The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-11

and TO consider them in an amicable spirit
: a strong opinion is, however, expressed
that the occasional abuse Of the flag of any
nation is an evil far less to be deprecated
than would be the esta tablishmrnt of any re-
gulatlons which might be incompatible with
the freedom Of the seas. This government
has yet received no communication specify.
ing the manner in which the British govern
mcnt would propose to carry out their sug-
geston and arm inclined to believe that
no plan which can be devised will be free
from grave embarrassments. Still, | shall
form no decided opinion on the sub.ct until
| shall have carefully and in the best spirit
examined any proposals which they may
| think proper to make.
am truly sorry | cannot also inform yea
that the complications between Great Hri.
tain and the United States, arising out Of the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty Of April, 1850,
have been finally adjusted.
At the commencement Of your last ses-
sion. had reason to hope that, em.nc cipat-
I ing themselves from further unavailing dis
cusslons, the two governments would pro-
ceed to settle the Central American Gues-
ton in practical manner, alike honorable
and satisfactory to both; and this hope |
have not yet abandoned In nv last an.
hual message, ] stated that overturss had
been made by the British government for
this purpose, in friendly spirit, which /
coIdially reciprocsted. Their proposal was
to Withdraw these questions from direct ne.
sotation between the two governments;
bat to accomplish the same object by re-
gotiatien between the British governments
and each Of the Central American republics.
whose territorial interests are immediately
involved, The settlement was TO be made
ina nit, ~
Interpretation placed upon the Clayten and
Buiwer treaty ~ the United States. with
certain notifications. AS negotiations aro
still pending upon thi. basis, it would not
be proper for me now to communicate their
present condition. A final settlement of
these questions is greatly TO he desired, as
this would wipe out the last remaining sub.
iect Of dispute between two countries
Our relations with the great empire ef
France and Rnssia, as well with all other
governments on the continent Of Europe,
except that Of Spain, continue to be Of the
most friendly character.
With spain, our relations remain in an
unsatisfactory condition. In my message Of
December last informed Won that eur En-.
voy Extra r'iinary and Minister Plenipoten.
tiary to Madrid had asked FOR his recall;
and It was my purpose to send out new
minister 10 that court, with special nstrue-
tons on all questions pending between the
two governments, and with determination
to have them speedily and amicably adjust
ed, if that were possible. This purpose has
been hitherto defeated by causes which |
need not euumeIatp.
The mission to Spain has been entrusted
to distinguished citizen Of Kentucky, who
will proceed TO Madrid without DELAY, and
make another and a final attempt to obtain
justice from that government.
Spanish officials und,r the direct control
Of the Captain General OF Cuba, having in
suited our national flag, and repeated in
stances have from time TO time affected in
juries on the persons and property of our
citizens. These have given birth to numer.
Gus claims against the Spanish government,
the merits OF which have been ably discuss-
ed for series Of years by our successive
representatives. Notwithstand-
ing this, we have net arrived at practical
result in any single instance, unless We
may except the case Of the Black Warrior
under the late administration; and that pre-
sented an outrage of such q character as
would have justified an immediate resort to
war. All our attempts to obtain redress
have been batllad and defeated The fire.
gnent and oft recurring changes in the
Spanish ministry, have been employed as
reasons for delay. We have been compel.
Cd ts wait, again and again, until the new
minister shall have had time to investigate
TIT justice Of our demands.
Even what have been denominated "the
Cuban claims" in which m ore than hun.
dred Of our citizens are directly interested,
bare furnished no exception. These claims
were for tha refunding of duties unjGs,ly
exacted from american vessels at different
custom houses in Cuba. so long ago as the
year 1874. The principles upon which
they rest are SO manifestly equitable and
just that after period Of nearly ten years,
in 1851, they were recognized bv the Span.
ish government. Proceedings were after.
wards instituted to ascertain their amount,
and this was hRally fixed, according to their
own statement, with which we are salts.
fed, in the sum Of one hundred and twenty
eight thousand six hundred and thirty-fve
dollars and fl ity-fonr cents. just At the
moment, after delay of fourteen years,
y hen we had reason to expect that this
SUN would be repaid with interest, we have
received a proposal Offering to refund one
third Of that amount (forty-two thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight dollars
and forty-one cents,) but without interest,
if We would except this in fnll satisfaction,
The offer is, also, accompanied by declar-
alton that this Naturalization is not foun-
ded on any reason of strict justice, but il
made as a special favor.
One alleged cause for procrastinatien in
the examination and a3justment Of our claims
arises from an obstacle which it is the duty
Of the Spanish government to remove
W Whilst the Captain General Of Cuba is in
vested with general despotic authority in
the government Of that island, the power is
withheld from him 10 examine and redress
wrongs committed by officials under his
control on citizens Of the United States. In
stead Of making our complaints directly TO
him at Havana We are obliged to present
them through our Minister at Madrid
These are then referred back to the Captain
General for information; and much time is
thus consumed IN pr,.imenary invcsiiga-
lions and correspondence between Madrid
md Cuba, before the Spanish government.
will consent to proceed to negotiation. Ma
~ Of the difficulties between the two gov
wonld be obviated, and a long
rain ofnegotiation avoided, if the Captain
General were invested with authority to set
lie questions of easy solution on the spot,
where all the facts are fresh and could be
and satisfactorily ascertained.-
We have hitherto in vain Urgsa upon tho
,panleu government ~ ceEis! 'hlS po"eT up
IN the Captain General, end cur Minister to
Spain will again be instructed to urge this
his snbject on their notice. In this respect
We occupy different position from the pow.
,rs of Europe.
Cuba is almost within sight Of our shores;
qua commerce with it is far greater than
hat of any other nation, including Spain
tself, and our citizens in habits of daily and
.xtendee personal intercourse with every
part of the island 1t is, therefore, great
grievance that, when any difficulty occurs.
70 matter how unimportant, which might
be readily settled at the moment, We should
be Obliged to resort to Madrid, especially
.fr,t sfon to ha t,kac Il