Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-12-15

recently been made hy q French judicial
tribunal, with the appreciation ofthe impcri-
al government, which cannot fail to fos.
ter the sentiments of mutual regard that
have SO long existed between the two coun-
tries. Under 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 ofexpatraton,
1T follows rs a necessary consequence that
O Frenchman by the fact of having become
citizen Of the U. S. has changed his allegi-
ance and has lost his native character. He
cannot, therefore, be compelled to serve in
the French armies in case he should return
to his native country. These principles
were announced in 1852 by the French
Minister of War, and in the two late cases
have been confirmed by the French judi
ciary. In these, two natives of France have
been discharged from the French army be-
cause they had become American citizens.
To employ the language of our present
Minister to France, who has rendered good
service on this occasion, II do not think our
French naturazed citizens will hereafter
experience mach annoyance on this subject"
venture to predict that the time is not far
distant when other Continental Powers will
adopt the same wise and just policy which
has done so much honor to the enlightened
government of the emperor. Iu any event,
our government is bound top protect the rights
of our uuturaliZed citizens everyw here to
the same extent as though they had drawn
their first breath in this coutry. We can
recognize no distinction between our native
and nSturalized citizens.
RCssIA.
Between the great empire of Russia and
the United States the mutual friendship and
regard which has so long existed still con.
times TO prevail and if possible to increase.
Indeed, our relations with that empire are
all that we could desire.
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now of a
more complicated though less dangerous
character than they have been for many
years. Our citizens have long held, and
cOntnue to hold, numerous claims against
the Spanish government. These have been
urged for series Of years by our successive
diplomatic representatives at Madrid, but
without obtaining redress. The Span.
ish government finally agreed to institute n
joint commission for the adjustment of these
claims, and on the 5th day of March, 1860,
concluded convention for the purpose
with our present minister at Madrid.
Under this convention, what have been de,
nominated "the Cuban claims" amounting
to $l28,63 81 cents, in which more than
one hundred of our fellow citizens are tern
ested were recognized, and the Spanish gov
ernment agreed to pay 100000 of this
amount "within three months of the ex-
change Of ratifcations" The payment OF
the remaining $28, 635, "a was to await the
decision of the Commissioners for or against
" the Aimstad claim" but in any event the
balance was to be paid to the claimants,
either by Spain or the United States.
These terms l have every reason to know
are highly satisfactory to the holders of the
Cuban claims. Indeed, they have made a
formal offer authorizing the State Depart
ment to settle these claims, and to deduct
the amount Of the Amstad claim from the
sums which they are entitled to receive from
Spain. This offer, Of course, cannot, be &C.
cepted
All other claims of citizens of the q. S.
against Spain, or of subjects of the Queen
of Spain against the U. S. including "the
Aimsted claim" were by this convention re
ferred to IA board of commissioners in the
usual form. Neither the validity of the
Amistad claim nor any other claim against
ii how with tba cinplo ~
the Cuban claim. was reconzed by the con.
veniion. Indeed, the Spanish government
did not insist that the validity of the Ami
stad claim should be thus rcconized, not
withstandng its payment had been recon-
mended to Congress 10y two of my prede.
ceSsors as well as by myself, and an appro.
priation for that purpose had passed the
Senate of the U. S. They were content
that it should be submitted to the board for
examination and decision, like the other
claims. Both governments were bound re-
spectively to pay the amounts awarded to
the several claimants "at such times and
places as may be fixed by and according t.
the tenor Of said awards"
! transmitted this convention to the Sen
ate for their constitutional action on the 81
of May, 1860, and on the 9th of the sue
ceding June they determined that they
would mot advise and consent" to it
ratification.
These proceedings place our ralatiou
with Spain in an awkward and embarrass
ing position. 1t is more than probable tha
the final adjustment of these claims will
deyOlyp nnOn my successor
reterate the recommendation contained
in my annual Message of December, 1856
and repeated in 1859, in favor of the &C
QUESTION of Cuba, from Spain by fair pur
chase. | firmly believe that such an acqui
siton would contribute essentially to the we
being h prosperityo of both countries in all fu
ture time, as well as prove the certain mean
of Immediately abolishing the African slav
trade throughout the world. l would no
repeat the recommendation upon the presen
occasion, if ] believed that the transfer c
Cuba to the U. S. upon conditions highl
favorable to Spain could justly tarnish th
national honor of the proud and al
cient Spanish monarchy. Surely no perso
ever attributed to the FIRST Napoleon di,
regard of the national honor Of France, 70
transferring Louisiana to the United State
for fair equivalent both in money and con
mercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, ETC.
| yr-,A H. EF,onaror of Anefr;o on5 AZ