Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-06

constitution itself would be received with
favor by all the States Of the lconfederacy.- -
In any event it ought to be tried in a spirit
OF Cancellation before any Of these States
shall separate themselves from the Union.
When 1 entered upon the duties Of the
Presidential Office, the aspect Of neither our
foreign nor our domestic affairs was at all
satisiactory. We were involved in danger
Gus complications with several nations, and
two Of our Territories were in a state ofreVo-
luton against the government restora
ton Of the African slave trade had numerous
and powerful advocates. Unlawful military
expeditions were countenanced by many oi
our citizens, and. were suffered, in defiance
of the efforts Of the government, to escape
from our shores, for the purpose Of making
war upon the unofending people of neigh
boring republics, with whom we were at
peace. In addition 10 these difficulties, we
experienced e revulsiol in monetary affairs,
soon after my advent 10 power, Of unex-
ampled severity and Of ruinious consequen-
ees 10 all the great interests of the country.
When we take retrospect Of what was then
our condition, and contrast this with its ma
terial prosperity at the time Of the Presiden-
tIal election, We have abundant reason to
return our grateful thanks TO that nercifui
a nation in all our past trials.
OUR FoREIoE RELATIoSs-aREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the
most friendly character. Since the com
mencement Of my administration, the two
dangerous questions arising from the CLAYTON
and Bulwer treaty and from the right Of
search claimed Sy the British government.
have been amicably snd honoFably adjust
ed.
The discordant constructions Of the CLAYTON
and Bulwer treaty between the two govern
ments, which, at different periods of the dis
cGssiOn, bore a threatening aspect have re-
suited in a final settlement entirely sstisfac-
tory to this government In my last message
/ informed Congress that the British govern
ment had not then completed treaty arrange
ments with the republics of Honduras and
Nicaragua, in pursuance Of the understanding
between the two governments. 1t is never
theless confidently expected that this good
work will ere long be accomplished This
confident expectation has since been fulfilled.
Her Britanic Majesty concluded a treaty with
Honduras on the 28th of November, 1859
and with Nicaragua on the 29th of August,
1860, relinquishing the Mosquito proteetorate
Besides, by the former, the Bay Islands are
recognized as a part of the republic of Hon
duras. It may be observed that the stipuln-
tions of these treaties conform in every i'm
portant particular to the amendments adopted
By the Senate of the United States to the
treaty concluded at London, on the 18th Of
October, 1856, between the two governments.
1t will be recollected that this treaty was re-
iected by the British government because of
its objection to the just and important amend
ment Of the Senate to the article relating to
Ruatan and the other islands in the Bay of
Honduras.
1t must be a source of sincere satisfaction
to all classes of oar fellow citizens, and es-
pecially those engaged in foreign commerce,
that the claim, on the part o. Great Britain,
fOrcibly to visit and search American mer-
chant vessels on the high seas in time Of
peace, has been abandoned. This was By
tar the most dangerous question to the peace
Of the two countries which has existed.
since the War 1872. Whilst it re-
mained open, they might at any moment
have been precipitated into a war. This
was rendered manifest by the exasperated
state of public feeling throughout our entire
produced BY the f5rcibie search of
-
American merchant vessels by British cruisers on
ne coast Of Cuba, in the spring Of 1855. 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 an yes
sells Of the United States on the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels Of war of any
other nation" These orders might have pro
1ueed an immediate collision between the naval
forces Of the two countries This was most for
-unately prevented by an appeal to the justice of
1reat Britain and to the law of nations as eX-
pounded by her own eminent jurists.
The only question of any importance which
,tlll remains open is the disputed title between
The two governments to the island of San Juan,
IN the vicinity of Washington Territory As
ms question is still under negotiation, il Is not
1eemed advisable at the present moment 70 make
any other allusion to the subject
The recent visit Of the Prince of Wales, in q
private character, 70 the people Of this country,
has proved to be GmOst auspicious event In It's
consequences It cannot fail to increase the kin
ired and friendly feelings which trust may ever
letuate the government and people Of both coun-
ries in their political and social intercourse with
zach other, VIZ --I
FRANCE.
With France, our ancient and powerful ally,
our relations continue to be Of the most friendly
character. A decision has recently been made by
l French tuiitcial tribunal, with the appreciation
lf the imperial government, which cannot fail to
oster the sentiments Of mutual regard that have
2 long existed between the two Countries I'm
j
!rmies Of France unless he be & French citizen
The law OF France recognizing the natural right
II eXpatriatiOn, il follows as necessary cOnse-
luence that Frenchman, by the fact Of having
become citizen Of the United States, has chang
d his allegiance and has lost his native character
9e cannot, therefore be compelled to serve in the
trench armies in case he should return TO his
latiye country. These principles were ahnounc
ID in 1852 by the French Ministers of War,
md in two late cases have been confirmed
" the French Judiciary. In these, two na-
ives Of France hive been discharged from
he French army because they had become American
ltlzens. 10 emplCy the Language OF our present
1inister to France, who has rendered good service
n this occasion Il do not think our French natu-
1uch annoyance on this subject venture to pre-
ot that the time is not far distant when the other
lst policy which has done so much honor to the en-
ightened government Of the Emperor. In any event
ur government bound to protect the rights OfOur
8 though they had drawn thail first breath in this
ountry, We can recognize no distinction between
ur native and naturalized citizens.
x RUSSIA. b.
Between the great empire Of Russia and the Q. s.
ne mutual friendship and regard which has 80 long
xisted still continues to prevail and If possible, to
Increase. Indeed, our relations with that empire
re all that we could desire.
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now Of more CON-
Heated though less dangerous character than they
ave been for many years. Our citizens have long
eld, and continue 10 hold, numerous claims
gainst the Spanish Government. These had been
bly, urged for series Of years by our sue
essive diplomatic representatives at Madrid,
ut without obtaining redress. The Spanish
Oyernment finally agreed 70 institute joint
commission for the adjustment of these
laims, and on the fifth day Of March, 1850,
oneluded convention for the purpose with
ur present minister at Madrid. Under this
what have been denominated
the Cuban claims" amounting to $l2S,635
nd 54 cents, in which more than one hun
red of our fellow citizens are interested
7ere recognized, and the Spanish govern
lent agreed to pay $l00, 900 of this amount
within three months of the exchange ofrati-
cations" The payment Of the remaining
%, 635 81 was to await the decision Of the
for, or against, "the Amistad
laim," but in any event the balance was to
e paid to the claimants, either by Spain or
be United States. These terms have every
sason to know are highly satisfactory 70
ave made a formal offer authorising
be holders Of the Cuban claims. Indeed they |
be State Department to settle these !
laims, and to deduct the amount of the
.mistad claim from the sums which they /
re entitled to receive from Spain. This /
fer, Of course, cannot be accepted
All other claims of the citizens Of the |