The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-12-13
,pria,ion to some benevolent object
.n the Chinese may be specially inter>

DIR Minister TO China, in obedience to his
ructions, has remained perfectly neutral
The war between Great Britain and France
I'D the Chinese Empire, although in conjunc-
ion with the Russian Minister, he was ever
ready and willing, had the opportunity offered,
10 employ his good Offices in restoring peace
between the parties II is but an act of sim
pie justice. both 10 our present Minister and
his predecessor, to state, they both have prov.
ed fully equal to the delicate, trying and re.
rponsible positions in which they have on diff
ferent occasions been placed.
JAPAN.
The notifications of the treaty with Japan,
concluded at Yeddo on the 10Th Of July, 1858
were exchanged At Washington, on the I'D OF
May last and the treaty itself was proclaim
ed in the succeeding day. There is good rea-
son to expect that under its protection and
influence our trade and intercourse with that
distant and interesting people, will rapidly in
crease. The ratifcations Of the treaty were
exchanged with III usual solemnity. For this
purpose the Tycoon had accre lifted three
of his most distinguished Ministers Plenipo
Tertiary, who were received and treated with
markrd distinction and kindness, both by the
Government and people Of the U. S. There is
every reason ta believe that they have return
ed to their native land, entirely satisfied with
their visit, and inspired by the most friendly
feelings for our country. Let us ardently
hope in the language ofthe treaty itself, that
there shall henceforward be perpetual peace
and friendship between the United States Of
America and his Majesty the Tycoon of Japan
and his successors.
With the wise, conservative and liberia
government of the Empire Of Brazil your re-
lations continue to be Of the most amicable
character.
NEW GRENADA.
The exchlnge of the ratifcations Of the
Convention with the Republic of New Grena>
da, signed at Washington on the 9th Ssptem
ber 1857, has been long delayed from acci-
dental causes, for which neither party is CEN
surable. These notifications were duly ex-
changed in this city on the 9Th of November
last. Thus has n controversy been amicahly
terminated, which had become so serious at the
period of Inauguration rs to require me on the
/ 18th April, 1857, to direct our Minister to de.
mand his passports and return to the U. s.
Under this condition, the Government of New
Grenada has specially acknowledged itself to
be responsible TO our citizens for damages
which were caused by the riot at Panama on
the 18th April 1856. These claims together
with other claims of our citizens which had
long been urged in vain, are referred for adj
justment to board of Commissioners.
submit copyof the Convention to Congress
and recommend the legislation necessary to
carry it into effect
COSTA RIGA AND NICARAGUA.
Persevering efforts have been made for the
adjustment Of the claim Of American citizens
against the Government of Costa RIGA, and
am happy to inform you that these have fin
ally prevailed; u Convention was signed at
the city of San Jose, on the End of July last,
between the Minister resident Of the United
States in Costa RIGA, and the Plenipotentia-
ries of that Republic, referring these claims
to Board of Commissioners, and providing
for payment Of their awards. This Conven-
ton will be submitted to the Senate for Con-
stitutional action. The claims of our citizens
upon the Republic Of Nicaragua, have not yet
been provided for by treaty, although diligent
efforts for this purpose have been made bv our
minister resident of that Republic. These
are still continued with fair prospect of sue
cess.
MEXICO.
Our relations with Mexico remain in most
unsatisfactory condition. Inmy two last an
ual messages discussed extensively the cub
ject of these relations, and do not now pro-
pose to repeat mt length the facts and nrgu>
ments then presented. They proved conclu
sively that our citizens residing in Mexico, and
our merchants trading thereto, had suffered
series of wrongs and outrages such as We have
never patiently borne from any nation. For
those, our successive ministers, invoking the
faith of treaties, had in the name of their
country. persistently demanded redress and
naturalization, but without the slightest effect
Indeed so confident had the Mexican authors
ties been because of our patient endurance,
that they universally believed they might
commit their outrages upon American citizens
with absolute impuniy. Thus wrote our Min
lister in 1856, and expressed the opinion that
nothing but manifestation of the powers of
the Gov eminent and of its purpose to punish
these wrongs would avail. Afterwards, in
1857, came in the adoption ola new const:tu-
ton for Mexico the union of a President and
Congress under its provisions and the in
auguration of President within one short
month. However the Presidei was expelled
from the capital by rebellion in the army.
and the supreme power of the Republic was
assigned to Gen. Zuloaga. This usurper was
in his turn seon compelled to retire from the
place by General Miramon. Under the Con-
stitution which had thus heen adopted, Gen.
Juarex, as Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court
became the lawful President of the Republic,
and it was for the maintenance OF the Consti-
tiou, and his authority derived from it, that
the civil war commenced and still continues to
be prosecuted. Throughout the year 1853 the
Constitutional party grew stronger and stron>
ger. In the previous history Of Mexico sue
cessful military revolution ut the capital had
most universally been the signal for submis
sion throughout the Republic.
Not so on the present; n majority Of the
citizens ps,sistentiy sustained the constitu-
t;onal government. When this was recom-
mended in April 1859. by the government Of
the United States, its authority extended over
a large majority of the Mexican States and
people, including Vera Cruz, and all the
important scaports Of tho Republic. From
that period our commerce with Mexico be-
gan to revive, and the constitutional govern
ment has afforded it all the protection in their
power, Meanwhile the government Of Mira
mon, still held sway At The Capital, and over
the surrounding country, and continued it's
outra ges on the few America citizens who still
had the courage to remain within its powers.
To cap the climax. after the battle Of Tacu-
haye, in April, 1860, Gen. Marques ordered
three citizens of the United States, two of
them ply sicians, to be seized in the hospital
at that place, and shot without trial. This
was done, Notwithstanding our unfortunate
countrymen were at that momeht engaged in
the holy cause of Offering relief TO the sol
diers of both parties who had been wounded
in the battle. without making any distinction
between them. The time had arrived in my
opinion when this Government was hound to
exert its power to avenge and redress the
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