The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-12-12

EetWeen sne Two governments. 1t will be re-
coiltcetthat tbs treaty was reje ,ted3 blythe
Hrltlsh Goyernment because of its objection to
the just and Important amendment of senate to
offhe article relating to Ruatan and the other
Islands In the bay of Honduras.
EttzmHstdbe a source of sincere satisfaction
to all classes of our follow citizens, and espe-
ciaAy tothose engaged in foreign commerce, that
the claim, on the part of Great Britain, forci-
bly, to visit and search American merchant
vessels on the high seas in time of peace, has
been abandoned. This was by far the most
dangerous question to the peace of the two
countries which has existed since the War of
Z 1872 Whilst it remained open, they might
at any moment have been precipitated into a
war This was rendered manifest by the ex-
asperated state of public feeling. throughout
eur entire &C untry, produced by the forcible
search OF American merchant vessels by Bri-
fish cruisers on the coast of Cuba, in the spring
of 1858. The American people hailed with
general acclaim the orders of the Secretary of
the Navy to our naval force in the Gulf of
Mexico, "to protect all vessels of the United
sStareS on trc-hiEtr
tcntion by the vessels of war of any other ma
ztion." These olders might have produced an
immediate collision between the naval ferees
of the two countries This was most fortunate
IL prevented by an appeal to the justice of
Great Britain and to the law of nations as
expended by her own eminent %jurists.
Ell, The only question of any Importance which
SILL remains open is the disputed title between
ethetRo governments to the island of San Juan,
in the vicinity of Washington. Territory As
this question is still under negotatian, it is not
deemed, advisable at the present moment to
make any other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit of the Prince of Wales, in
"a private character, to the people of this coun-
try, has proved to be a most suspicious event.
In its consequences it cannot fail to increase
the kindred and friendly feelings which I trust
smay4eyer actuate the government and the peo-
:. pie of both countries in their political and So
.cial intercourse with each other. .
With France, our ancient and powerful ally,
our relations continue to be of the most friend
..sgly character. A decision has recently been
r. made by o French judicial tribunal, with the
> .tapprobation of the imperial government, which
sgcanDot fail to foster the sentiments of mutual
regard that have so long existed between the
1.-TWO countries. Under the French law no per-
: son can serve in the armies of France unless
he be a French citizen, The law of France
- recognizing the natural right of repatriation, it
n follows as a necessary consequence that a
Ereuchman, by the fact of. having become Il
!, citizen of the United States, has changed his
r. Allegiance and has lost his native character
He cannot, therefore, be compelled to serve in
-. the French armies In case he should return to
,, his native country. These principles were
announced in, 1852 by the French Ministers
of War, and in two late eases have been con-
r. irmed, by the French judiciary. In these. two
4 natiyes of France have been discharged from
the French, army because they had become
I. American citizens. To employ the language
OF. our present Minister to France, who has
az rendered good rscryic on this occasion. Il do
. not think our French naturalized fellow-citi-
Gems will hereafter experience much annoy
~ Xl,1 1r11o4k - uapfnro 70 -rolIoE
that the time is not far distant when the other
s Continental powers will adopt the same wise
- and just policy which has done so much honor
to the enlightened government of the Emper-
: Sr.c In any event our government is bound to
protect the rights of our naturalized citizens
b everywhere to the same extent as though they
had drawn their. first breath in this country
=, We can recognize no distinction between our
native and aaturalized citizens. d.
15s.es .s-aa7a-- RUSSIA. -4- --r
Between the great empire of Russia and the
] u. s. the mutual friendship and regard which
: has so long, existed still continues to prevaile,
and, if possible, to increase. Indeed, our rela-'
I tions with that empire are all that we could
desire. h5f-a ..15 zsE
Our relations with Spain are now of a more
seeaplieated though less dangerous character
-tthan,athey have been for many years. Our
: citizens have long held, and continue to hold,
numerous claims against the Spanish Govern
: ment. These had been ably urged for a series
: of years by our successive diplomatic repre-
sentatives at Madrid, but without obtaining
redress. The. Spanish government finally
agreed to institute a joint commission for the
g adjustment of these claims, and on the fifth
day of March, 1850, concluded q convention
for the purpose with our present minister at
Madrid. Under this convention, what have
been denominated "the Cuban claims" amount
: ing to S12S, 685 and 81 cents, i'll which more
than one hundred eff our fellow citizens are in
rterested, were recognized, and the Spanish
: government agree to pay 100000 OF this
Z amount "within three months OF the exchange
of ratifcations." The payment of tie remain
ing 2 1855 81 was to await the decision of
the Commissioners for, or against, "the Amis-
tad elaam," y but in any event the balance was
to be paid to the claimants, either by Spain OF
the United States. These terms / have every
reason to know are highly satisfactory to have
made q formal offer authorizing the holders of
the Cuban claims. Indeed, they had made a
formal offer authorizing the State Department
to, settle these claims, and to deduct theg
amount of the Amistad claim from the sums
which they are entitled to receive from Spain.
This offer, of course, cannot be accepted.
All other claims of the citizens of the Uni
ted States against Spain, or of subjects OF the
Queen of Spain against the United States, IN
Guiding the "Amistad Claim" were by this
convention referred to a board of commission
ers in the usual form: Neither the validity of
the Amistad claim nor any other claim against
either party, with the single exception of the
Cuban claims, was recognized by the cenven,
ten. Indeed, the Spanish government did
not insist that the validity of the Amlstad
claim should be thus recognized, nOtwithstand-
ing it's payment had been to
5$eneress BY two of my predecessors as we'll as
by myself, and an appropriation for that pur,
nose had passed the Senate of the United
States Stat nle They were content that it should be
Submitted to the board for examination and
decision, like the other claims. Both : overn-
Lo.nd rasnectiYelY to ray the1