The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-12-13

" the government Of the United States, in the
tote Of the Secretary OF State TO the British
Minister ct Washington. Of April 10, 1858,
which secure the vessels Of the United States
ipon the high seas from visitation or search in
line Of peace, under any circumstances what
pvsr. The CLAIM has been abandoned In man
nor rejecting honor on the British government
aud evin sing just regard for the law Of ma
lions and csnno, fail 10 strengthen the amicAble
relation between thetwo countries
The British government at the same time pro-
posed TO the United States that 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 tia nationality VI 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. Whilst declining to assume 30 grave
responsibility. the Secretary of State has in
formed the British government that We are
ready to receive any proposals which they may
feel disposed 10 offer, having this object In view
and to consider them Ia an Amicable spirit A
strong opinion Is. however, expressed that the
occasional abuse Of the flag ofany nation is an
evil far less to be deprecated than would be the
establishment Of any regulations which might
be incompatible with the freedom Of the seas.
This government has yer received no commit
nication specifying the manner in which the
British government would propose to carry out
their suggestion; and l am inclined to be-
lieve that no plan which can be devised will
be free from grave cmbarrassments. Still,
shall form no decided opinion on the subject
until shall have carefully and in the best
spirit examined any proposals which they may
think proper TO make.
Il IL suHn
that the complications between Great Britain
and The United States, arising out OF the Clay
ton and Bulver treaty Of April. 1850, have been
finally adjusted.
At the commencement OF your last session, l
had reason TO hope that, emAnoipating them
selves from further unayailing discussions, the
two governments would proceed to settle the
Central American question in n practical man
ner, alike honorable and satisfactory to both !;
and this hope have not yet abandoned In
my last annual message, / stated that oyertures
had been made by the British government for
this purpose, in \ friendly spirit, which cord-
tally reciprocated. Their proposal Was TO with
draw those questions from direct negotiation be-
tween the governments; but TO accomplish the
same object by negotiation between tho Brit.
ish government and each Of the Central Amer
lean republics, whose territorial intsres,s ere
Immediately involved. The settlement was q
be made in accordance with the general tenor
Of the interpretation placed upon the Clay tor
aud Bulwer treaty by the United States, with
certain notifications Az negotiations are still
/ vending upon this basis, II would nSl be prop
or for rue now to communicate their presen
condition. final settlement OF these Ques
tons il greatly to be desired. as this would wip,
out tho last remrining subject Of dispute be
tween the two countries.
Our relations with the great empire Of France
and Russia, rs well - with al other govern
ments on the continent Of Europe, except tha
Of Spain, continue TO be Of the most friendl,
character,
With Spain, our relations remain in An un
satisfactory condition. In my message of De
oember last informed you that our Envoy Tx
trAordiuAry aud Minister Plenirotentiary Z
Madrid had asked for his recall; and il Vas N
purpose 10 send out new minister 10 that ,our
1ith special instructions on al questions pend
ing between the two governments, and with
determination TO have them speedily and smie
ably adjusted, ifthst were possible This pur
pose has been hithefeo defeated by cause
which need not cnumerAts.
The mission TO Spain has been entrusted to
: distinguished citizen Of Kentucky, who wi
proceed 10 Madrid without delay, and make an
other and . 6nAl attempt to obtain justice froi
, that government
Spanish ocsls, under the direct control Of
General Of cubA, have tnsutrd national aAg, and
rspeA. Instances have rom time 70 time inntsd inJ'
es on the persons aud property Of citisena The
have given birth claims against thu spants
government the merits Of which have ably dscusss
for series of years. by sneceasivc diplomatic
sentatyes Notwithstanding this. have not arrived
practical result 10 any Single Instance, sness ms
except tie Of the Black Msrrg under the late adm
sraton; aud that presented outrage Of such chars
ter would have Justified immediate rssorf VA
All our attempts obtain redress have been bained An
he oft ehny~a I'm
Spanish ministry. have been employsd for
lay We have bcen compsied to wait. again and agai,
until the minister shall have had time
the Justice OF our demands.
Even what have been athc Cuban oaims
To which than huadred OF citizens dirsct
interested have fnrnishs exception. These claim
for the refunng " duties unlastly exacsd fro
n r. sss rs =, ouos
they equitable and just that after period
nearly ten years. In 1854, they recognized by Il
nsd 10 ascertain their amount ssd this W. ssiy az
according 70 their statement {uit which
sfrd In the Of hundted end twenty SIGHT tho
sand hundred and thirty Ave dollars aud hny
cents just at the moment after delay osourtssn year
when had reason to expect that this sum would be
paid with nerest. We have received proposal oerir
10 refund oncthird u that amount trtytwo thoussr
eight hundred aud seventy eight dllsrs and scrty-o,
csnts but without interest," would this In n
satisfAct.ou The offer s also accompanied By dsciar
ton that this not Soandsd aay rsHsc
Ut strict Justice, but II made special favor.
o One alleged cause Tor REORGANIZATION In tho 81
animation and adjustment oi Our claims arises ffo
an obstacle which il is the duty Of the Spanish go
: eminent TO remove Whilst the Captain Gene Il
y of Cuba 10 invested with general despoc nuthori,
iu the government OF that island the power 10 viii
J. held from him xamInS and redress wrongs con
i mite by officials under his cont oil on citizens
r the United States. Instead OF making our con
!. plants directly to him At Havana we are obiigs
: to present them through our Minister IL Madrid.
d These then referred back U the Captain Gel
= eral Tor information and much time II thus Co
d summed In preliminary Investigations and corrcspo
!. dencs hstWeon Madrid and Cuba, before the Spa
= ish government will consent TO proceed 70 usgoti
y. ton Many Ut the difiicult,s between tbs two TO
ernments would DO obvia,ed and 4 long train
r negotiation avoided, Ii the Captain General we
ID solution on the spot, where a the facts arc fra
10 and could be PROMPTLY and satisfactorily ascertain
i. We have hitherto in vain urged upon the Epani
government to confer this power upon the CAptai
Z. General, and our Minister 10 spain will again
b. instructed urge ths subject upon their notice.
this respect re occupy different pceition from I
4. powers OF Europe.
ID Cuba IL almost within eight Of our shores; o.
m commerce with it 10 far greater than that Of u
2 other nation, including Spain itself, and o.
y citizens are in habits VI daily and extend
/. personal interco ursc with every part Of Il
Of island II 10. therefore, great grievance III,
V WHOM any difficulty occurs, no matter how ii
u important, which might be readily settled at Il
& NON mt, We should be obliged to resort
p Madrid, especially when the very FIRST step
:. be taken there to refer it back Cuba.