, 1859-01-14


approval without delay.
Our Relations with Great Britain.
II is my earnest desire that every misunderstanding
with the government Of Great Britain should be am
caOly and speedily adjusted. 1t has been the miso
tame OF both countries almost ever since the period
the revelation, to have Deeu annoyed by succession
OF irritating and dangerous questions threatening
their friendly relations. This has partially prevente
tue full development OF Those feelings OF mutual friend
ship between the people Of the two countries, mai
uTa in themselves and so conducive to their common
interest. Any serious interruption OF the commerce
between tue United States and Great Britain woui
be equally Injurious to both. In Tact, two nation
have ext tsd the lace of the earth which cou
do each other so much good or so much harm.
i Entertaining these sentiments, / am gratfed to IN
form you, that the lungpeudng controversy betweel
the two governments IN relation to the question o
visitation and search has Leen amiCably adjusted -
The claim on the part Of Great Britain tOrcbly Il
visit American vessels On the high seas in time o.
peace could not lie sustained under the Law Of nations
and it had been oyerruled by her own most eminent
jursts This question was recently brought to an is
sue, by the repeated acts OF British cruisers board
ing aud searching merchant vessels in the Gulf
Mexico aud the adjacent seas. These acts were the
more injurious and annoying, as these waters are ira
versed by a large portion of the commerce and navi
terTuptOns could not fail TO excite the feelings OF the
county, and to require the interpotion OF the gov
ernmeut. Remonstrances were addressed to the Bri
tsh government against these violations Of our rights
Of sovereignty and naval force was at the time
ordered to the Cuban with directions ito pro
tect all vessels Of the United States the high
from search or detention by the vessels Of war OF any
other nation" These measures received the unqua.
fed and even enthusiastic appreciation Of the Amer
| can people. Most fortunately, however, no collision
took place, and the British government promptly
avoWed its recognition Of the principles of interna
tioual law upon this subject as laid down by the gov
eminent Of the United States in the note OF the Sec
Tetary Of State to the British minister at Washington
of April 10, 1855 which secure the vessels Of the U.
States upon the high from visitation search in
time Of peace, under any circumstances whatever
The claim has been abandoned in a manner rejecting
honor the British government, and eviuciBg just
regard for the law Of nations, and cannot fail to
strengthen the amicable relations between the two
countries.
The British government at the same time proposed
to the United States that mode should be adopt
ed, by mutual arrangement between the two coun-
tries, OF character which may be found effective
without being offensive, for verifying the nationality
Of vessels suspected good grounds Of carrying false
colors. They have also invited the United States TO
axe the initiative aud propose for this pur
pose. Whilst declining to assume grave a respOn-
siby the Secretary Of Slate has informed the Brit
sh government that are ready to receive any pro-
posals which they may feel disposed to offer, having
this object in view and to consider them in ami
cable spirit 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
establishment Of any regulations which might be in
compatible with the freedom Of the THIS gov,
ernment has yet received no communication specify
ing the manner in which the British government
would propose to carry out their suggestion, and am
inclined to believe, that plan which be devised
will be free from grave embarrassments. Still shall
form no decided opinion on the subject, until shall
have carefully, and in the best spit examined any
proposals which they may think proper to make.
am truly sorry cannot also inform you that the
complications between Great Britain and the United
States arising out Of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty
Of April, 1850, have been finally adjusted.
AT the commencement Of VOur last session. had
reason to hope that. emaneipatng themselves from
further unayailing discussions, the two governments
would proceed 10 settle Central American questions
in practical manner, 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 cordially reciprocated.
Their proposal was, TO withdraw these questions from
direct negotiation between the two governments; but
TO accomplish the same object, by negotiation be-
tween the British government and each OF the Central
American republics whose territorial interests are i'm
medately improved. The settlement was TO be made
in accordance with the general tenor Of the interpre
taton placed upon the Clayton and Buwer treaty by
the United States, with certain notifications. As ne
gotiations still pending upon this basis, il would
not be proper for me now to communicate their pres
ent condition. final settlement Of these questions
Is greatly to be desired as this would wipe out the
last remaining subject Of dispute between the two
counties.
France and Russia.
Our relations Win the great empires OF france ana
Russia, as well as with all other governments on the
continent Of Europe, except that Of Spain, continue
to be Of the most friendly character.
Our Relations with spain.
With Spain our relations remain in an unsatisfae-
tory condition. In my message OF December last,
informed you that our envoy extraordinary and min
lister penipotentiary TO Madrid bad asked for bis 10
call; aud il my purpose TO send out new minis
ter to that court, with special instructions all ques
tOns pending between tue two governments, and with
determination to have them speedily and amicably
adjusted, II that were possible. This purpose has
been hitherto defeated by causes which need not
enumeTate ~.
The mission to Spain has been intrusted to a dis
tinguished citizen Of Kentucky, who will proceed TO
Madrid without delay, and make another and final
attempt to obtain justice from that government.
Spanish officials, under the direct control Of the
captan-geneTa of Cuba, have insulted our national
flag, and in repeated instances, have from time 70
time inflicted injuries the persons and property Of
our citizens. These have given birth 10 numerous
claims against the Spanish government the merits Of
which have been ably discussed for series Of years,
by our successive diplomatic representatives. Not
withstanding this, we have not arrived at practical
result in any single instance may except the
Of the Black Warrior under the late administration;
and that presented outrage Of such o character as
would have justified an immediate resort TO war All
our attempts to obtain redress have been baied and
defeated. The frequent and oltrecurrng changes in
the Spanish ministry have been employed as reasons
for delay. We have been compelled 70 wait, again
and again. until the new minister shall have had time
to investigate the justice Of our demands.
Eyen what have been denominated the Cuban
claims" in which more than hundred Of our citizens
are directly interested, have furnished exception.
These claims for the reiundng Of duties unjust
fly 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 maniiestly
equitable and just that after period OF nearly ten
years in 1854 they were recognised by the Spanish
government. Proceedings were afterwards instituted
10 ascertain their amount, and this finally fixed
according To their own statement with which we
were satisfied at the Of one hundred and twenty
eight thousand six hundred and thiryfve dollars and
hfty.four cents Just at the moment after delay Of
fourteen years when had 10 expect that th
sum would he repaid with interest, we have received
proposal Offering to refund onethrd Of that amount
(iorytwo thousand eight hundred and seventy-eighi
dollars and forty-one ceuts) but without interest u
we would accept this in full satisfaction The offer I
also accompanied by declaration that this indemni
fcation is not founded any Of strict justice
| but Is made as a special favor,
One alleged canse for procrastination in the exami
nation and adjustment OF our claims, arises from az
obstacle which it is the duty of the Spanish govern
mcnt to remove. Whilst the CaptainGeneral Of Cubs
invested with general despotc authority in the gov
eminent Of that i-ard the power is withheld from
him TO examine aud redress wrongs committed by Of