Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-12-07

where TO the same extent as though they hae
drawn their first breath in this country. W.
can recognize no distinction between our ma
tive and naturalizcd citiizehs.
RUSSIA.
Between the great empire of Russil and the
United States the mutual friendship ana II garG
which has SO long existed still continues TO pre-
vail, and, if possible, TO increase Indeed, ouI
relations with that Empire are all that we
could desire.
Our relations with Spain are now Of more
complicated though less dangerous character
then they have been cor many years. Our citi-
zeus have long held, aud continue to hold,
numerous claims against the Spanish govern
meat These had leen ably urged for n series
of wears by our successive diplomatic represent
atiyes at Madrid but without obtaining r.
dress The Spanish government hnally agreed
to institute "A joint commission ior the adjust
ment If these claiIus, aud on the 9th day of
March, 1860, concluded convention for tEis
purpose with our present minister at Madrid.
Under this convention, what have been denomi-
mated the Cuban claims, amounting to
Sl2s, ,625. A, i'll which more than one hundred
of our fellow citizens interested, were re-
t. pay SlOO, GOO Of this amount within three
months following The exchange o. Iatiiica-
lions" The payment OF the remaining S20,-
G55 "a was to await the decision uf the com
missioners for OF against 'ihe Amisiad claim
but in any event the balaucc was TO be paid to
the claimants either by Spain or the United
States. These terms | Lave every reason to
know are highly satisfactory 10 the holders OF
the Cuban claims. Indeed, they have made
formal offer auth orzine the state Department
to settle these claims, and to deduct the
amount of the Amistad claim from the sums
which they are entitled TO receive hom Spain.
This offer, of course, cannot he accepted.
All other claims of ciiiz ms of the United
States against Spain, or OF subjects of the
Queen of Spain against the United States, in
cluding the "Amistid claim were by this
convention referred to board of commission
eys in the usual form Neither the validity of
the Amistad claim nor Of any other claim
against either party, with the single exception
OF the Cuban claim, was recognized by the
convention. Indeed, the Spanish government
did not Insist that the validity of the Amistad
claim should be thus recognized, nOtwithstand
ing its payment had been recommended TO
Congress by two of my predecessors as well as
10y myself, and all appropriation for that pur-
pose had passed the Senate OF the United States
They were content that it should tie submitted
to the board for examination and decision,
like the other claims. Both governments were
bound respectively TO pay the amounts award-
ed TO the several claimants at such times
and places rs may lie fixed by and according to
the tenor OF said awards
/ transmitted the proceedings OF this conven-
ton to the Senate tor their constitutional ac-
tion on the 81 of May, 1860, and on the 9th
of the succeeding June they determined that
they would mot advise and consent to its
ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with
Spain in an aw kward and embarrassing position
1t is more than probable that the final adjust
meEt Of these claims will devolvs upon my sue
cessor.
| reiterate the recommendation contained in !
my Annual Message Of December, 1859, and
repeated in that of December, 1859, in favor of
the acquisition of Cuba from Spain by fair |
purchase | firmly believe that such an acIui- |
sition would contribute essentially to the we'll |
being aud prosperity of both countries in all
future time as well as prove the certain means |
of Immediately aboishing the African slave |
trade throughout the world. | would not re-
peat this recommendation upon the present |
occasion, il | believed that the transfer of |
Cuba TO the United States, upon conditions !
highly favorable To Spain, could Justly tarnish |
the national honor of the proud and ancient
SlHnlsh surely person ever
trbuted TO the fist Napoleon disregard of the
national honor of France, for tranferrng Lou
isiana to the United States for1. fair equivalent
both in money and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, &c.
With the Emperor of Austria. aud the re-
naming continental powers of Europe, inclu
ding that of the Sultan. our relations continue
to he Of the most fIieldly character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued by
the Government Of the United States towards
the Empire Of China, has produced the most
satisfactory results The treaty of Tientsin OF
the 18th of June, 1858, has been faithfully OBJ
served by the Chinese authorities. The con-
ventiOn OF the Sth November, 1858, supple
mentary to this treaty, for the adjustment and
satisfaction of the claims of our citizens on
China, ref rred to in my last Annual Message,
has been already carried into effect, SO far as
this was practicable.
Under this convention the sum OF 500 600
taels, equal to about 500, GOO, was stipulated
10 be paid in satisfaction of the claims Of Ameri
can citizens, out of the one-tfth of the receipts
for tonnage import, and export duties on
American vessels at the ports Of Canton,
Shanghae, and Fuchau and it was agreed
that this amount shall lie in full liquidation of
all claims of American citizens at the various
ports to this date Debentures for this
amount-to wit: 800, 900 taels for Canton,
100, 900 for Shapghae and 100000 for Fucbau
were delivered according to the terms of the
convention by the respective Chinese collectors
of the customs of these potts TO the agent Sc
lected by our minister to receive the same.
Since that time the claims of our citizens
have been adjusted by the board of commits
soners appointed for that purpose under the act
OF March 3, 1859, and their awards, which
proved satisfactory to the claimants, have been
approved by our minister. In the aggregate
they amount to the sum of S49S, ,604 rs. The
claimants have already received large proper
ton of the sums awarded to them out of the
fund provided, and it is confidently expected
that the remainder will ere long Ge entirely
paid After the awards shall have been salts
fed, there will remain a surplus of more than
500, 600 at the disposition of Congress As
this will in equity belong to the Chinese gov
ernment, would not justice require its appro-
priation to some benevolent object in which the
Chinese may be specially interested!
Our minister to China, in obedience to his
Instructions, 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
tmnloy his good Offices in restoring peace be.