Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-17
VOL. 81, NO. 81.

the Union. Such vexations interruptions could
not fail to excite the feelings of the country.
and to require tho interpostlon OF the govern
ment. Remonssrauces were addressed to the
! British government against these violations OF
cur rights OF sovereignty, and paysl force
was at the sime time ordered to Inc Cuban wa
ters, With directions ''te protect all vessels Of
.be United States 90 the high seas, freu search
OF detention by the vessels Of war of any 9th
er nation" These measures received the un-
qualified aud even enthusiastic appreciation Of
the American people. Most fortunately. hcw-
ever, no collision took place, and the British
government promptly ayowed its recognition of
| the principles OF international law upon this
subjecf, as laid Gown by the government of the
! United States, 10 the note OF the Secretary Of
! State to the British Minister at Washington.
! OF April 10, 1888, which secure the vessels of
/ the United States upon the high seas from vis-
liation or search in time oil peace, under any
! circumstances whatever. The claim has been
abandoned in manner rejecting honor on the
British government, aud evincing just regard
| for the law of nations, aud cannot fail to
strengthen the amicable relations betweeu the
| two countries.
! The British government, az tie same time,
proposed TO the United States tba, some mode
should be adopted by mutual arrangement be-
tween the two countries, OF character which
may be found effective, without being offensive,
! for verifying the nationality Of vessels sus-
pccted, cn good grounds, of carrying false col
ors. They have also invited the Uaited States
| to take the initiative, and propose measures for
| this purpose. Whilst declining to assume so
/ grave i responsibility, the Secretary Of S,a:e
! has informed the British government that We
are ready to re;eive any proposals which they
may feel disposed to offer, having this object in
! view, and to consider them ia an amic4bie spir-
| i. strong opinion il, however, expressed,
| that the occasional abuse Of the flag of any
nation is az evil far less to be deprecated, than
| would be the establishment Of any regulations
| which might be incompatible with tie freedom
Of the seas. This government has yet reeeis-
| ed no communication specifying the mauner IN
/ which The British government would propose to
CARY ont then suggesiiou, and / all inclined
! to bsiieye that 60 plan winch can be devised,
viii be free from grave eulbarrassments. Still
| s;,asl form no decided opinion on the subject.
a-.sil ! s...,l have carefully and ia the bes.
spirit examined any proposal which they may
! think proper 10 make.
| an, ;luly sorry | cannot also Inform you
that the complications between Great Britain
and the Uuited States, arising out OF the Clay
ton an Buiwer treaty Of april, 1850, have
been fuaiiy adjusted.
1t the commencement Of your last session,
had reason to hope that, emapeipa.ing them
selves from further unavailing discussions, tie
two governments would proceed to settle the
Central American question in a practical man
BeT, alike honorable aud satisfactory to both;
and this hope have not yet abandoned. Ia
/ l., ]
had been made By the BRUSH government for
this purpose, IN friendly spirit, which / COR
daily reciprocated. Their proposal was to
withdraw these questions from direct neeotia-
ton between tue two governments; but to ac-
colDpliah the same object by negotiation be-
tween the British government and each of The
Central American republics whose territorial
Interests are Immediately involved. The set
Element vas TO be msde in aecordauce with the
general tenor OF the Interpretation pu: UPON
the Clayton and Bulwef treaty by the United
| States, with certain notifications. As Reeo-
tiatlons are stii! pending upon this oasis, it
would not bs proper for Tue DOW to conmuui-
cate their present condition. 4 anal settle
ment ot these questions is greatly to be Gesi-
red, as this would wipe out the las, remaining
subject between the two countries.
Our relation with the great empires of France
| and Russia, as we'll as with all other govern
ments on the continent of Europe, except
that Of Spain, eoaijaue to be Of the NEST
friendly character.
With Spain our relations remain in an un-
satisfactory condition. Ia my message of De-
cerbe, last, informed you that our envoy ex-
tranrdihary and minister plenipoteuiiary to
aladrid had asked for his recall; and it was nv
purpose to send out new minister 10 that
court, With special instructions on all ques-
tions pendiuga between the two governments,
and with u determination TO have them speedily
aud amicab,y adjusted, if that were possible.
This purpose has been hitherto defeated by
causes which need not enu,nerAtc.
The mission to Spain has been intrusted 10
distinguished citizen of Kentucky, who will
proceed TO Madrid without delay, and make
another and final attempt TO obtain justice
| from that governui emit.
Spanish officials, under the direct control of
the Captain General Of Cuba, have insuited
our national flag, and, 10 repeated instances.
have from time to time, Inflicted injuries on the
persons and property of our citizens Theae
have given birth to numerous claims against
! the Spanish government, the merits of which
have been ably discussed for series OF years,
BY our Successive diplomatic representatives
] Notwithstanding this, we have not arrived at a
practical result in any single instance, uniess
we may except the case OF the Black Warrior,
under the late administration; aud that pre-
sented an outrage of such character as would
have justified an immediate resnrb to war. sAi
our attempts to obtain redress have been baf-
fed and defeated. The frequeut and oft-re-
curing changes in the Spanish ministry have
been employed reasons for delay. We have
been compelled 10 wait again and again, until