The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-12-13

OF revolution against our
a restoration of the African slave trade
had numerous and powerful advocates;
unlawful military expeditions were
countenanced by many of our citizens,
and we're suffered in defiance of the eff
forts of our Government, to escape
from our shores for the purpose of
making war upon the unoffending peo.'
pie of the neighboring Republics, with
whom we were at peace.
In addition to these and other diff
culties, we experienced revulsion in
monetary affairs, soon after my advent,
proving of unexampled severity and
ruinous consequences to the country.
When we take a retrospect OF what
was then our condition, and contrast
this with the material prosperity at
the time of the late Presidential cleo
ton. we have abundant reason to re-
turn our grateful thanks to that merci-
full Providence which has never forsak-
en- US, as a nation, in all our trials.
OUR FoREIGN RELArIoNs-GREAr BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are
of the most friendly character. Since
the commencement of my administra-
ton, the two dangerous questions aris-
ing from the Clayton and Bulwer trea-
ty, and from the right OF search claimed
by the British Government, have been
amicably and honorably adjusted. The
discordant constructions Of the Clayton
and Bulwer treaty between the two
Governments, which, at different peri
DDS of the discussion, bore threaten
ing aspect, have resulted in a final set
Element, entirely satisfactory to this
Government. In my last annual mes
sage, l informed Congress that the
British Government had not then COM
pleted arrangements with the Repub-
lies of Honduras and Nicaragua in pur-
suance of the understanding between
the two Governments. 1t was never
theless confidently expected that the
good work would ere long be accom-
plished. This confidence has since
been fulfilled. Her Britanie Majesty
concluded a treaty with Honduras on
the 2Sth of November 1859, and with
Nicaragua on the 2Sth of August, 1860,
relinquishing the Mosquito Protecto-
rate. Besides, by the former the Bay
Islands are recognized as part of the
Republic of Honduras.
1t may be observed that the stipula-
tions of these treaties confirm in every
important particular to the amendments
adopted at London, on the 18th Octo-
Der, 1855, between the two govern.
ments. 1t will be recollected that this
treaty was rejected by the British Gov.
eminent because of its objection of the
Ijust and important amendment of the
Senate to the article relating to the Rua-
tan and the other islands in the Bay OF
Honduras. 1t is source of sincere
satisfaction to all classes of our fellow
citizens, and especially to those en-
gagged in foreign commerce, that the
claim on the part of Great Baitain for.
chilly to visit and search American
merchant vessels on the high seas in
time of peace, has been abandoned.
This was, by far, the most dangerous
question to the peace Of the two
countries, which has existed since the
war of 1912. Whilst it remained open
they might at any moment have been
precipitated into war. This was
rendered manifest by the exasperated
state of public feeling throughout oul
entire country, produced by the forcible
search of American merchant vessels
. by British cruisers on the coast Of
Cuba in the spring of 1858. The
American people hailed with general
acclaim the orders of the Secretary oil
the Navy to our naval force in the Gull
OF Mexico, to protect allvessels of the
United States on the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels Of
war of any other nation. These or
: ders might have produced an unfortu
nate collision between the naval forces
; of the two countries. This was most
: fortunately prevented by an appeal to
: the justice of Great Britain, and to the
law of nations, as expounded by hel
own most eminent jurists. The only
question of any Importance which still
J remains open is the disputed title be
tween the two governments to the is
land of San Juan, in the vicinity Of
: Washington Territory. AS this ques
) ton is still under negotiation, it is no
} deemed advisable at the present mo
ment to make any other allusion to the
subject. s -
} The recent visit of the Prince O
. Wales in appropriate character, to thu
! people of this country, has proved t.
, be most suspicious event in its con
sequences. 1t cannot fail to increas,
the kindred and kindly feelings of boil
, countries in their political and social in
, tercourse with each other. ~
FRANCE.
With France, our ancient and power
full ally, our relations continue to be o
the most friendly character. A decis
ion hasrecently been made by Frencl
Judicial Tribunal, with the approba
ton of the Imperial Government
!. which cannot fail to foster the senti
ments of mutual regard that has 81
i, long existed between the two coun
tries. Under the French law, no per
: son can serve in the armies of Franc,
unless he be French citizens.
: The law of France recognizing tn,
natural right of expatriation, it follow
as a necessary consequence, that
Frenchman, by the fact of having be
: come citizen of the United States
t has changed his allegiance and has los
Il, ,~x.~ L 81,