Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-01-05

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ratification exchange of ratifcations by te con
tracing parties. This was not deemed necessary
by the Chinese, who are eldy proceeding in good
faith to satisfy the claims of citizens, and il is
hoped, to carry out the other provisions Of the
ventions. Still, thought it was proper to submit
them'to the Senate, by which they were ratified on
the Sd March, 1853. The ratified copies, however.
did not reach Shanshae until after the departure Of
our ministe ter to Pekn, and these conventions could
not, therefore, be exchanged at the same time with
the principal treaty No doubt IS entertained that
they will be ratified and exchanged by the Chinese
should this be thought advisable; but,
under the circumstances presented. shall consieF
them binding engagements from their date on both
parties and cause them to be published such for
the information and guidance Of our merchants
trading with the Chinese empire.
CUR DIFFICULTIES WITH PARAGUAf.
1t affords much satisfaction TO inform you
that our difficulties with the Republic of Paraguay
have been satisfactorily adjusted. Il happily did
not become necessary to employ the force for this
purpose which Congress had plaeeo at my command,
under their Joint resolution of I'd June, 1858. On
the contrary, the President of that Republic, in
friendly spirit, acceeded promptly TO the just and
reasonable demands ofthe government the Uni
ted States. Our Commissioner arrived at Assump-
tion the capital of the Republic, the 25th of Jan
uary 1882 and left it on the 18th of February, hav-
ing in three weeks ably and successly accomplished
all the objects of his mission. The treaties which
he has concluded will be Immediately submitted to
the Senate.
In the view that the employment of other than
peaceful means might be necessary to obtain 'juss
satisfaction from Paraguay, strong naval force
was concentrated in the waters of the La Plata 10
await contingencies, whilst our Commissioner as
ceEded the rivers to Assumption. The Navy De-
partment is entitled TO great credit for the prompt
ness, efficiency and economy with which this
CA 4
ed of nineteen armed vessels, great and SMALL car
rying 900 guns and , 500 men, all under the com
msnd of the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The
entire expenses OF the expedition have been defray--
eed out OF the ordinary appropriations for the naval
service. except the sum of $3.50 900, applied to the
purchase of seven of the steamers constituting a
part of it, under the authority of the naval appro-
priation act of the Sd March last. 1t is believed
that these steamers were worth more than their
cost, and they are now usefully ami actively en-
ployed in the naval service.
The appearance Of so large force, fitted out in
such prompt manner, in the far distant waters of
the La Plata, and the admirable conduct of the Off
GERS and men employed in il, have had happy ef-
feet in favor OF our country throughout all THAI
mote portion of the world.
FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CONTINENTAL GovEEs,Fyrs
EXCEPT SPAIN.
Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia, well as with all other governments
on the continent OF Europe, unless we may except
that Of Spain happily continue to be of the most
friendly character.
In my last annual message presented state
ment of the unsatisfactory condition our relations
with Spain; and regret to say thai this has not ma
teraily improved. Without special reference to
other claims, even the "Cubln Claims" the pay
ment of which has been ably urged by orr minis
tiers, and in which more than hundred of our cti-
directly interested, remain unsaisficd, not
withstanding both their justice and their amount
(Sl2s.o35 90 had been recognized and ascertain
ed by the Spanish government itself
| again recommend that an appropriation be
made ito be paid to the Spanish Governments for
the purpose OF distribution among the caima nts in
the Amistad case" In common with two of my
predece sors, entertain no doubt that this is re-
qured bv our treaty with Spain of the 9th Oc-
tober, 1895. The failure to discharge this obliga-
ton has been employed by the Cabinet of Madrid
a reason against the settlement of our claims.
ACQUISITION CT CUBA.
lneed not repeat the argument which urged in
my last annual message in favor of the acquisition
OF Cuba by fair purchase. Ny opinions that
measure remain unchanged. I, therefore, again
invite the serious attention of Congress to this i'm
portant subject. Without recognition of this poll
icy on their part twill be almost impossible to in
sttute negotiations with any reasonable prospect Of
success.
OUR DIFFICULTIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN
Until a recent period there was good reason to
believe that should be able to announce to YOU ON
the present occasion that our difficulties with Great
Britain arising out of the Clayton and Bulwer
treaty, had been finally adjusted in manner alike
honorable and satisfactory to both parties. From
causes, however, which the British Government
had not anticipated they have not completed trea-
ty arrangements with the republics OF Honduras
and Nicaragua, in pursuance OF the understanding
between the two Governments. Ii is, neverthe-
less, confidently expected that this good work vii
ere long be accomplished
Whilst indulging the hope that no othes subject
rem lined which could disturb the good understand
ing between the two countries, the questions arising
out of the adverse claims of the parties to the island
of San Juan, under the Oregon treaty of the 18th
of June, ls46, suddenly assumed threatnns
prominence. In order to prevent unfortunate eel
ions that remote frontier, the late Secretary OF
State, the 18th July, 1855, addressed note 20 Mr.
Champion, the British Minister at Washington,
communicating to him copy of the instructions
which he MIR. Marcy had given, on the l4th Of
July, to Governor Stevens, Of Washington TeIr:to-
ry, having a special reference to "apprchended
conflict between our citizens and the British sub
jects the island of San juan" To prevent this,
the Governor was instructed ",hat the officers of
the Territory should abstain r, mall acts on the d.;
puted grounds which calculate to pros Q any
conflicts so far as it can be done hout i'm ly ng
the concession to the authorities of Great Britain o.
an exclusive right over the premises. The title
ought to be settled before either party shoad at
tempt to exclude the other by force, or exercise
complete or exclusive sovereign rights within the
fairly disputed limits.
In acknowledging the receipt on the next day Of
Mr.. Marcy's note, the British Minister expressed
his entire concurrence sin the propriety of the
course recommended to the Governor of Washing
ton Territory by your Mr.. Marcy's) insrnctions
to that officer, AMI stating that he had lost time
in transmitting copy of that docuress to the Gov
ernor General of British North A mcriea,' and had
''eamestlr recommended to his Excellency to take
such measures to him may appear best calculated
to secure on the part of the British local authorities
and the nhab;tant of the line in question, the exer-
else of the spirit of forbearance which is in
culcated by you Mr.. Marcy loL the authorities and
citizens of the United Ststes."
Thus matters remained upon the fatlI of this ar
until the 9th of July last, when Gen.
Harney paid visit to the Island. He found uponis
twenty five American residents with their families.
md also an establishment of the Ifudson's Bay
Company for the purpose of raising sheep. A shorL
lime before his arrival, one of these residents had
shot an animll belonging to the Company, whilst
rcsE assing upon his premises, for which, however,
he offered to pay twice its value; but that was Ie-
fused. Soon alter the "clicf factor OF the Compa-
ny at Victoria, Mr.. Ulles, son-in-law of Governor
Douglas, came to the Island ON the British sloop-oE
Sar Satellite, and threatened to tskc s.this Ameri
AN Mr.. Cutter By force to Victoria. to answer TO
he trespass he had comm..ed. The American
seized his rife, and told Mr. Dalles If any such at
o,onf vac M ado bo xro,id N IAN, ~, <,o exs