The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-05
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FIench Minister OF War, and in two late cases ha VI
been confirmed by the French judiciary. In these
two natives of France have been discharged fro 4
the French army because they had becom
American citizens. To employ the language .
our present Minister to France, who has renderel
good service on this occasion 81 do not think on
French naturalized fellow citizens will heresfsel
experience much annoyance on this subject"
venture TO predict that the time Is not far distant
when the other Continental Powers will adopt thl
same wise and just policy which has done so mu0k
honor to the cnlightene government of the Empo
TOT IN any event, our government is bound q
protect the rights OF naturalized citizens every
where to the same extent as though they had
drawn their first breath in this country. We oan
recognise no distinction between our native snd
naiufazed citizens.
Between the great empire OF Russia and tn
United States the mutual friendship and regard
which have 80 long existed still continue to prevan
and. il possible, to increase Indeed, our relaIouo
wan that empire are all that we could desire.
sPAis
Our relations with Spain are now Of moro cem-
phcaed though lesH dangerous character than they
save Deen 10, many years. Our citizens have loua
beld, and continue TO hold, numerous ciaims
aRainst the Sr anish government These had been
ably urged for series Of years by our successive
diplomatic representatives at Madrid, but withoue
obtaining redress. The Spanish government finally
agreed 30 institute joint commission for the Il
justmen. Of these claims, and on the 9th day q
Harch 1850. concu sei convention for this purpoeo
with our present Minister al Madrid. Under thia
ban claims" amounting to tl2S ,635 and 81 cent.
N which more than oae hundred of our fellow ci1i-
zeas are interested, were recognized, and ~
spanish government agreed TO pay 800 900 of thi1
amount Ain three months folio wing the exchange
~ rstiicaiioas." The payment OF the remainin9
as S35 81 to await The decision Of the Commis-
Sioners for or against : the Amistad claimu bat
u aeg event the balance was to be paid to Ne
claimants, either by spain or the United States.
ihess terms, have every reason to know, hiehr
~ satisfactory to the holders Of the Cuban ca1s.
indeed, they have made formal offer authorizing
lhe Stnte Department TO settle these claims aud q
deduct the amount Of the Amistad claim from ths
sums which they are entitled to receive from
spain. This offer, of course, cannot be accepted.
All ether claims of citizens of the United States
against Spain, or Of subjects Of the Queen of Spain
against the United States, including the "AmistAd
ciaim,v we're by this convention referred to .
Board Of Commissioners in the usual fern.
Neither the validity Of the Amistad ciaim
nor Of any other claim against either party,
With the single exception OF the Cuban claims, waa
recognized by the convention. Indeed, the Spaa-
sh government did not insist that the validity of
the Amistad claim should be thus recognized, not
withstandng its payment had been recommended
10 Congress by two OF my predecessors well -
ny myself, and an appropriation for that purpose
Lad passed the Senate OF the United States. They
content that it should be submitted to the
Board for examination and decision, like the other
claims. Both governments were bound respective
N TO pay the amounts awarded TO the several
claimants "at such times and places as may be
liked by and according 10 the tenor oi said
wards
transmitted this convention to the Senate for
iheu constitutional action on the Sd Of May, 1850,
and on the 27th of the succeeding June they deter
mined tina. they would mot advise and consent -
rs ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with Spain
n an awkward and embarrassing position. II iS
more then probable that the final adjustment o.
these claims will Gevova upon my successor.
IIete rate the recommendation contained In u1
annual Me--ags Of December, 1858, and repeated
IN that Of December 1853. In favor OF the scqu-iuoo
81 Cuba iron Spain by fair purchase. firmly be.
ieve that such acquisi don would contribute ea-
sen,ially 10 the well being and prosperity Of botA
countries in all future time. as well AS rove
the certain means ~ Immediately abolshnR tho
Africa an slave trade throughout the world. ! would
not repeat this recommendation upon the present
OCCASION if believed that the transfer Of Cuba -
the United States, upon conditions highly favor.
able TO spain, could justly tarnish the national
honor OF the proud aud ancient spanish monarchy.
surely person ever attributed To the first Nap0-
eon disregard Of the national honor OF France,
for transferring Louisiana TO The United States for
advantages.
With the Emperor Of Austria, and the remaining
Con mental Powers Of Europe, including that q
fhe Sultan, our relations continue to be Of the
most friendly character
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued by the
government OF the United States towards the en-
pre Of China has produced the most satisfactory
results The ,rcafy of Ten tain Of the 18th OF JuneS
lsjs. has been faithfully observed by the Chinese
authorities. The convention Of the 8fh November,
1885, supplementary TO this treaty, for the adjust
mcnt and satisfaction OF the claims Of our citizens %
,hiDa referred to In my last annual Message, has
been already carried into effect, SO Tar as tins was
practicable.
Under this convention the sum Of 800 900 taels,
equsl To about 500 600, was stipulated 70 be paia
IN satisfaction Of the claims OF American citzcas,
out Of the fifth OF the receipts for tonnage I'M
nd American
ports OF Canton, Shanghae aud fuchau; and u was
agreed that this amount shau be In full iiquidA-
ton Of sl claims Of American citizens at the Va
rious ports 10 this daie.n Debentures for this
amount 10 wi,:-300 900 taels for canton, 100 000
| for Shanghae, and 100 900 for Fuchau-were de-
liverea accor ling 10 the terms OF the convention
by the respective Chinese collectors Of the cn.toms
oi these ports 20 the agent selected by our Minis
i ter 10 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 Marci
i B, 1869. and their awards, which proved satisfsc
| tory TO the claimants, have been approved by ON
Minister. m In a. the aggregate they amount 70 ~
| rocclved large proportion Of the sums awarded
to them out of the fund provided and IL is cons
denuy expected that the remainder will ere long
be entirely paid After the awards shall have beca
satisfied there will remain o surplus Of more than
500 600 az the disposition Of Congress. As this
will IN equity belong 70 the Chinese government,
would not justice require It's appropriation TO some
benevolent objsct in which the Chinese may be
specially interested,
Our Minister to China, in obedience 70 his in
structions, has remained perfectly neutral In the
war between Great Britain and France aud the
Chinese empire; although, In conjunction with ths
Russian Minister. he was ever ready and willing,
had the opportunity offered, to employ his good
Office. In restoring peace between the parties. II
IL but act Of simple justice, both 10 our present
Minister and his predecessor 70 state that they
have proved faily equal 20 the delicate, trying
and responsible positions in which they have q
dif.renf occasions been placed.
tarsv
The ratlications of The treaty with Japan, coa-
cluded Al Jeddo on the 23th July, 1863, we're ex.
changed AZ Washington the 22d May last, and ths
treaty tef was proclaimed on the succeeding
day. There Il good reason 10 expect that. undsu
iis protection and influence, our trade and intee
course with that distant and interesting people VII
rapidly increase.
The ratifcs,ions of the treaty were exchanged
with unusual solemnty. For this purpose the
Tycoon had accredited threo Of his most dis
1nguished subjects as ENJOYS Extraordinary and
l Ministers Plenipotentiny, who we're received and
/ treated with marked distinction and kindness bod
\ by the government and people OF the United States
There IL every reason 10 believe that they have 70