Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-12-14

LldhtilS NdF upon TIE unOHenuIl9 people
of the neighboring Republics, with whom
we are at peace.
In addition to these and other difficult
ties, we experienced Revision in none
tary affairs. soon after my advent, prove
ing of unexampled severity and ruinous
consequences, to the country. When we
take retr spect of what was then our
condition, and contrast this with its ma
terial prosperity at the time of the late
Presidential election, we have abundant
reason to return our grateful thanks to
that merciful Providence which has never
forsaken US, as nation, in all our trials.
Our relations with Great Britain are of
the most friendly character. Since the
commencement of my administration, the
two dangerous questions arising from the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty, and from the
right of search claimed by the British
Government, have been amicably and hon.
orably adjusted. The discordant construc-
tons of the clayton and Bulwer treaty
between the two Governments, which, at
different perid Is bore threatening aspect,
have resultedl n final settlement, entirely
satisfactory y this Government. In my
last annual message, | informed Congress
that the British Government had not then
completed arrangements with the Repub
lies of Honduras and Nicaragua in pur-
suance of the understanding between the
two Governments. 1t was nevertheless
confidently expected that the good work
would ere long be accomplished. This
confidence has since been fulfilled. Her
Britanic Majesty concluded treaty with
Honduras on the 28th Of November, 1859,
and with Nicaragua on the 28th of Aug,
1860, relinquishing the Mosquito Protect
crate. Besides, by the former the Bay
Islands are recognized as part of the Re-
public of Honduras.
1t may be observed that the stipulations
of these treaties conform in every impor
tent particular to the amendments adopted
at London, on the 18th of October, II Sc,
between the two governments. 1t will be
recolected that this treaty was rejected
by the British Government because of its
objection to the just and important amend
ment of the Senate to the article relating
to Ruatan and the other islands in the
Bay of Honduras. 1t is source of sim
cere satisfaction to all classes of our fell
low citizens, and especially to those en-
gagged in foreign commerce, that the claim
on the part Of Great Britain forcibly to
visit and 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 pecipitated into a war. This was
rendered manifest by the exasperated
state of public feeling throughout our en-
tire 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 peo-
pie hailed with general reclamation the
orders of the Secretary of the Navy to
our naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, to
protect all vessels of the United States
on the high seas from search or deten-
ton by vessels of war of any other ma
ton. These orders might have produced
an unfortunate 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 her own
most eminent julists. The only question
ofany importance which still remains open
is the disputed title between the two gov
ernments to the island of San Juan, in
the vicinity of Washington Territory. As
this question is still under negotiation, it
is not deemed advisable at the present
moment to make any other allusion to the
subject.
The recent visit of the Prince of Wales
in appropriate character, to the people of
this country, has proved to be a most au-
spicous event in its consequences. 1t
cannot fail to increase the kindred and
kindly feelings of both countries in their
political and social intercourse with each
other.
With France, our ancient and powerful
ally, orr relations continue to be of the
most friendly character. A decision has
recently been made by French Judicial
Tribunal, with the appreciation of the I'm
perial Government, which cannot fail to
foster the sentiments of mutual regard that
has 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 nat
ural right Of repatriation, it follows as a
necessary consequence, that Frenchman,
by the fact of having become citizen OF
the United States, has changed his allegi-
ance and has lost his native character. BE
cannot, therefore, be compelled to serve in
the French armies, in case he should re-
turn to his native country. These princi
Piles were announced in 1852 by the French
Minister of War, and in two late eases have
been confirmed by the French Judiciary
In these, two natives of France have been
discharged from the French army, because
they had become American citizens. To
employ the language of our present Minis
ter to France, who has rendered good ser.
vice on this occasion, Il do not think our
French nataralized fellow citizens will here
after experience much annoyance on this
subject. | vent Ire to predict that the
time is not far distant when the other con-
tinental powers will adopt the sama wise
and just policy which has done so much
honor to the enlightened government Of
10 k,mna-or L.