Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-12-07

'!ie armies OF France unless he be French
c'uzen; The law of France recognizing the
natural right of expatriation it follows as a
necessary consequence that Frenchman, BIZ
T u fact OF having become citizen of the
onitcd States, has changed his allegiance
ana mas lost his native character, He can
not, therefore, be compelled to serve in the
french armies in case he should return TO
his native country,
1hese principles were announced in 1852
Dy the French Minister Of War, and in two
iate cases have been confirmed by the French
Judiciary. In these two, natives of France
have been discharged from te French army
because they had become American citizens
10 employ the language of our present Min
lister to France, who he's rendered good SER
vice on this occasion, II do not think
our French naturalized fellow citizens
VIII hereafter experience much
annoyance on the subject" ven
ture to predict that the tine is not far dis
tant when the other continental powers will
adopt the same wise and Just policy which
has done so much honor to the enlightened
government of the Emperor In any event
our Government is bound to protect the
rights OF our naturalized citizens everywhere
to the same ext9nt as though tn y had drawn
their first breath in the country. We can
recognize no distinction between our nstive
and naturalized citizens.
| RUSSIA.
Between the great empire of Russia and the
| Unlte1 States the mutual friendship and regard
which has so long existed still continues to prevail
aud, if possible to increase. Indeed our relations
| with that Empire are all that we could desire.
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now Of o moro COM
Plicaed though less dangerous character than they
! nave heen many years. Our citizens have long
held and continue to hold numerous claims against
! the Spanish government. These had been ably
urged for series Of years by successive dplo-
! matte representatives at Madrid, but without
obtaiaing redress. The Spanish governm ent finally
| agreed to institute a Joint commission for the
| adjustment of these claims, and on the 5th Of
! March 1860 concluded convention for this pur-
| pose with our present minister at Madrid.
! Under this convention. what have been deroni-
| mated "the Cdban claims, amounting to Sl23, 635
and 81 cents, in which moro than one hundred Of
our fellow citizens are interested, were recognized
and tho Spanish government agreed to pay $780,
goo of this amount ''within three months follow
| log the exchange of ratifcations" The payment
OF the remaining $28, 635 81 to await the de-
cison Of the commissioners for or against "the
Amistad claim; ;" but in any event the balance WAS
20 be paid to the claimants either by Spain or the
United States These terms l have every reason |
to know hi ghly satisfactory to the holders of
the Cuban claims Indeed, they have made a |
formal offer authorising the State Department to
settle these claims, and to deduct the amount of |
the Amisad claim from the which they are |
entitled to receive from Spain. This offer ofcour5e
cannot be accepted.
All other claims of citizens OF the United States |
against Spain, Of subjects Of the Queen Of Spain
against the United States, including the "Amistad |
claim, were by this convention referred to board |
nF IL, fko IL,
validity Of the Amistad claim nor any other
claim az ains either party, with the single excep-
uoa OF the Cuban claims, was recognized by the
convention. Indeed, the Spanish government did
not insist that the validity Of the Amstad claim
should DO thus recognised, notwithstanding its
payment had been recommended to Congress by
two Of my predecessors as we'll as BY myself, and
appropriation for that pUrpoSe had passed the
Senate of the United States They content
tina; II should be submitted the board of ex-
animation and decision, like the other claims
Both governments were bound respectively TO pay
the amounts awarded to the several claimants cat
such times and places as may DO fixed by and ac-
coriins to the tenor Of said Rwaris.'
I transmitted this convention to the Senate for
their constitutional action on the 81 Nav, 1860,
and on the 9Th OF the succeeding June, they de-
termined that they would mot advise and consent
to its ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with Spain
in an awkward and embarrassing position. 1t IS
more than probable that the final adjustment Of
these claims will devolve upon M successor.
reiterate the recommendation contained in my
Annual Message of December, 1858, and repeated
in that Of December, 1859, in favor Of the acqui-
sition Of Cuba from Spain by fair purchase.
firmly believe that such an acquisition would con-
tribute essentially to the well being and prosperity
Of both countries in all future time, as well as
prove the certain means Of Immediately abolshing
the African slave trade throughout the world.
would not repeat this Recommendation upon the
present occasion, if believed that the transfer of
Cuba TO the United States, upon conditions highly
favorable 10 Spain, could justly tarnish the ma
tonal honor Of the proud and ancient Spanish
Monarchy Surely no person ever attributed to
the first Napoleon disregard Of the national hon
Of France, for transferring Louisiana to the
United States for q fair equivalent both in money
and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, &C.
With the Emperor Of Austria, and the remain
ing continental powers Of Europe, including that
of the Sultan, our relations continue TO be Of the
most favorable character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued by the
Government of the United States towards the en-
pire of China has produced the most satisfactory
results The Treaty Of Tientsin Of the 18th June,
1853, has been faithfully observed by the Chinese
authorities The convention Of the Sth of NOvem-
ber 1858, supplementary to this treaty, for the
adjustment and satisfaction Of the claims Of our
citizens Oh China, referred to IN my last Annual
Message, has been already carried into effect, so
far rs this was practicable
Under this convention the sum Of 500 900 tael5,
equal to about 500 900, was stipulated to be
paid in satisfaction of the claims of american
citizens out Of the oneffth of the receipts for ton
mage import, and export duties Of American YES
sells az the ports Of Canton, Shanghae, and Fuchau;
and it was agreed that this amount shall be in
full liquidation Of all claims of American citizens
at the various ports to this date" Debentures
for this amount, to wit 300, 900 taes for Canton,
100, 900 for Shanghai, and l00, 900 for Fuchau-
were delivered according to the terms of the con-
vendoR by the respective Chinese collectors Of the
customs Of these ports to the agent selected By
minister to receive the same
Since that time the claims Of our citizens have
been adjusted by the board Of commissioners ap-
pointed for that purpose under the act of March
g. 1859, and their awards, which proved satisfao-
tory to the claimants, have been approved by our
minister. In the aggregate they amount to the
sum Of S49S,6 94 70. The claimants have al
ready received large proportion of the sums
awarded to them out Of the fund provided, and it
is confidently expected that the remainder will
ere long be entirely paid. After the awards shall
have been satisfied, there will remain Surplus Of
more than $500, 900 at the disposition of Con-
gresa. As this viii in equity belong to the Chi
nese government, would not justice require the
appropriation 10 some benevolent object in which |
the Chinese may be specially interested?
Our minister to China, in obedience to his in
structions, has remained perfectly neutral in the
war between Great Britain and France and the |
Chinese Empire; although in conjunction with !
the Russian minister, he was ever ready and |
willing, had the opportunity offered, TO employ !
his good offices IN restoring peace between the
parties. 1t Is but an act of simple justice, both
to our present minister and his predecessor. to
state, that they have proved fully equal to the
delicate, trying. and responsible positions in which
they have on different occasions been placed.
JAPAN.
The notifications Of the treaty with Japan, con- |
Guided at Yeddo on the Doth July, 1858, were ez-
changed at Washington on the 22d May last, and
the treaty itself was proclaimed on the succeeding
day. There is good reason to expect that, under
its protection and influence, our trade and inter-
course with that distant and interesting people |
will rapidly increase.
The ratifcations Of the treaty were exchanged
with unusual solemnity. For this purpose the
tycoon had accredited three of his most dstln-