Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-05

furce Tor this purpose which Congress mao pia-
eed at my command, under their joint resolution
OF I'd June, 1858. On the contrary, the Presi-
dent of that republic, in friendly spirit. acce-
ded promptly 10 the just and reasonable de-
mands Of the government Of the United States
Our commissioner arrived at Assumption, the
capital of the republic, on the 25th of January,
1853, and left it on the I7th of February, hay-
ing. in three weeks ably and successfully ac-
complished all the objects of bis mission. The
treaties which he has concluded will be imme-
diately submitted tn the Senate
In the view that the employment of other
than peaceful means might become necessary
TO obtain '.just satisfaction" from Paraguay, a
strong naval force was concentrated in the wa
tiers of the La Plata to await contingencies,
whilst our commissioner ascended the rivers to
Assumption. The Navy Department is entitled
to great credit for the promptness, efficiency and
economy with which this expedition was fitted
out and conducted. 1t consisted of nineteen
armed vessels, great an small, carrying 200
guns and $500 men. all under the command of
the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The entire
expenses of the expedition have been betrayed
out OF the ordinary appropriations for the naval
service. except the sum of $2690OO. applied TO
the purchase of seven of the steamers constitu-
ting part of it, under the authority of the na-
val appropriation act of the Sd of March last.
4
more than their cost, and they are all now use
fully and actively employed in the naval service.
The appearance of SO large a force, fitted out
In such prompt manner. in the far distant wa
tiers of the La Plata, and the amirable conduct
of the officers and men employed in it, have had
happy effect in favor Of our country through
out all that remote portion of the world.
Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia as well as with all other govern
ments on the continent of Europe, unless we
may except that of Spain, happily continue to
be of the most friendly character
| In my last annual messag presented state
ment of the unsatisfactory condition of our re-
lations with SPAN; and regret to say that this
has not materially improved. Without special
| reference TO other claims, even the Cuban
Claims" the payment of which has been ably
urged by our ministers, and in which more than
hundred of our citizens are directly interested.
| remain unsatisfed, notwithstanding both their
justice and their amount ($l28, 1895, ,154) had
been recognized end ascertained by the Spanish
government itself.
again recommend that an appropriation be
made ''to be paid to the Spanish Government
for the purpose of distribution among the claim
ants in the Amistad case." In common with
two of my predecessors, entertain no doubt that
this is required by our treaty with Spain of the
9th October. l795. The failure to discharge
this obligation has been employed by the Cab
met of Madrid as reason against the settle
ment of our claims.
/ need not repeat the arguments which / urg
ed in my last annual message in favor Of the
acquisition of Cuba by fair purchase. Ny opin-
ions on that measure remain unchanged. /,
therefore, again invite the serious attention of
Congress, to this important subject. Without
recognition of this policy on their part, it will
be almost impossible to institute negotiations
with any reasonable prospect of success.
Until recent period there was good reason to
believe that l should be able to announce
to you on this occasion that our difficulties
with great Britain, arising out of the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty, had been finally ad-
justed in manner alike honorable and satis-
factory 10 both parties. From causes, however,
which the British government had not anticipate
ed, they have not completed treaty arrangements
with the Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua.
in pursuance of the understanding between the
two governments. Its, nevertheless confident
ly expected that this good work will ere long
be accomplished.
Whilst indulging the hope that no other SUBJ
ject remained which could disturb the good un-
derstanding between the two countries, the ques-
tion arising out of the adverse claims of the par
ties to the Island of San Juan. under the Oregon
treaty of the 18th June, Isl Is. suddenly assumed
Il lIlIcsiitBlHS pTOtDlHeHCe III OIuCr~ W pIeNeHb
unfortunate collisions on that remote frontier,
the late Secretary of State. on the 18th July,
1855, addressed a note to Mr.. Champion, the
British Minister at Washington, communicating
to him copy of the instructions which he Mr..
Marcy) had given, on the 18th July, to Govern
or Stevens. OF Washington Territory, having a
special reference 10 an "apprehended conflict be-
tween our citizens and the British subjects on
the Island of San JUAN" To prevent this the
Governor was instructed, "that the officers of the
Territory should abstain from all acts on the
disputed grounds which are calculated 10 pro-
woke any conflicts, 50 far as it can be done with
out implying the concession to the authorities
of Great Britain of an exclusive right over the
premises. The title ought to be settled before
either party should attempt to exclude the other
by force, or exercise complete and exclusive
sovereign rights within the fairly disputed lin
its.
In acknowledging the receipt on the next day
of Mr.. Marcy's note, the British Minister ex-
pressed his entire concurrence "in the proprie-
ty of the course recommended to the Governor
of Washington Territory by your Mr.. Marcy's)
instructions 10 that officer" and stating that he
hadI "lost no time in transmitting copy of
that document to the Governor General of Brit
ish North America" he had earnestly recon-
mended to his Excellency to take such meas
ures as TO him may appear best calculated to
secure, on the part of the British local authori-
ties and the inhabitants of the neighborhood of
the line in question, the exercise of the same
spirit of forbearance which is inculcated by
you Mr.. Marcy on the authorities and citizens
of the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this
arrangement until the 9th of July last. when
Gen. Harney paid a visit to the Island. He
found upon it twenty five American residents
with their families. and also an establishment of
the Hudson Bay Company for the purpose of
raising sheep. A short time before his arrival
one of these residents had shot an animal be-
longing to the Company, whilst trespassing up
on his premises. for which, however, he offered
to pay twice its value. but that was refused
Soon after "the chief factor of the company at
Victoria, Mr.. Dalles. son-in-law of Governor
Douglas came to the island in the British sloop-
of-war Satellite, and threatened to take "this
American Mr.. Cutter) by force to Victoria: to
answer for the trespass he had committed.-
The American seized his rifle, and told Mr.. Dali
les if any such attempt was made he would kill
him on the spot The affair then ended"
Under these circumstances the American set |
tiers presented a petition to the General,
"through the United States Inspector of Gus
toms, Mr.. Hubbs. to place force upon the is
land. to protect them from the Indians as well |
as the oppressive interference of the authorities
of the Hudson Bay Company at Victoria with
their right rs American citizens" The Gener- |
ordered Capt. Geo. E. Picket, 9th infantry. "to
establish his company on Bellevue. or San Juan |
island. on some suitable position near the har-
Dor at the southeastern extremity" This order |
was promptly obeyed and military post was
established MT the place desiopated, The force |