New-York daily tribune., 1859-12-28

OnvFi Teghrd /
Of an empire dating back for thousands Of years -
Tar az ihir may be consistent with our own national
bsnor The conduct Of our minitter on the occasion
hss received my entire appreciation.
In order carry out the spirit Of this treaty, and 70
give i full effect il became necessary 70 conclude two
supplsuental conventious-the Tor the adjustment
and satisfaction Of the tlams Of citizens, and The
other ts OK the tariff imports and exports, and 70
regulate the tranrt duties and trade Of our merchants
with China This duty satisfactorily performed
by our late min ster. These conventions bear date at
Shsnghae on the Ssh November, 1853. Having been
considered in the light Of binding agreements Subsidiary
10 the urncipal treaty and 10 be carried Dto executor
without delay, they do not provide for any formal at
ifcaton or exchange Of rltifcations By the
contracting parties. This was not ceemed
necessary by the Chinese, who are already
proeeedpg In good faith 70 satisfy the cis ms Of our
ctzeDs and il hOyed 70 carry ont the other proyi
tions Of the conventions. Still / tb ought it was
proper 10 submit them TO the Senfte, by which
they were ratified on the Sd Mach, 1852 TIE
ratified copies however, did not reach Shsnghae until
after the departure Of mir,ister 70 Pekin, and
tbete conventions could not therefore, be exchanged
at the time with she principal treaty No doubt IL
entertained that they will be ratified and exchanged by
the Chinese Government should this be thought advlsa
BILE; but under the circumstances presuted, | shall
consider them binding engagements from their date on
both parties, and cause them 70 be published ~ sucn
for the information and guidance OF our merchants
trading with the Chinese Empire.
II affords much satisfaction 20 inform you that all
our difficulties with the Republic Of Paraguay have
been satisfactorily adjusted. IL happily did not De-
come necessary to employ the force for this purpose
which Congress had placed at my command, under
their Joint resolution Of I'd Of June 1855 On the con-
tray the President of that Republic, in friendly
spirit aoce6ed promptly 10 the just and reasonable de-
mauds Of the Government of the United States. Our
Con missioner arrived at Assumption, the capital OF the
Republic on the 25th of January 1859, and left it on
the l7tb Of February bayng IN three weeks aoy ana
The treaties which be has concluded will be immedi
ately submitted TO the Senate.
In the view that the employment OF other than peace
ful might become necessary 10 obtain just sat
isfaetlon" from Paraguay, a strong naval force was
concentrated in the waters of the La Plata TO await
contingencies while our Commissioner ascended the
rivers TO Assumption. The Navy Department ls en-.
titled 10 great credit for the prompness efficiency, and
economy with which this expedition was fitted out and
conducted II consisted Of l9 armed vessels great and
small carrying 200 guns and 500 men, all under the
command Of the veteran and gallant Shubrck. The
entire expentes Of the expedition have been betrayed
out Of the ordinary appropriations for the naval ser
vice. except the of S2S9 OOO applied TO the pur-
chase Of Of the steamers constituting part OF
IT, under the authority of the Naval Appropriation act
of the Sd Of March last, Ii ia believed that these
steamers are worth than their cost and they are
all now usefully and actively employed in the naval
tervice.
The appearance of so large force fitted ont in such
a prompt msnner, in the far-disant waters Of the La
Plata and the admirable conduct Of the officers 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 ar well 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 statement
Of the unsatisfactory condition OF our relations win
SPAIN and regret TO cay that this has not materially
improved. Without special reference TO other claims,
even the Cuban claims, the payment OF which has |
been ably mged by Minister, and in which more |
than hundred of our cizens directly interested,
remain unsatiffed notwithstanding both their justice
and their amount s 2S 635 54) had been recognized
and al afcertained by the Spanish Government itself.
sgain recommend that appropriation be made
"tc be paid to the Spanish Government for the pur-
" nose Of distribution among the claimants in the
" Anittad case" In common with two OF my prede-
cessors entertain no doubt that this is required by
our treaty with Sran of the 9th October, 1S5 The
failure to discharge this obligation has been employed
by the Cabinet of Madrid as a reason against the set
tement OF our claims. |
l need not repeat the arguments which urged in
my last annual message IN favor OF the OF
remain unchanged. i therefore agaln invite the
serious attention of Congress To this important subject
Without a recognition of this policy on their part, 1t
will be almost impossible to institute negotiations with
ally reasonable prospect of success.
Until recent period there good reason 10 be-
eve that should be able TO announce TO you on the
present occasion that our difficulties with Great Brit
ain, arpng out OF the Clayton aud Bulwer treaty had
been finally adjusted in alike honorable and
satisfactory 10 both parties. From causes however, |
which the British Government had MT anticipated
hey have not yet completed treaty arrangements with
he Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua, in pureu-
ance Of the understanding between the two Govern
meuts. 1t lie, nevertheless confidently expected that
Ibs good work will ere long be accomplished.
While indulging the hope that no other subleet re-
manned which could disturb the good understanding
between the two countries the question arising out o
the adverse clams of the parties to the Island OF San
Juan under the Oregon treaty Of the 18th OF June,
1876, suddenly assumed threatening prominence. In
order prevent unfortunate collisions on that remote
frontier the late Secretary of State, on the 18th July,
1855 addressed note to Mr.. CHAMPION then British
Minister ut WashiI gtOn, communicating TO hlm copy
of the instructions which he Mr.. Marcy had given,
on the 18th July, TO Gov Stevens of Washington Ter
riiofy having special reference to an "apprehended
conflict between citizens and the British subjects
" on the Island Of San Juan" To prevent tht, the
Governor was instructed that the officers Of the Ter
ritory sbsuld abstain from all the disputed
" grounds which are calculated to provoke any con-
=" hicts SO far rs it be done without implying the
" concession to the authorities Of Great Britain OF an
exclusive right the premises. 1be title ought
TO be settled before either party should attempt 70
exclude the other by force, ss complete aud
exclusive sovereign rights within the fairy-dPuted
" limits"
In acknowledging the receipt the next day Of Mr..
Marcy note the British Minister expr ,ssed his entire
concurrence I" in the propriey OF the course recon-
mended 70 the Governor of Washington Tern ory by
your DIR. Marcy instructions to that OIL er, and
stating tha, he had "lost no time in transmitting copy
Of that document 10 the GovenorGeneral OF British
North America" and had earnestly recommended |
"to his Excellency 10 take such measures as to him
appear bert calculated 10 secure on the part OF
the British local authorities and the inhabitants of
the neghborhood Of the line in question: the exercse
OF the spirit of foroearance which inculeated
by you Mr.. Marcy on the authorities and citizens
the United States"
+. xhus matters remained upon the faith OF this ar
eptu uutil he of (neD