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

acts, or they might have represented to their
respective members in Congress, thereof
would propose an explanatory amendment to
the constitution, or two-thirds of themselves
if such had been their option, might, BY an
application to Congress, have obtained con-
vention for the same object" This is very
course which | earnestly recommend in Or
der to obtain an "explanatory amendment
of the constitution on the subject of slavery.
This might have originated with Congress or
the state legislatures, as may be deemed
most advisable to attain the object. The ex-
planatory amendment might be confined to
the fina! settlement of the true construction
OF the constitution on three special points M
l. An express recognition of the right of
property in slaves in the states where it now
exists or may hereafter exist.
.. The duty of protecting this right in
all the common territories through their ter
ritorial existence, and until they shall be ad-
mitted as states into the Union with or with
out slavery, as their constitution may pre-
scribe.
3 A like recognition of the right of the
master to have his slave. who has escaped
from one state to another and "dclivercd up"
to him, and of the validity of the fugitive
slave law enacted for this purpose, together
with declaration that all state laws impair
ing or defeating this right are consequently
null and void.
1t may be objected that this construction
of the constitution has already been settled
by the supreme court of the United States,
and what more ought to be requirede The
answer is, that very large proportion of
,hc people of the United States still contest
the correctness of this decision, and never
will cease from agitation and admit its bind
:ng force until clearly established BY the peo-
pie of the several states in their sovereign
character. Such an explanatory amendment
would, it is believed, forever terminate the
existing dissensions and restore peace and
harmony among the states.
1t olght not to be doubted that such an
appeal to the arbitramcnt established by the
constitution itself would be received with fa-
vor by al the states of the confederacy. In
any event it ought to be tried in spirit of
conci!iation before any of these states shall
separate themselves from the Union.
When entered upon the duties of the
presidential office, the aspect neither of for
eign or domestic affairs was at all satisfacto-
rv. We were involved in dangerous COM
plications with several nations, and two of
our territories were in a state of revolution
against the general government. A restora-
ton of the African slave trade had numerous
and powerful advocates. Unlawful military
expeditions were countenanced by many of
oar citizens. and were suffered, in defiance of
the efforts OF the government, to escape from
our shores. for the purpose of making war
upon til" uno'icnding people of neighboring
republics with whom We were at peace. In
addition to these ard other difficulties, We
experienced a revulsion in monetary affairs,
soon after my advent to power. Of unexam-
Piled severity and of ruinous consequences to
all the great interests of our country. When
We take retrospect of what was then oul
condition and contrast this with its matcria
prosperity at the time of the late presidential
election, we have abundant reason to return
our grateful thanks to that mcrciful Provi.
dencc which has never forsaken US as a ma
ton in all our past trials.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the
most friendly character. Since the com.
mencement of my administration. the two
dangerous questions. arising from the Clay
ton and BulWcr treaty. and from the right OF
search claimed by the British government
have been amicably adjusted. The discard.
ant constructions of the Clayton and Bulwcr
treaty between the two governments, which
at different pcriodr Of the discussion, bore a
threatening aspect, have resulted in final
settlement entirely satisfactory to this gov
rrnmcnt. In my last annual message | in.
forcd Congress that that the British govern.
ment had rot then "completed treaty ar
rangcmcnts with the republics of Honduras
and Nicaragua i'll pursuance Of the under
standing between the two governments. |,
is nevertheless confidently expected that this
good work will ere long be accomplished. -
This confident expectation has since been
fulfilled Her Britannia Majesty concluded a
treaty with Honduras on the 2Sth November
1859, and with Nicaragua on the 2Sth Angus,
1860, rclinquishins the Mosquito protectors
te. Besides, by the former, the Bay island:
are recognized as part of the government
of Honduras. 1t may be observed that til,
s.pul.tions of these treaties conform in eve
rv important particular to the amendment.
adoptt! ny the Senate of the United State,
to the treaty concluded at London on the 1ti
October, 1856 between the two governments
Il will be rcroiicctcd that this treaty was re
irctcd by the British government becanse OF
is OBI csi5n to the just and important amend
nl,.it OF the Senate to the article relating t,
Ru..i;n and the other islands in the Bay o
Honduras.
Ii muSt be source of sincere satisfaction
u al Glasses OF our fellow citizens, and cspe
cialiy to those engaged in foreign commerce
hat the claim, on the part of Great Britain
torcibly to visit and search American mer
chant vessels, on the high seas ON time o.
peace, has been abandoned. This was by ia
the most dangerous question to the peace o
the two countries which has existed since tn
var of 1872 While it remained open. the
might at any moment have been precipitate
into war. This was rendered manifest b
the exasperated state Of public opinion
thro oughout our entire country, produced b
the forciblc search of American merchant We.
sels by British cruisers on the coast of Cub;
in the spring Of 1853. The American peopl
hailed with general acclaim the order of I'll
secretary Of the navy to our naval force i
the gulf Of Mexico, Ito protect all vessels O
the United States on the high seas, frol
search or detention by vessels Of war of an
other nation" These orders mi ght have pr
iuccd an immediate collision between Ii
naval forces OF the two countries. This ";
most fortunately prevented by an appeal
the justice of Great Britain and TO the law G
nations as cxpounded by her own most em
nent jurists.
The only question of any Importance whic
still remains omen is the disputed title b