Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-12-06


RUSSIA.
Between the great empire of Russia and th
United States the mutual friendship and r6garC
which has so long existed still continues to pre-
vail. and if possible, to increase. Indeed, oul
relations with that Empire are all that we
could desire.
Our relations with Spain are now Of more
complicated though less dangerous character
then they have been for many years. Our citi-
zeps have long held, and continue to hold
numerous claims az inst the Spanish govern
ment These had teen ably urged for a series
OF years by our successive diplomatic represent
atives at Madrid but without obtaining re-
dress The Spanish government finally agreed
to institute joint commission for the adjust
ment of these claims, and on the 9th day of
March, 1860, concluded convention for tEis
purpose with our present minister at Madrid.
Under this convention, what have been denomi-
mated the Cuban claims, amounting to
Sl28 635, Al, ia which more than one hundred
of our fellow citizens are Interested were re-
cognized and the Spanish government agreed
to pay 100000 of this amount within three
months following the exchange OF 1atifica-
tions" The payment of the remaining $28,-
635, 54 was to await the decision of the COM
missioners for or against ''the Amistad claim ;"
but in any event the balance was to be paid to
the claimants either Ivy Spain or the United
States. These terms | lave every reason to
know are highly satisfactory 10 the holders of
the Cuban claims. Indeed, they have made a
formal offer auth orizng the state Department
to settle these claims, and to deduct the
amount of the Amistad claim from the sums
which they are entitled to receive from Spain.
This offer, of course, cannot be accepted.
All other claims Of citizens of the United
States against Spain, Of subjects of the
Queen of Spain against the United States, in
Guiding the ''Amistad claim,' were by this
convention referred 10 q board of commission
ers in the usual form. Neither the validity of
the Amistad claim nor OF any other claim
against aither party, with the single exception
of the Cuban claim, was recognized by the
convention Indeed the Spanish government
did not insist that the validity OF the Amstad
claim should be thus recognized, notwithstand-
ing its payment had been recommended to
Congress by two of my predecessors as well as
by myself, aud an appropriation for that pur-
pose had passed the Senate of the United States
They were content that it should he submitted
to the board for examination and decision,
like the other claims. Both governments were
bound respectively to pay the amounts award |
ed to the several claimants d" at such times
and places as may be fixed by and according to
the tenor of said awards.
! transmitted the proceedings of this conven- |
tion on the 81 Of May, 1860, aud on the 9th |
of the succeeding June they determined that
they would mot advise and consent to IFS |
ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with !
Spain in an awkward and embarrassing position |
1t is more than probable that the final adjust |
ment Of these claims will devOlvs upon my sue |
cessor.
/ reiterate the recommendation contained in |
my Annual Message Of December, 1859, and |
repeated in that of December, 1859, in favor of
the acquisition of Cuba from Spain by fair
purchase. firmly believe that such an acaui- |
sition would contribute essentially to the we'll |
being ard prosperity of both countries in all |
future time as well as prove the certain means |
of Immediately aboishing the African slave |
trade throughout the world | would not re-
peat this recommendation upon the present |
occasion, if l believed that the transfer of |
Cuba to the United States, upon conditions |
highly favorable to Spain, could Justly tarnish |
the national honor of the proud and ancient !
Spanish Monarchy. Surely no person ever at
trbuted to the first Napoleon disregard of the |
national honor of France, for tranferriug Lou
isiana TO the United States foIEa fair equivalent
both IN money and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, sc.
With the Emperor of Austria, aud the re-
naming continental powers of Europe, inclu-
ding that of the Sultan, our relations continue |
to be of the most friendly character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued by |
the Government Of the United States towards |
the Empire of China, has produced the most |
satisfactory results. The treaty of Tientsin of |
the 18th Of June, 1858, has been faithfully OBJ |
served by the Chinese authorities. The con-
Vention of the 8th November, 1858, supple
mentaIy to this treaty, for the adjustment and |
satisfaction of the claims of our citizens on |
China, retired to in my last Annual Message, |
has been already carried into effect, SO far as |
this was practicable.
Under this convention the sum of 500, 900 |
'taelS, equal to about 500, 600, was stipulated |
TO be paid in satisfaction of the claims of Ameri-
can citizens, out of the One-fifh Of the receipts
for tonnage import, and export duties on |
American vessels at the ports of Canton, |
Shaughae and Fuchau; and it was agreed |
that this amount shall te in full liquidation of |
all claims of American citizens at the various |
ports TO this date Debentures for this |
amount-to wit: 800 OCO taels for Canton. |
100, 600 for Shaughae and 100, 600 for Fuchau
were delivered according to the terms of the |
convention by the respective Chinese collectors |
OF the customs of these po-ts to the agent se-
lected by our minister to receive the same.
Since that time the claims of our citizens |
hoNS OSSA ouJucbSN b1 AA4O DOaIu VI COnIulS-
sioners appointed for that purpose under the act
of March 3, 1859, and their awards, which |
proved satisfactory to the claimants, have been
approved by our minister. In the aggregate
they amount to the sum of S498, ,604 70 The /
claimants baye already received large proper
ton of the sums awarded to them out of the
fnnd provided, and it is confidently expected
vt the remainder will ere long be entirely
VA. After the awards shall have been salts
thete will remain surplus of more than
l0O9 at the disposition of Congress AS
wil in equity belong TO the Chinese gov
nent, would not justice require its appro-
tton to some benevolent object in which the
nese may be specially interested?
Our minister 10 China, in obedience to his
instructions, has remained perfectly neutral in
the war between Great Britain and France and
the Chinese empire; although, in conjunction
with the Russian minister, he was ever ready
and willing, had the opportunity offered, to