Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-22
Number Il.

!as'' that tney nave fully confirmed the opin- ion expressed by General Johnston in the usr. vious October, as to the necessity of sending endorsements to Utah. In this they state. that they 'are firmly impressed with the be. lief that the presence of the army here and the large additional force that had been ordered to this territory. were the chief inducements that reused the Mormons to abandon the idea of re- ssting the authority of the United States. A ed in long, bloody, and expensive war"
 These gentlemen conducted themselves to my entire satisfaction, and rendered useful ser- vice in executing the humane intentions of the government
 It also affords me great satisfaction to state, that Governor Cumming has performed his duty III an able and conciliatory manner. and with the happest effect I cannot, in this connex- lon, refraln from mentioning the valuable ser- wees oi Col. Thomas L. Kane, who, from mo- tves ol pure benevolence, and without any of. hclal character or pecuniary compensation, visit ed Utah during the last inclement winter, for the purpose of contributing to the pacifcation of the territory.
 am happy to inform you that the Governor and other civil officers of Utah, are now per- forming their appropriate functions without re- sistance. The authority of the constitution and the laws has been fully restored, and peace pre- wills throughout the territory.
 A portion of the troops sent to Utah are now encamped in Cedar valley, forty-four miles southwest of Salt Lake City; and the remain der have been ordered to Oregon to suppress Indian hostities.
 The march of the army to Salt Lake City, through the Indian territory, has had power- ful effect in restraining the hostile feelings against the United States, which existed among the Indians in that region, and in securing emil grants to 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 our land laws and pre-empton system be extended to the people of Utah. by the establishment of land office in that territory.
 have occasion, also, to congratulate you on the result of our negotiations with China
 You were informed by my last annual mes- sage that our minister had been instructed to occupy neutral position in the hostties con- ducted by Great Britain and France against Canton. He was, however, at the same time, directed to O. operate cordially with the British and French ministers, in all peaceful measures to secure by treaty those just concessions to for- eign commerce, which the nations of the world had right to demand It was impossible for me to proceed further than this on my own authority, without usurpng the war-making power, which, under the constitution, belongs exclusively to Congress.
 Besides, after careful examination of the na- ture and extent of our grievances, did not be- lieve they were of such a pressing and aggravat- ed character, as would have justified Congress in declaring war against the Chinese empire, without first making another earnest attempt to adjust them by peaceful negotiation. 1 was the more inclined to this opinion, because of the severe chastisement which had then and but recently been inflicted upon the Chinese by our squadron, in the capture and destruction of the Berrier forts, to avenge an alleged insult to our flag.
 The event has proved the wisdom of our neu- traity. Our minister has executed his instruc- tpns with eminent skill and ability. In con- junction with the Russian penipotentary, he has peacefully but effect1ally co-operated with the English and French penipotentiares, and each of the four powers has concluded a sepa- rate treaty with China, of highly satisfactory character. The treaty concluded by our own plenipotentary will immediately be submitted to the Senate.
 l am happy to announce that, through the energetic yet conciatory efforts of our consul general in Japan, new treaty has been con- cluded with that empire, which may be expect ed materially to augment OFT trade and inter- course m that quarter, and remove from our countrymen the disabilities which have hereto fore been imposed upon the exercise of their religion. The treaty shall be submitted to the Senate for approval without delay.
 It Is my earnest desire that every misunder- cta f tl,n, oc D. should be amicably and speedily adjusted. It has been the misfortune of both countries, almost ever since the period of the revolution, to have been annoyed by succession of irritating and dangerous questions threatening their friendly relations. This has partially prevented the full development of those feelings of mutual friend ship between the people of the two countries, so natural in themselves and so conducive to their common interest. Any serious interrup- tion between the United States and Great Bri- tan would be equally injudcious to both In fact, no two nations have ever existed on the face of the earth which could do each other 50 much good or so much harm.
 Entertaining these sentiments, I am gratified to inform you, that the long pending controver- sy between the two governments, in relation to the question of visitation and search, has been amicably ad djusted. The claim on the part of Great Britain, forcbly to visit American ves- sells on the high seas in time of peace, could not be sustained under the law of nations, and it had been overruled by her own most eminent ju- rlsts. This question was recently brought to an issue, by the repeated acts of British cruisers in boarding and searching our merchant vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and the adjacent seas- These acts were the more injurious and annoy- ing, as these waters are traversed by large portion of the commerce and navigation of the United States, and their free and unrestricted use Is essential to the security of the coastwise trade between different States of the Union
 Such vexatlous interruptions could not fail to excite the feelings of the country, and to re- quire the interposition of the government.- Remonstrances were addressed to the British government against these violations of our rights of sovereignty, and naval force was at the same time ordered to the Cuban waters. with directions to protect all vessels of the United States on the high seas, from search or detention by the vessels-of-war of any other natlon." These measures received the unaua- llted and even enthusiastic appreciation of the American people. Most fortunately, however, no collision took place, and the British govern ment promptly avowed its recognition of the principles of international law upon this sub yoO', eo iatu uo"H oy tHe government or the United States, in the note of the secretary of State to the British minister at Washington of April 10, 1858, which secures the vessels of the United States upon the high seas from vista tion or search in time of peace, under any cir- cumstances whatever. The claim has been abandoned in manner refecting honor on the British government, and evincing 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, proposed to the United States that some mode should be adopted by mutual arrangement be- tween the two countries of a character which may be found effective without being offensive. for verifying the nationality of vessels suspect. ed on good grounds of carrying false colors- They have also invited the United States to take the initiative, and propose measures for this purpose. While 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 amicabe spirit; A strong opinion is, however, express ed, that the occasional abuse of the flag of any nation, IS an evil far less to be deprecated than