adjusted.
At the commencement Of yonr 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 questions in a practical manner, alike honor
able and satisfactory TO both; and this hope have
not yet abandoned In my last Annual Message, i
stated that overtures had been made by the British
Government for this purpose in a friendly spirit
which cordially reciprocated. Their proposal
was, TO Withdraw these questions from direct me-
gotiatlon between the two gosernmeuts, but TO ac
complish the same object 6y negotiation between
tie British government and each Of the Central
American Republics whose territorial interests are
Immediately involved. The settlement was To- be
made in accordance with the general tenor Of the
Interpretation placed upon the Clayton and Bulwer
Treaty by the United States with certain modif-
cations As negotiations are still pending upon
this basis twoud not be proper for me now 20 COM
municate their present condition. final settle
ment Of these questions is greatly to be desired as
this would wipe out the last remaining subject of
dispute between the two countries.
Our relations with the great Empires of France
and Russia, as well as with all other Governments
on the Continent Of Europe, except that Of Spain
continue to be of the most friendly character. q
With spain our relations remain in an unsatis-
factory condition. In my message Of December
last, informed you that our Envoy Extraordna-
| ry and Minister Pienipotentiary TO Madrid had
/ asked lQf Dis teCatis tnu " was my PURPOSE 70
| send out new minister to that court, with spe-
cial instructions on all questions pending be
tween the two Governments and with determtn-
| tion to have them speedily and amicably adjust
| ed, II that were possible. This purpose has been
hitherto defeated by causes which need NOT emu
| merate. tsaA
| The mission to Spain has been intrusted to q
| distinguished citizen Of Kentucky who will pro-
ceed 10 Madrid without delay, and make another
and final attempt TO obtain justice from that
l Government "a
| Spanish officials under the direct oontrel of the
| Captain General OF Cuba, have insulted our ma
tiohal tag, and In repeated instances, have from
time to time inflicted injuries on the persons and
property Of our citizens, These have given birth
10 numerous claims against the Spanish govern
ment, the merits Of which have been ably dis
cussed for aseries Of years. BY our successive di-
plomatic representatives.. Notwithstanding this,
we have not arrived at a practical result In any
single instance, unless We may except the case Of
the Black Warrior under the late ADMINISTRATORS;
and that presented an outrage OF such oharac-
| ter as would have justified an immediats resort
TO war. All our attempts to obtain redress have
been baffied 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 investigste
the justice Of our demands -
Even what have been denominated 'ihe Cuban
| claims," in which moro than . hundred OF our
cAizens are directly interested, have furnished
| no exception. These claims were for tho refund-
ing of duties upjustly exactsd from American
vessels at different Custom Houses in Cpbs so
| long ago as the year 1874. The principles upon
| which they rest are 80 manifestly equitable and
just that, after period OF nearly ten years. In
1854, were recognized by sne spanish govern
ment froeeeangs were si.eiwaaa ins.,,a.sa s -
ascertain .aei, snoaa ana sns 80
accolains ~ .uoh az n, ~ si % AK a. Just A.
% %ate sar, asssr SsIsv af yourtcen yeays when
a ~ haS rsasnn to xnect that tbia ann wouId be
repaid with interest. we have received proposal
Offering to refund one.third OF that amount iS42,-
s7s All, but without interest," If we would accept
this in full satisfaction. The offer ia also accom-
panied by declaration that this indemnincat,on
is not founded on any reason OF strict Jusuce ou'
Is made Is sPecial iayor. A., a..
one aneseu oausS ~. "s w.
exAmtne.loa suu !, = ~, ~ Sn,. - ~
zee itoin an oos.ae,o = ',.e VIII ~
/ spanish us 1ose.I C..s. = ..as,.a liz ,sr'
y. - ~ -n go :.
efai oespoAc Aasnoiisy ~ ~ r,e ~. ~ -
tnas isianA' sns pose1 - Nt'npp'A ... =
examiee ahq ieutess r'onss ss - ~; ~;
ciais pnasf h,s consrol On stueens =, sao
ted states insteaa ot msklns ou' = =
directly 70 MN Az havana, we asc oo,,eeu =
present them through our mis,os ~ Gasenis
rness sss snsn "a n,rsh s;,ae y sha.
General ior inIo,mAnon sna = =. ..
consnmed ~ s..'a. ala Isl Ss.h. has'., -
resPonsenSo 1os = Iii, ~ ....s :, so'
tne spshisn w - ~ S;a;s.S oseeu -
70 negoiia.ioH; ~ a,p t TIAbaies r ss;..s ee
tween me 'wo s;..;, h 49,. "a y 49, e !
snd .ong us,n ', ~ ~ sss,sd s;sh ss