Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-12-23
In order to carry on. the spirit Of this treaty and

merchants with China. This duty was satisfactorily
performed by our late minister. These conventions
bear date at Shanghai on the sth November, 1858.
Having been considered in the light of binding
agreements subsidiary to the principal treaty, and
and to be carried into execution without delay,
they do not provide for any formal ratification or
exchange of ratification by the contracting parties.
This was not deemed necessary by the Chine Sc, who
are already proceeding in good faith to satisfy the
claims OF our citizens snd it is hoped to carry out
the other provisions of the conventions. Sill,
thought it was proper to submit them to the Senate.
by which they were ratified on the Sd March, 1859
The ratified copies, however, did not reach
Shanghai until after the departure of our Minister
to PekiR, aud these conventions could not there
fore, be exchanged at the same time with the prin-
cipa treaty No doubt s entertained that they viii
be ratified and exchanged by the Chinese govern
ments should this be thought advisable; but, under
the circumstances presented, shall consider them
binding engagements from their dste, on both
parties and cause them to be published as such for
the information and guidance of oar merchants
trading with the Chinese empire.
II affords me much satisfaction to inform you that
all our difficulties with the Republic of Paraguay
have been satisfactorily adjusted. It happily did
not become necessary to employ the force for this
purpose which Congress had placed at my COM
mand, under their joint resolution of I'd June,
1858. On the contrary, the President of that Re-
public, in friendly spirit scceded promptly to the
just and reasonable demands Of the Government of
the United States. Our commissioner arrived at
Assumption, the capital of the Republic, on the
25th of January, 1884, and left on the l7th OF Feb
ruary, having in three weeks ably and successfully
accomplished all the objects of his mission. The
treaties which he has concluded will be immediate
ly submitted to the Senate.
In the view that the employment of other than
peaceable means might become necessary to obtain
lust sati6cation" from Paraguay, strong naval
force was concentrated in the waters of the La
Plata to await contingencies, whilst our commits
sioner ascended the rivers to Assumption. The
Navy Department is entitled to great credit for the
promptness, efficiency and economy with which
this expedition was fitted out and conducted. It
consisted of nineteen armed vessels, great and
small carrying zoo guns and 800 men, all under
the command of the veteran and gallant Shubrick.
The entire expenses of the expedition have been
betrayed out of the ordinary appropriations for the
naval service, except the sum of 9,O00 applied
TO the purchase of seven of the steamers constitu
ting part of it, under the authority of the naval
appropriation act OF the Sd March last. 1t is be-
lieved that these steamers are worth more than
their cost, and they are all now usefuly and ac-
lively employed in the naval service
The appearance OF so large force, fitted out in
such prompt manner, in the far distant waters of
fcers and men employed in it, have had happy
effect in favor of our country throughout all that
remote portion of the world.
Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia, as well as with all other governments
on the continent of Europe, unless we may except
that Of Spain, happily continue to be of the most
friendly character.
In my last annual message presented state
ment OF the unsatisfactory condition of relations
with Spain; and regret TO say that this has not
materially improved. Without special reference to
other claims, even the "Cuban claims" the pay
ment of which has been ably urged by our minis
ters, and in which more than hundred of cit;-
zens directly interested, remain unsatisfed, not
withstanding both their justice and their amount
($l2S, ,635.54) had been recognized and ascertaned
by the Spanish govt rnment ITSELF
| again recommend that All appropriation be
made ito be paid to the Spanish Government for
the purpose Of distribution among the claimants in
the Amistead case" In common with two of my
predecessors entertain no doubt that this is requr
ed by treaty with Spain of the 9th of October
1875. The failure to discharge this obligation has
been employed by the cabinet of Madrid as rea-
son against the settlement of our claims.
| need not repeat the argument which urged in
my last annual message in favor of the acquisition
of Cuba by fair purchase. My opinions on that
measure remain unchanged. I, therefore, again III
vite the serious attention of Congress to this impor
tant subjc Without rect gniton of this policy
their part it will be almost impossible to institute
negotiations with any reasonable prospect of sue
cess.
Until recent period there was good reason to
believe that should be able to announce to You
on the present occasion that difficulties with
Great Britain, arising out of the Clayton and Bull
wer treaty, had been finally adjusted in manner
alike honorable and satisfactory to both parties
From causes, however, which the British Govern
meat had rot anticipated, they have not yet com.
pleted treaty arrangements with the republics OF
Honduras and Nicaragua, in pur, ,uance of the un-
drrstanding between the two gov, rnments. 1t is,
nevertheless confidently exp. cted that this good
work will ere long he accomplished.
Whilst induging the hope that no other subject
remained which could disturb the good understand
ing between the two counties, the question arising
out Of the adverse claims of the parties to the
Island of San JUAN under the Oregol treaty of the
] 5th of June, ls46, suddenly assumed a threaten
ing pr romience. In order to prevent unfortunate
collisions on that remote fronter the late Secretary
of State, on the l7th of July, 1856, addressed q
note to Mr.. CrAmpton, then British minister at
Washington, communicating to him q copy Of the
instructions which he mr.. Marcyl had given, on
the l4rh of July, to Governor Stephens, of Wash
iugton Territory, having specioi referance to an
app ehended conflict brtween our citizens and the
British subjects on the Island of San Juan" To
pre- vent this the government was instructed "that
the officers of the Territory should abstain from all
acts on the disput grounds which are calculated
to provoke any conflicts, SO far as it can be done
without implying the concession to the authorities
of Great Britain OF an exclusive right over the
premise The title ought to be settled before
,ither party should attempt to exclude the other
by force, exercise complete and exclusive sover
eign rights within the airy-disputed limi ="
In acknowledging the receipt on the next day of
Mr.. Marcy's note, the British Minister expressed
his entire concurrence "in the propriety of the
course recommended to the governor of Washing
ton Territory by your Mr.. Marcysl instructions to
that officer" and stating that he had "lost time
in transmitting copy of that document to the Gov
eruor General OF British North America, and had
earnestly recommended to his Excel ency to take
such measures as to him may appear best calculated
to secure on the part of the British local authorities
and the inhabitants of the neigh orhood of the
line in question, the exercise Of the same spirit
of forbearance which is inculcated by you Mr..
Marcy the authorities and citizens of the United
States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this ar
rangement until the 9th of July last, when Gen.
Harney paid visit to the island. He found upon
it tw wenty FIVE American residents with their fam-
lies and also an establishment of the Hudsons Bay
Company for the purpose of raising sheep. short
time before his arrival of these residents had shot
an animal belonging to the company, whilst tres
passing upon his premises, for which, however, be
offered to pay twice its value but that refused
Soon after "the chief factor of the company at
Victoria, Mr. Dalles, soE-in-law of Governor Doug
lass came to the Islqnd in the British soopofWar,
Satellite aud threatened to take this American (Mr
Cuter) by force to Victoria to answer for the tres
pass he bad committed. The American seized his
rife and told Mr.. Dales if any such attempt was
made he would kill him on the spot. The affair
then ended
Under these circumstances, the American settlers