Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-01-07
WHOLE NUMBER l79.

in proper form at Pei-tsang. AS the exchange
did not take place until the day prescribed by
the treaty, it is deemed proper, before its pub
lication, again to submit it to the Senate
1t is but simple justice 10 the Chinese au-
tho:ities to observe, that, throughout the
whole transaction they appeared to have acted
in good faith aud in y friendly spirit towards
the United States 1t is true this has been
done after their own peculiar tashion-hut We
ought to regard with lenient eye the ancient
customs Of an empire dating back for thous-
ands Of years, so far us this may be consisten,
with our rational honor: The conduct of our
minister on the occasion has received NV entire
appreciation.
In order to carry out the spirit Of this treaty,
and to give it full effect, it became necessary
to conclude two supplemental conventions
the one for the adjustment and satisfaction Of
the claims of our citizens, and the other to fix
the tariff OH imports aud exports, and to regu-
late the transit duties and trade Of our mar.
chants with China. This duty was satisfc.
torily performed by our late minister. These
conventions bear date at Shanghae Oh the 9th
Of November. 1858. Having been considered
III the light Of binding agreements subsidiary
to tue principal treaty, and to be carried into
execution without delay, they do not provid>
tor any formal ratification or exchange Of rati-
fcations by the contracting parties. This was
not deemed necessary by the Chinese, who are
already proceeding in good faith to satisfy the
cla'ms of our citizens, and, it is hoped, to carry
out the other provisions Of the conventions
Still thought it was proper to submit them
10 the Senate, by which they were ratified on
the Sd March, 1858. The ratified copies,
however, did not reach Shanghae until after
the departure Of our minister to Pekin, aud
these conventions could not therefore, be cx-
changed ut the Same time with the principal
treaty. No doubt is entertained that they
will be ratified aud exchanged by the Chinese
government, should this be thought advisable;
out, under the circumstances presented, shall
consider them binding engagements from their
date on both parties, and cause them to be
published us such for the information and
guidance of our merchants trading with the
Chinese empire.
1t affords me much satisfaction to inform
you that our difficulties with the Republic Of
Paraguay have been satisfactorily adjusted
1t happily did not become necessary to employ
the force for this purpose which Congress had
placed ut my command, under their joint rcso-
luton of I'd June, 1858. On the contrary, the
President Of that Republic. in friendly spirit,
acce'led promptly to the just and reasonable
demands Of tie government Of the United
States. Our Commissioner arrived ut Assump-
tio,l the capital Of the Republic, OH the 25th
cf January, 1889, and left it on the I'LL, OF
February, having in three weeks ably and sue
cessialIy accomplished all the objects of his
mission The treaties which he has concluded
will he Immediately submitted TO tie Senate
In the view that the employment of other
than peaceful means might be necessary to
obtain "just satisfaction from Paraguay, a
strong naval force was concentrated in the
waters of the La Plate to await contingencies
whilst our Commissioner ascended the rivers
to Assumption. The Navy Department is c',-
titled to great credit for the promptncss eff
cheney and economy with which this expetli-
tion was fitted out and conducted It cor
sisted Of nineteen armed vessels. great and
small. carrying 200 guns and $500 men. all
under the command Of the veteran aud gallant
Shabrick. The entire expense Of the exped;-
tion have been betrayed out Of the ordinary
appropriations for the naval service, except
the sum Of $780, 900, applied to the purchase
Of seven ufthe steamers, constituting part Of
it, under the authority Of the naval appropra-
ton act Of the 81 March last. 1t is believed
that these steamers were worth more than
their costs, and they are now all usefully and
actively employed in the naval service.
The appearance Of so large force, fitted
oat in such a prompt manner, in the far distant
waters Of the Ia Plate, and The admirable con-
duct Of the officers and men employed in it,
have had q happy effect in favor of our coun-
try throughout all the remote portion Of the
world. ;.Eea --...+
Our relation with the great empires Of
France. and Russia, as we'll as with all other
governments Gu the continent of Europe, un-
less we may except that Of Spain, happily con-
tinue to be of the most friendly character.
III my last annual message presented a
statement Of the unsatisfactory condition Of
our relations with Spain; and regret to say
that this has not materially improved. With
out special reference to other claims even the
+" Cuban claims" the payment Of which has
been ably urged by our ministers, and in which
more than 4 hundred Of our citizens are direct
! Ily interested, remain unsatis6ed, notwi,hstand-
ing both their justice and their amount ($l28,-
635.5O) had been recognized and ascertainc.l
! BY the Spanish government itself
I again recommend that All appropriation,
be made "to be paid to The Spanish Govern
,nent for the purpose Of distribution among
the claimants in the Amisted case" In com.
mon with two Of my predecessors. entertain
no doubt that this is required by our treaty
with Spain Of the 9th October, 1895. Tie
failure to dischargethis obligation has been
employedby the Cabinet Of Madrid ;.s reason
against the settlement Of our claims.
need not repeat the arguments which
urged in my last annual message in favor Of the
acquisition Of Cuba by fair purchase. My
opinions on that measure remain unchanged.
!, therefore, again invite the serious attention
Of Congress to this important subject. With
out a recognition Of this policy on their part,
it will he almost impossible to institute ucgo-
tia'ions with any reasonable prospect OF sue
cess. ej+5 y % eg.Jsm4@ @t@ a'# #@ - ~
Until a recent period there was good reason
! to believe that should be able to announce
TO you on the present occasion that our diff