Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-12-16

ces, did not belive they were of sucl
a pressing and aggravated character as
would have justified Cougress in decla-
ring war against the Chimes Empire
without first making another honest at.
tempt to adjust them by peaceful nego
tiation. was the more inclined to this
opinion, because of II e severe chastise-
ment which had then but recently been
inflicted upon the Chinese by our sqad
ron, in the capture and destruction. OF
the Barrier Forts, to avenge an alleged
insult to our flag. -. ).
H.. event. ksssE Eroged sfha a7ale.a1
our neutrality. Our minister has exc
cuted his Instructions with eminent skill
and ability. In injunction with the
Russian Plenipotentiary, he has peace
fully, but effectually, co-operated with
the English and French plenipotentia-
ries; and each of tho four powers has
concluded separate treaty with China
of highly satisfactory characterf. The
treaty concluded by our own plenipo-
Tertiary will Immediately be submitted
to the Senate.
am happy to announce that through
the enegretic yet concilliatory effol is of
our Cousul General in Japan, new
treaty has been concluded with that en-
pire, which may be expected material
ly tn augment our trade and intercourse
in that quarter, and remove from our
icounsryman the disabilities which have
heretofore been imposed upon the ex-
ercise of their religion. The treaty shall
Ho e,,I,,,.t+nl 20 ho 40
lay.
1t is earnest desire that every misun-
derstanding with the government of
Great Britain should be amicably and
speedily adjusted. It has been the mis-
fortune Of both countries. almost ever
since the period of the Revolution, to
have been annoyed by a succession of
irritating and dangerous C cuestions, thret
ening their friendly relations. This has
partially prevented the full development
of those feelings of mutual friendship
between the people of the two countries
so natural in themselves and so conduc-
! i've to their common interests. Any Sc
rious interruption of the commerce be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain would be equally injurious to both,
In fact, no two nations have ever exis-
ted on the face of the earth which could
do each other SO much good or so much
harm.
Entertaining these sentiments, I am
gratifed to inform you that, the long
pending controversy between the two
governments, in relation to the question
of visitation and search, has been ami
cably adjusted. The claim on the part
of Great Britain, forcibly to visitAmer-
lean vessels on the high seas in time of
peace, could not be sustained under the
law of nations, and it had been over
ruled by her own most eminent jurists.
This question was recently brought to
an issue by the repeated acts of British
cruisers, in boarding and searching our
merchant vessles in the Gulf Of Mexico
and the adjacent seas. These acts were
the more injurious and annoying, as
these waters are traversed by a large
portion of the commerce and navigation
of the United States, and their free and
unrestricted use is essential to the secu-
rity of the coast-wise trade between diff
ferent States of the Union.
Such vexations Interruptions could
not fail to excite the feelings of the
country, and to require the interposi-
ton of the government. Remonstran-
ces were addressed to the British gov
ernment against these violations of our
rights of sovereignty, and a naval force
was at the same time ordered to the Gu
ban waters, with directions "to protect
all vessels of the United States on the
high seas from search or detentions by
the vessels of war of any other nation. "
| These measures received the unquallih-
ed and even enthusiastic appreciation Of
the American people.
Most fortunately, however, no COLI
sion took place, and the British govern
nent promptly avowed its recognition
of the principles of international law
upon this subject, as laid down by the
government of the United States, in the
note of the Secretary of State to the
British minister at Washington, of Apri
10, 1858, which secure the vessels of tn,
United States upon the high seas from
visitation or search in time of peace, ,un
der any circumstances whatever. The
claim has been abandoned in a manne
rejecting honor on the British govern,
luen., and evincing just re~~:...aa Tor 70 tht
. law of nations, and can not fail to strength
. IN the amicable relations between tn
two countries.
The British Government at the sam,
. time proposes to the United States tina
, some mode should be adopted by mu
tual arrangement between the cffectiv'
without being offensive, for verifying
, the nationality of vessels suspected OF
3 good grounds of carrying false collors
They have also invited the United State
to take the initiative, and propose meas
ures for this purpose. Whilst declining
to assume so grave responsibility, tn
t Secretary of State has informed tn
e British Government that we are read
/ to receive any proposal switch they ma
4 feel disposed to offer, having this obiec
| in view, and to consider them an amica
t BILE spirit.
n A strong opinion is however, express
t ed, that the occasional abuse of the fla
: of any nation is an evil far less to t
:, deprecated than would be the establish
: ment of any regulations which might
incompatible with the freedom of IL
seas. This government has yet recei
n ed no communication specifying the ma
. nor i'm which the British Eovrrump,