Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-01-04

state that they always assured him no advsn
tage should be taken Of the DELAY, and this
pledge hss heen faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival Of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he re-.
quested an audience Of the Emperor 10 present
his letter Of credence. This he did not obtain 10
consequence Of hisvery proper refusal TO submit
10 the humiliatng ceremonies required by the
etiquette Of this strange people in approaching
their sovereign. Nevertheless the Interviews
on this question we're conducted in the most
friendly spirit and with all due regardto his per-
sonal feelings aud the honor Of his country
When presentation 10 his Majesty was found
to be impossible the letter of oredence from the
President Of the U. s., was received with pc
culiar honors by Kweiling, "the Empeior's
Prime Minister and the second man in the em
pire to the Emperor himself" The ratifea.
tions of the treaty were afterwards, on the
| l6h Of August, exchanged in proper form al
Pei-tsang. AsI the exchange didl not take
place until the day prescribed by the treaty, II
Is deemed proper. before its publication, 10 SUBJ
NIT il again 10 the Senate. a r.-.a
# is but simple justice to the Chinese au-
thorities to observe, that, throughout the whole
transaction they sppear 70 have acted in good
faith and in friendly spirit towards the Uni
ted States. II is true this has been done alter
their own peculiar fashion, but we ought to
regard with IeDient eye the ancient customs
Of an empire dating back for thousands Of
years, so far rs this may be eonsisl ent with
eur own national honor. Toe conduct of our
minister on the occasion has received my en-
tire appreciation.
In order to carry out the spirit Of this treaty
aud to give it full effect, it became necessary
to conclude two supplemental conventions--th
one for the adjustment and satisfaction of the
claims of our citizens, and the other to fix the
tariff on imports and exports, and TO regulate
the transit duties and trade Of our merchants
with China. This duty was satisfactorily per-
formed by our late minister These conven-
tions bear date at Shanghai on the 9Th Of No
vember, 1858 Having been considered 10 the
| light of binding agreements subsidiary to the
principal treaty and to be carried into execution
without delay, they do not provide for any for
NAL ratification or exchange Of rstiications by
the contracting parties. This was not deemed
necessary by the Chinese, who are already pro-
eeeding in good faith to satisfy the claims of
our citizens, and it is hoped, to carry out the
other provisions of the conventions. Still
thought twas proper to submit them TO the
Senate, by which they were ratified on the Sd
of March, 1859. The ratified copies, however
did not reach Shanghai until after the departure
of our minister TO Pekn, and these couven-
tions could not, therefore, be exchanged at the
same time with the principal treaty. No doubt
is entertained that they will be ratified and ex-
changed by the Chinese government. should
this be thought advisable; but, under the cir
cumstances presented, shall consider them
parties, and cause them to be published as such
fer the information snd guidance Of our mer-
chants trading with the Chinese empire.
| 1t affords me much satisfaction to inform you
that all our difficulties with the republic of Para
| quay have been satisfactorily adjusted II hap
| PLY did not become necessary to employ the
force for this purpose which Congress had plae-
ed at my command, under their joint resolution
Of I'd June, 1858. On the contrary, the Pres
ident Of that republic, in friendly spirit, ac-
ceded promptly to 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
1859, and left it on the 18th of FEBRUARY, hav=
ing, in three weeks ably and successfully ac-
complished sill the objects of his mission. The
treaties which he has concluded will be imme
diately submitted TO the Senate.
10 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.
ters of the La Plata to await contingencies
whilst our commissioner ascended the rivers tc
Assumption. The Navy Department is entitled
and economy with which this expedition was
fitted out and conducted. Il consisted Of nine.
teen armed vessels, great and small, carrying
200 guns and 500 men, all under the command
of the veteran and gallant Shubrick The On
tire expenses Of the expedition have been de-
frayed out of the ordinary appropriations fol
the naval service, except the sum Of $299, 900
applied to the purchase of seven of the steamers
constituting part of il, under the authority o
the naval appropriation act Of the 81 of Marcel
last 1t is believed that these steamers wer'
worth more than their cost. and they are al
now usefully and actively employed in the ma
val service.
The appearance Of so large a force, fitted ou
in such prompt manner, in the far distan
) waters of the La Plata, and the admirable con
duct of the officers and men employed nit, haY
had a happy effect in favor of our countrl
} throughout all that remote portion Of the world
Our relations with the great empires O
, France and Russia as well as with all other gov
ernments on the continent of Europe. unes
we may except that of Spain, happily continu
, to be of the most friendly character.
In my last annual message presented
$ statement of the unsatisfactory condition Q
, our relations with Spain; and regret to Sc
! that this has not materially improved. With
: out special reference to other claims, even tn
! "Cuban claims" the payment Of which ha
. been ably urged by our ministers, and in whie
0 more than hundred Of our citizens are direcl
: ly interested, remain unsatisfed notwithstanJ
: ing both their justice and their amount % 1873
: S35 54) had been recognized and ascertaine
u by the Spanish government itself
: again recommend that an appropriation
made "to bs paid TO the Spanish GoveFnmer
: for the purpose Of distribution among th
Q claimants in the Amistad case" In commo
. with two Of my predecessors, / entertain n
. doubt that this is required by our treaty wit
0 Spain Of the 27th October, 1895. The failui
Y to discharge this obligation has been employe
= by the Cabinet Of Madrid as q reason again
7. the settlement of our claims.
. need not repeat the arguments Ehich
urged in my last annual message in favor
q the acquisition Of Cuba BY fair purchase. N
a opinions on that measure remain unchanged.
l. therefore, agsin invite the serious attention
If Congress TO this important subject. Without
ls recognition of this policy on their part, it W
"a he aimost impossible to institute negotiation
J. with any reasonable prospect Of success.
% Until recent period there was good re
/ son to believe that should be able To announce
:. you on the present occasion that our difficult
= with great Britain. arising out Of the Clayton Al
, BulWer treaty, had been finally adjusted Ia mal
a ner alike honorable and satisfactory TO both pa
It ties. From causes, however, which the Briti
r0 government nau not anticipated kney nave nOt GO
j. pleted treaty arrangements with the Republics
a. Honduras and Nicaragua, In pursuance OF the III
: deFstandiDg between the two governments. Il
a nevertheless confidently expected that this go
work will ere long be accomplished
le Whilst indnlging the hope that no other suble
remained which could disturb the good undeTstau
s. log between the two countries, the question a
ee sing out OF the Advese claims Of the parties 70
n Island oi San Juan. under the Oregon treaty
a, the 18th June, l640 suddenly assumed
- thrsatening prominence. Ia order TO prevent a