True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-15

Lake City, through the Indian Territory,
has had powerful effect 10 restraining the
hostile feelings against the United States,
which existed among the Indians in that
region. and securing emigrantS Of the Far
West against their depredations. This
will also be the means Of establishing mil.
Itarv posts and promoting settlements along
The route.
recommend that The benefits Of our
land laws and pre.emption system be ex.
tended 10 the people of Utah, by the esta.
blishmenl of land Office in that Territory.
havc occasion also to congratulate you
on the result Of our negotiations with
China.
You were informed by the last annual
message that our minister had been in.
structed to occupy a neutral position in
the hostilites conducted by Great Britain
and France against Canton. He was,
however, at the same time, directed to CO.
operate cordially with the British and
French ministers in all peaceful measures
to secure by treaty those jus. concess sions
to foreign commerce which the nations of
the world demand. It was impossible for
me to proceed further than this, on my
own authority, without usurping the war
making power, which under the constitu
lion, belongs exclusively to Congress.
Besides, after a careful examination of
the nature and extent Of our grievances. l
did not believe they we're Of such pres
sing and aggravated charactes as would
have justified Congress in declaring war
against The Chinese Empire, without ma
king another honest attempt to adjust them
BY peaceful negotiation. was more in
clined to this opinion, because Of The severe
chasisement which had then but recently
been inflicted upon the Chinese by our
Squadron, in the capture and destruction
Of the Barrier forts. to revenge an alleged
insult to our flag.
The event has proven the wisdom of our
neutrality. Our minister has executed bis
instructions with eminent skill and ability.
In conjunction with the Russian plenipo.
tentiary, he has peacefully, but effectually
c6operated with the English and French
plenipotentiaries; and each Of the four
powers has concluded separate treaty
with China, Of highly satisfactory char.
scter. The treaty concluded by our own
plenipotenliary will be presented to the
Senate.
lam happy to announce that through
the energetic, yet conclia.ory efforts Of oul
consul general in Japan, new treaty ha'
been concluded with that empire, which
may be expected to materially auemen
our trade and intercourse in that quarter
and 10 remove from our coun,rymen th'
disabilities which have heretofore beer
imposed upon the exercise Of their religion
This treaty will be submitted to tho Sen.
ate without delay.
i /: is my earnest desire that every mis-
understanding with the government. o
Great Britain should be amicably AM
speedily adjusted. 1t has been the mis-
fortune of both countries, almost eye
; since the period Of the revolution, to hav
been annoyed by succession Of irritating
and dangerous questions. threatening thei
friendly relations. This has partially pre-
vented the full development Of those feel
ings of mutual friendship between tn
people Of the two countries, so natural i,
y themselves and so conducive TO their CON
: mon interests. Any serious interruptio
Of the commerce between The United State
t and Great Britain, would be equally inju
rious to both. In fact, no two nation
e ever existed on the face Of the earth whic
i could do to each other SO much good or Z
s much harm.
Entertaining these sentiments, | am gra
Q i6ed 10 inform you, that the long pending
9 controversy between the two government
:, in relation to The question of visitation an
d search, has been amicably adjusted. I'll
j. claim on the part of Great Britain, fore
s. bly, to visit American vessels on the big
seas in time Of peace, could not be gu
l. tanned under the law OF nations, and
had been overruled by her own most em
s nent jurists. This question was recent
ID brought 10 an issue by the repeated acts
le British cruisers, in boarding and searchiI
out merchant vessels in the Gulf of Me
10 leo and the adjacent seas. These &C
r were the more injurious and annoying,
y these waters are Taversed by large pc
l tor Of the commerce and navigation
m the United States, and their free and u
i. restricted use is essential to the secuIi
of of the coastwise trade between diffsre
al States Of the Union.
IL Such vexatious interruptions could I
r, fail to excite the feelings Of the countl
a. aud to require the interposition Of t
government. Remonslrances were q
v. dressed to the British government agair
h, these violations Of our rights Of sovreign
10. and a naval force was at the same III
ly ordered TO the Cuban waters, with ord,
en- ito protect all vessels Of the United Sta
h. on the high seas from search or detenti
by the vessels Of war Of any other nation
ire These measures received the unqulaif
-,y and even enthusiastic appreciation Of
v; American people.
10 Most fortunately. however, no coils
took place, and the British governm
alt promptly avowed i,S recognition Of