Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-29

claims OF our citizens, aud the cihcf TO tx the
tariff ON imports and exports, and TO regulate
the trensit duties and trade Of our merchants
with China This duty was satisfactorily per-
formed by our late minister. These conyen-
tions bear date at Shanghai on the sth of No
vember, 1858 Having been considered ia tho
light Of binding agreements subsidiary 10 the
principal treaty ,and to be carried into execution
without delay, ihoy do not provide for any for.
NAL ratification or exchange of ratifcations by
the contracting parties. This was NOT deemed
necessary by the Chinese, who are already pro-
ceeding in coed faith TO satieiy the claims Of
cur citizens, and il is hoped, to carry out the
other provisions Of the conventions. Still l
thought il was proper TO submit them 10 the
Senate, by which thy were ratified on the Sd
Of March, 1873. The ratified copies. however,
did not reach Shanghai until after the departure
Of our minister TO Pekiu, and these conven-
| tions could not, therefore, be exchanged at the
same time with the principal treaty. No doubt
is entertained that they will be ratified and ex-
changed by the Chinese government, should
this be thought advisable; but, under the cir
cum stances presented shall consider them
binding engagements from their date on both
parties, and cause them to be published as such
fer the information and guidance Of our mer-
chants trading with the Chinese empire
Il affords me much satisfaction TO inform you
that all our difficulties with the republic OF Para
quay have been satisfactorily adjusted IL hap
PLY did not become necessary to employ the
force for this purpose which Congress had plae-
eJ at my command, under their joint resolution
OF 2d June, 1883 On the contrary, the Pres
ident of that republic, in friendly spirit, aos
ceded promptly to the just and reasonable de-
mands Of the government Of the United States
Our commissioner arrived at Assumption, the
capital of the republic, ON the 25,D OF January
1882 and left IL on the 18th Of February, hav-
ing, in three weeks ably and successfully ac-
complshcd all the objects Of his mission The
treaties which he has concluded will be imme.
distely submitted 10 the Senate.
! In the view that the employment of other
than peaceful means might become necessary
to obtain "just satisfaction" from Paraguay, q
strong naval force was concentrated in the wa
ters of the La Plata to await contingencies,
whilst our commissioner ascended the rivers to
Assumption. The Navy Department is entitled
to grost credit for the Prcmptness, efficiency
and economy with which this expedition was
fitted out and conducted It consisted of nine
teen armed vessels, great and small carrying
200 guns and 500 men, all under the command
of the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The en-
tire expenses of the expedition have been de-
frayed out of the ordinary appropriations for
the naval service, except the eum of S2S9 ,00U,
applied to the purchase of seven of the steamers,
constituting part of it, under the authority of
tine naval appropriation act of the 81 of March
last 1t is believed that these steamers were
worth more than their cost, and they are all
now uselully and actively employed in the ma.
val service.
The appearance of so large a force, fitted out
in such prompt manner, in the far distant
waters of the La Plata, and the admirable con-
duet of the officers and men employed in it, have
had happy effect in favor of our country
throughout all tnat remote portion of the world.
Our relations with the great empires OF
France and Russia as well as with all other gov.
ernments 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 a
statement of the unsatisfactory condition of
our relations with Spain and regret to say
that this has not materially improved With
out special reference IN other claims, even the
"Cuban claim g." the payment of which has
been ably urged by our ministers, and in which
more than a hundred Of our citizens IRE direct
r ly interested, remain unsatsfied, uotwithstand-
ing both their justice and their amount (Sl25, =
: 935 54) had been recognized and ascertained
by the Spanish government itself
again recommend that an Appropriation be
made "to be plid TO the Spanish Government
, for the purpose Of distribution among the
claimants in the Amistad case" In common
with two of my predecessors, 1 entertain no
doubt that this is required by our treaty with
Spain of The 27,h October, 1895 The failure
, to discharge this obligation has been employed
: by the Cabinet Of Madrid as a reason against
the settlement of our claims
! need not repeat the arguments which
urged in my last annual message in favor Of
! the acquisition Of Cuba by fair purchase My
opinions on that measure remain unchanged. l.
therefore, again invite the serious attention oi
} Congress TO this important subject. Without a
recognition of this policy on their part, it vii
: ne almost impossible to institute negotiations
with any reasonable prospect of success.
Until Il mt period there was good rea
son to believe that should be able TO announce to
you on the present occasion that our difficulties
with great Britain, arising out of the Clayton anC
Buwer treaty, mad been finally adjusted in a man
ner alike honorable and satisfactory TO both par
ties From causes, however, which the British
government had not anticipated, they have rot con
: plsted treaty arrangements with the Republics o
/ Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursuance Of the un
= derstandng between the two governments. IL is,
. nev rtheless confidently expected that this good
. work will ere long be accomplished
Whilst ndulging the hope that no other subjee
remained which could disturb the good understand
ing between the two countries, the question ari
sing out Of the adverse claims Of the parties TO tn
= Island oi San Juan. under the Oregon treaty o
f the al 5th june 1876, suddenly assumed
5 threatening prominence ln order to prevent uu-
f fortunate collisions that remote frontier the late
Secretary Of State on the l7th July 1855 address
. ed note to Mr.. CramptOn the British Minister a.
Q Washington communicating to him q copy OF thu
instructions which he (Mr. Marcy had given, OF
, | the l4ih July, t. Governor Stevens, OF Washing
ton Territory, having special reference TO an zap
pretended conflict between our citizens and tn
d British subjects on the Island Of San juan" TX
prevent this the Governor was instructed, "tha
Q the officers of the Territory should abstain from
: ali acts on the disputed grounds which are cacula
ted to provoke any conics,so far as it can be done
without implying the concession TO the authorities
Great Britain OF al exclusive right over the prem
: ises The title ought to be settled before eithe
party should attempt to exclude the other b.
II orce or exercise complete and exclusive sovereign
rights within the fairly disputed limits.
ie In acknowledging the receipt on the mex. day
! Mr.. Marcy 8 note the British Minister expresse
At his entire concurrence "in the pTopriety of tn
n course recommended TO the Governor of Wash
ingtOn Territory by your (Mr. Marcy's) instruction
- to that officer" aud stating that he had "lost n
time in transmitting copy of that document
the GOvernal General OF British North America
j, aud had earnestly recommended to his EXcellen
y cy 10 take such measures as to him may appear be
ID calculated to secure the part of the British (
,e cal authorities and the inhabitants OF the neigl
~ borhOod Of the line In question: the exercise of IL
~ same spirit OF forbearauce which Is inculcated /
vi you (Mr. Marcy on the authorities and citizens
the pnt,d States"
oe Thus matters remained upon the fat
W Of this arrangement until the 9th Of July las
of when Gen Haney paid visit to the Island il
ty found upon 1t twenty-five American residents wit
OF their families, aud also an establishment Of th
II Hudson's Bay Company ior the purpose OF raisin
10 sheep, short time before his arrival one Of the
=; residents had shot an animal belonging to Il
~ Company, whilst trespassing upon bis premise
10 for which, however, be offered TO pay twice
n value; but that was refused Soon after "tbe Chi
lis factor Of the company at Victoria Mr. Dallesso
in.law Of Governor Douglas, came to the island
re- the British soop-ofwar Satellite and threatens
| 60 talyo tabIa Ar,arfcan fkfr CutfarN hy f,rca /