The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-14
FRANCE,

~, OuI IeldtlOnS CONtIluc " Uc "a tnc uioos
friendly character. A decision has recently
been made by French judicial tribunal. with
the appreciation of the imperial government,
which cannot fail to foster the sentiments OF
mutual regard that have so long existed be-
tween the two countries. 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 expatriation, it follows as nect Ssary con-
sequen &c that Frenchman, BY the fact Of
having become citizen of the United States,
has changed his allegiance, and has lost his
native character. He cannot, therefore, be
compelled TO serve in in the French armies
in case he should return to his native country.
These principles we're announced in 1852 by
the French minister of war, and in two late
cases have been confirmed by the French ju-
dietary. In these, two narives 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 rendeaed good service
on this occasion. Il do not think our French
naturalized fellow citizens will hereafter ex-
| perience much annoyance on this subject"
venture TO predict that the time is not
far distant when the other continental powers
will adopt the same wise and just policy
which has done SO much honor to the ell
lightened government of the emperor. In
any event, our government is bound to pro-
tect the rights of our naturalized citizens eve
rywhere to the same extent as though they
had drawn their first breath in this country.
We can recognize no distinction between ma
tive and natura!ized citizens.
/ RUSSIA
Between the great empire of Russia and
the United States the mutual friendship and
regard which has SO long existed still contin-
ues to prevail, and if possible, to increase
Indeed, our relations with that empire are all
that We could desire
Our relations with Spain are now of more
complicated though of a less dangerous char
acter than they have been for many years.
Our citizens have long held, and continue to
hold, numerous claims against the Spanish
Government. These had been ably urged for
a series of years by our successive diplomatic
representatives at Madrid, but without obtain
ing redress. The Spanish government finally
agreed to institute joint commission for the
adjustment of these claims, and on the 5th
day of March, 1860, concluded a convention
for this purpose with our present minister at
Madrid Under this convention, what have
ting to $l2S ,635. .54. in which more than one
hundred of our fellow-citizens are interested,
were recognized and the Spanish government
agreed to pay 100000 CT this amount with
in three months following the exchange of rat
itications.' The payment of the remaining
$2S, S,635.54 was to await the decision of the
commissioners for or against 1.-The Amistad
claim :" but i'll any event the balance was to
be paid to the claimants either BY Spain or the
| United States. These terms, l have every rea-
son to know. are highly satisfactory to the hol-
ders of the Cuban claims. Indeed, they have
made formal offer authorizing the State De-
partmcnt to settle these claims, and to deduct
| tee amount of the Amistad claim from the
sums which they are entitled to receive from
Spain. This offer, Of course, cannot be ac-
cepted.
! All other claims of citizens of the United
States against Spain, or of subjects of the
/ Queen of Spain against the United States,
including the 'Amistad claim were BY this
convention referred to a board of commission
ers in the usual form. Neither the validity of
the Amis,ad claim nor of any other claim
against either party. with the snslc exception
of the Cuban Claims. was recognized by the
convention. Indeed, the Spanish government
did not insist that the validity of the Amistad
claim should be thus recognized, notwith-
standing its payment had been recommended
to Congress by two of nv predecessors as
well as by myself, and an appropriation for
that purpose had passed the Senate of the
United States. They were content that it
should be submitted to the board for examin-
alton and decision, like the other claims Both
governments were bound respectively to pay
the amounts awarded to the several claimants
at such times and places as may be fixed BY
and according TO the tenor OF saib awards
| transmitted this convention to the Senate
for their constitutional action on the Sd of
May. 1860. and Oh the 9th of the succeeding
June. they determined that they would not
advise and consent to its ratification. These
proceedings place our relations with Spain in
an awkward and embarrassing position. 1t
is more than probable that the final adjust
mcnt of these claims will devolve upon my
successor.
reitera;e the recommendation contained
in my annual message OF December, 1858,
and repeated in that of December, 1859, in
favor of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
by fair purchase. firmly believe that such
an acquisition would contribute essentially to
the well-being and prosperity of both coun-
tries in all future time. as well as prove the
the certain means of Immediately abolishing
the African slave trade throughout the world.
would not repeat this recommendation
upon the present occasion. if believed that
the transfer of Cuba to the United States, up
on conditions highly profitable to Spain, could
Justly tarnish the national honor Of the proud
and ancient Spanish monarchy. Surely no
person ever attributed to the first Nopoleon
disregard of the national honor of France,
for transferring Louisiana to the United
States, for fair equivalent both in money
, and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA.
With the emperor Of Austria and the re-
naming continental powers of Europe, in
cluding that of the sultan. our relations con-
tinue to be of the most friendly character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued
by the government of the United States to-
yards the emperor of China has produced
the most satisfactory results. The treaty of
lien sin of the 18th of June, 1853, has been
faithfully observed by the Chinese authorities.
The convention of the Sth of November,
- = 1858, supplementary to this treaty, for the
adjustment and satisfaction of the claims of
our citizens in China; referred to in my last