Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-12-12

1t may be observed that the stipulations
OF these treaties conform In every import
ant particular TO the amendments adopted
at London. on the l7th of October, 1856,
between the two Governments. 1t will be
recollected that this treaty was rejected by
the British Government because of its ob-
lection to the just and important amend
ment of the Senate To the art Icle relating
to Rualan and the other islands in the Bay
of Honduras. 1t is a source of sincere sat
isfsction to all classes of our fellow CHI.
zens, and especially to those engaged in
| foreign commerce. that the claim on the
part of Great Britain forcibly to visit and
search American merchant vessels on the
high seas. in the 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 il remained open
they might, at an moment, have been pre-
cipltated into war. This was rendered
manifest by the exasperated state of public
feeling throughout our entire country pro-
duced 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 ac-
claim the orders Of the Secretary of the
Navy Ia our naval force in the Gulf of
Mexico, 10 protect all vessels OF the Uuited
States on the high seas from search or de-
tention by the vessels of war of any other
nation. These orders might have pro-
dnccd an unfortunate collision between the
naval forces of the two countries. This
was most fortunately prevented by an ap-
peal to the justice of Great Britain and the
law of nations, as expounded by her most
eminent jurists. The only question of any
Importance which still remains open, IS
the disputed title between the two Govern.
ments to the Island o San Juan in the
vicinity of Washington Territory A this
question is still under negotiation, il is It
deemed advisable at the present moment
make any other allusion TO the subject.
The recent visit Of the Prince of Wales
10 appropriate character to the people of
this country. has proved to be most aus
picious event in its consequences. 1t can
not fai to inctease the kindred and kindly
feelings of both countries in their political
and social intercourse with each other.
FRANCE.
With France, ancient and powerful
ally, our relations continue to be of fhe
most friendly characte- A decision has
recently beeu made by French Judicial
Tribunal, with the appreciation of the I'm
DeTldl OONcIumtuls WHICH eau UOb ldll 10
foster the sentiments of mutual regard that
has so long existed between the two coun-
tries. Under me French law no person
can serve in the armies of France unless
he be French citizen.
The law Of France recognizing the ma
tural right OF expstriation, it follows as a
necessary conseq uence, that a Frenchman
by the fact Of having become a citizen of
the United States, has changed his alle
glance and has lost his native character
He can not, therefore, be compelled TO
serve in the French armies, in ease he
should return to his native country. These
principles were annsunced in S52 by the
French Minister OF War, and in two late
cases have been confirmed by the French
judiciary. In these, two natives of France
have been discharged from the French g my
because they had become American citi-
zens. To employ the language of our
/ present Minister to France, who has rem
dered good seavice on this occasion, al
j do not think our French naturalized fell
low citizens will hereafter experience much
annoyance on this subject venture 10
predict that the time is not far distant
/ when the other continental powers will
adopt the same wise and Just policy which
has done much honor to the enlightened
government of the Emperor" In any
event, our government is bound to protect
the rights Of her naturalized citizens ey
cry where, to the same extent as though
they had drawn their first breath in this
country. We can recognize no distinction
between onr native and naturalized
citizens.
Between the great Empire of Russia and
the United States the mutual friendship
and regard which has SO long existed, still
continues to prevail, and, if possible, to
increase. Indeed, our relations with that
Empire are all that We could desire
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now of a
more complicated. though less dangerous
character. than they have been for m an v
wears. Our citizens have long held and
, continue to hold. numerous claims against
the Spacish government. These have been
ably urged for n series Of years by our sue
cessive diplomatic representatives a. Mad
. rid but without Obtaining redress. The
Spanish government finally agreed to in
! stitute Joint commission fer the adjust
ment of these claims, and on the 5th day
of March, 1860, concluded convention for
that purpose. With our present Minister al
Madrid. Under this convention, what have
been denominsted the Cuban claims
amounting to Si2S ,635 81, in which NOR.
than one hundred of our fellow citizens are
interested, were recognized, and the Span.
ish Government agreed TO pay one hundred
thousand dollars of this amount withir
I three months following the exchange o
a ratifications. The payment OF the remain
ing SIS, ,635 81 was to await the decision
Of the commissioners for or against tn,
Amistead claim, but in any event, the bal
ance was TO be paid TO the claimants, eithe
:, by Spain or the United States Those term
| have every reason To know are highl,
satisfactory to the holders of the Cubal
: claims. Indeed, they have made forrna
a offer, authorizing the State Department L
= settle their claims, and to deduct the am
:. cunt of the Amistead claims from the sum
which they are entitled TO receive fron
- Spain This offer, Of course, can not y
accepted. All other claims Of citizens ,
!. the United States against Spain, or of si h
!, jects of the Queen Of Spain against the Q
:, States, including the Amistead claim
a were by this Convention referred to
= Beard OF Commissioners in the usual form
% Neither the validity of the Amistead clai,
- nor auy other claim against either part,
70 with the single exception of the Cuba
d claims, was recognized by the Convention
Of Indeed, the Spanish Government did n,
a. insist that the validity of the Amistes
he claim should be thus recognized. notwitt
e standing its payment had been recommeI
ded to Congress by two of my predecesso
al. as we'll as by myself. and an appropriate
% for that purpose had PASSED the Senate
nj. the u. States. They were content that
A. should be submitted TO the Board for e
en- animation and decision like the 9th
IN claims Both governments were bouI
,r- respectively to pay the amounts award
es to the several claimants, at such times al
ca places as may be fixed by and according
nat the teuer of said awards. and transmitt
or by this Convention to the Senate for the
constitutional action ON Sd May, 1869. a
on the 9th OF the succeeding June, tn
determined that they would not advise a
of consent 10 its ratification. These proces
the ings place our relations with Ssain in
the awkward aud embarrassing position. IL
the more than profile that the final adjustm'
the of these claims will devolve upon my s.
nsh cessor. L reiterate the recommended
on- contained in my annual message Of D
'uc- 1853, and repeat that of Dec. 1859, in fa'
be- of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
dit fair purchase firmly believe th at 81