, 1860-12-06

.; s,,a may Be deemed d. nost %4saes to
mcnt might be confined TO the final
settlement of the construction Of the
Constitution Oh three special points =
First, IN cxprcss recognition Of f,le right Of
property in slaves in Tue States where it now
exists, or may hereafter exist. Second, The
duty Of protecting this right in all the COM
mon territories throughun; their territorial
existence, md until they shall be admitted as
States into the Union. with or without slave
~, rs their Constitution may prescribe. Third,
like recognition OF the right Of tie master
TO his slave, who has escaped from one State
TO Rnothe1, to be restored and delivered up to
him; and the validity Of the Fugitive Slave
Law, enacted for this purpose, together with
declaration that all State laws impairlng or
decreasing this right arc violations Of the Con-
stitution, una consequently null and void.
1t may be objected, that this construction Of
the Constitution has already been settled by.
the Supreme Court Of the United States, and
what more ought to br required. The answer is
that Il very large proportion of the people Of the
United Suites still controyert the correctness
Of this decision, and never will cease from agi-
tatlon and admit its binding force until clearly
established by the people Of the several States
In their sovereign character. Such an cxpla-
nation would, tits believed, forever terminate
the existing dissensinns, and restore peace
and harmony among tic States. It ought not
tralncnt established by the Constitution itself.
would be received with favor BY all tlc States
OF the Confedcracy. In any event il ought 10
be tried in spirit Of Cancellation hcforc any
Of these States shall selssrata themselves fFou
the Union.
When entered upon tho duties ofthc Presi-
Dental office, neither our foreign nor
*$11 {FA$x 80 All -n$f+
were involved in dangerous complications
with several nations, and two Of our territories
we're in state of revolution against our Gov
clnmeu; resturationt OF the African slave
trade had numerous md powerful advocates;
unlawful military expeditions were counte-
nauccd by many uf Cur citizens. and were sui-
fercd, in defiance Of the efforts vi our Govern
.nent, to escape fru1n our shores for the pur-
pose Of making war upon tie unoGtndlny peo-
pic Of tile neighboring Republics, with whom
We were at peace
III addition to these and other difficulties.
We experienced rcvulsion In monetary o!-
fairs, soon after my advent, proving OF uncx-
the country. When We take 4 retrospect Of
what was then our condition, and contrast this
with its material prosperity q. the time Of the
late Presidential election, VIC have abundant
reason to return our grateful thanks to that
mcrciful Providence Which has never forsaken
us, rs nation, in Ill our trials.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are Of the
most friendly character. Since the commence
mcnt Of my administration, the two danger
0us questions arising from the Clayton and
Bulwcr treaty, and from the right Of search
claimed by the British Government, have bccn
anlicably and lonorabIy adjusted. The dis
corLant constructions Of the Clayton aud Bul-
wcs treaty between the two Governments,
which, at different periods Of tue discussion,
bore threatening aspect, have resulted in A
final settlement, entirely satisfactory to this
Government, In my last annual message, !
informed Congress that the British Govern
ment he'd not then completed arrangements
with the Republics Of Honduras and SicaEa-
qua in pursuance Of the understanding be-
tween the two Governments. 1t was never
thclcss confidently expected 1ltat the good
work wou1d ere long be accomplished. This
tanic Majesty concluded a treaty witt, Hondu-
r.s on the 18th Of November, 1850, and with
Nicaragua on the 1Sth Of August, 1850, re-
linquishing the Mosquito Protcctoratc. Be-
sides, by the former the Bay Islands arc re-
cosnized as 4 IItrt Of the Republic Of llcn-
d1ras.
1t n,ay be observed that the stipulatious Of
these treaties conform In every important par
tfcular to the amendments adopted at London.
on the 18th October, 1856, between the two
governments. II will be rccollccted that this
treaty was rejected ly the British Government
bccausc of its objection to the just and inpor-
tant amendment OF the Senate 10 the article
relating to Ruatan and the other islands III the
Bay of Honduras. 1t is source Of sincrrc
satisfaction to all classesof our fellow citizens,
and cspccialty to those engaged in foreign
commerce, that the claim on tile part Of Great
Britain forcibIy to visit and search American
merchant vessels Oh tho high seas, III time Of
peace, has been abandoned. This was, by far,
the most dangerous question to the peace OF
the two countries, Which llss existed since tile
war OF 1872 Whilst it remained open, they
might at any moment have been rreciI-
itated into 4 war. This was rendered lnani-
fest by the exaspcratcd state Of public
feeling throughout our entire country,
produced ly the forcible search Of american
merchant vessels by British cruisers OIL tic
coast Of Cuba, in tho spring Of 1883. The
American people hailed with general acclaim
the orders Of the Secretary Of the Navy to our
naval force in tic Gulf Of Mexico, fu project
nll vessels Of the United States on the high
seas from search or detention by tho vessels o.!
war Of any other nation. These orders might
have produced an unfortunate collision be-
tween the naval forces of the two countries
This was most fortunately prevented lv an
appeal 10 the justice Of Great Britain. aud to
the law Of nations, rs cxVoNnica By her Own
most eminent jurists. The only question OF
any importance which still remains open is
Tho disputed title between the Two govern
ucntS to the island of San Juan, in the yicin-
ity Of Washington Territory. AS this 4ncs.
tIon is still under citation, If is not deemed
advisable at the present moment to make any
other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit Of tic Prince of Wales in
appropriate character, to tho pc ,plc of This
country, has proved to be most auspicious
event in Its consequences. It cannot fail to
increase the kindred aud kindly feelings Of
both countries in their political and social In
tercoursc witt, cach o1ncr.
FRANCE
With France, OUT ancient and powerful ally,
our relations continue 10 be Of the most
friendly character. A decision has rccentl,
been made by French judicial Tribunal, with
the appreciation of the Imperial Government,
which cannot fail to foster the sentiments of
mutual regard tlla: has so long existed between
the two countries. Cn.lcr the French Law. no
person can serve in The armies Of France unless
he be ] French citizen.
The law Of France recognizing the natural
right Of cxpatriatio,l. it follows Us necessary
consequence, tirst Frenchnau. by tlc fact Of
havin:, become Il citizen Of the Cnitcd States,
has changed lis allegiance anil l1a, lost lis M.
tive character. lie c.lnnot, therefore, be COM
pelled to serve in the French armies, in case
hc should return to his nativccOuntry. Tlcse
principles were announced in 1852 by the
Frencl. Minister 0f War, and in two late cases
have been confirmed By the French Judiciary.
In these. two natives Of France have hcrn dis
char=cdfrom the cFrcncllaruly, they lad
become American citizens. To cr,,.ley tllr Lam
gua.cc nf our present Minister To France, who
has rendered good service OIL this occasion, IT
do not think our French naturalizch fellow
citizens will hereafter experience mucf, annoy-
ancc on this subject venture TO predict that
the time IL not FIR distant when the other con.
ufrJt 11.Hc
just policy which has done su 1nlt h honor fo
the enlightened government Of the Emperor
In any event, our government is bound to pro-
tcct the rights Of her natuE.lized citizens cyc-
rywhcte, to the same extent rs. though they
had drawn their first breath in .hIs country.
We can recognize no distinction between on,
native and uaturtlizcd citizens.
Russia.
Between the great Empire Of Russia aud the
Unitcd States, the mutual friendship aud re-
gard which has 70 lo1g existed, still continues
TO prevail. and, If possible. to increase. In
deed, our relations with lhat Empire arr al
that VIC could desire.
-Our relations with Spain are now OF more
complicated. though less dangerous character,
than they have been for Iil1Iy years Our
citfzcnsthayc long llckf, and t-on.inue to hold,
numerous claims against the Spanish govern
mcnt. These have been ably Urged for So
ries Of years by our snecessisc diplomatic
tanning redress. The Spanish Government
finally agreed to institute a joint commission
for the adjustment Of tl,tse claims, and
on the lttll day Of March, 1850, concluded
a convention for that purpose with uur
present Minister at Madrid. Cndcr this
Convention, what have been slenomiuatr,l
the Cuban claims, amounting TO s1:,S CT 81,
in which rnnrc tltan onc hun4rrd nf nu fet1n,t-