Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-12-14


amounting to Sl2s,t35, 81, in which more
than one hundred of our fellow citizens are
interested, were recognized. and the Span
ISL Government agreed to pay one hundred
thousand dollars Of this amount within
three months following the exchange of
notifications. The payment of the remain
ing SOS, 635 81 was to await the decision
OF the commissioners for and against the
Amistad claim. but in any event, the bal
ance was to be paid to the claimants, ell
Their by Spain or the United States. Those
terms, have every reason to know, are
highly satisfactory to the holders of the
Cuban claims. Indeed. they have made
formal offer, authorizing the State Depart
mcnt to settle their claims, and to deduct
the amount Of the Amistad claims 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, or of
subjects OF the Queen Of Spain against
the United States, includ g the Amistad
claim, were by this Convention referred to
4 Board Of Commissioners in the usual
form. Neither the validity OF the AIMS
tad claim, nor any other claim against Ell
Their party, with the single exception of
the Cuban claims, was recognized by the
Convention. Indeed the Spanish Govern
ment did not insist that the validity Of the
Amisted claim should be thus recognized,
notwithstanding its payment had been re-
commended to Congress by two of my pre-
decessors, as we'll as by myself, and an ap
propria alton for that purpose had passed the
Senate of the United States. They were
content that it should be submitted to the
Board for examination 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 said awards, and
transmitted by this Convention to the SEN
ate for their constitutional action. On the
Sd of May, 1860, and on the 9th of the
succeeding June, they determined that they
would not advise and consent to its ratifica-
ton. These proceedings place our rela-
tions with Spain in an awkward and en-
barrassing position. It is more than prob
able that final adjustment of these claims
will devolve upon my successor. | reiter-
ate the recommendation contained in my
annual message of December, 1858, and
repeated in that of December, 1859, in ia
vor of the acquisition Of Cuba from Spain
by fair purchase. [ firmly believe that
such an acquisition would contribute es-
sentiaily to the we'll being and prosperity
of both countries, in ali future time, as well
| as prove the certain means of Immediately
aboishing the African slave trade, through
out the world | would not repeat this
recommendation upon the present occasion,
if 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
attributed to the first Napoleon dsre-
gard Of the national honor of France, for
transferring Louisiana to the United States
for fair equivalent, both in money and
commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, &c.
With the Empire of Austria and the re-
naming continental powers Of Europe, in
Guiding that of tho Sultan, our relations
continue to be of the most friendly charac-
ter.
The friendly and peaceful policy pur-
sued by the Government of the United
States towards the Empire of China, has
produced the most satisfactory results. The
treaty of Tien-tsin of the 18th of June,
1858, has been faithfully observed by the
Chinese authorities. The convention of
the 9Th of November. 1858, supplemental
~ to this treaty for the adjustment and
satisfaction of the claims of our citizens in
China, referred to in my last annual mes
sage, has already been carried into effect,
so far as this was practical.
Under this convention, the sum of $780,
600 taels, equal to about 100000, was
stipulated to be paid in satisfaction of the
claims of American citizens out of the one
filtieth Of the receipts for tonnage, import
and export duties on American vessels, at
the ports of Canton, Shanghai and Fuchou +;
and it was agreed that this amount shall
be in full liquidation of all claims Of Amer
lean citizens at the various ports to this
date. Dehentures for this amount, TO wit:
800, 600 taels for Canton, 100000 for
Shanghai and 1000 for Fuchou, were
delivered according to the terms of the
convention, by the respective Chinese col
lectors OF the customs of those ports, to
the agent selected by our Minister to re-
ceiye the same. Since that time the claims
of our citizens have been adjusted by the
Board OF Commissioners appointed for
that purpose, under the act of March Sd,
1889, and their awards, which proved
satisfactory to the claimants, have been ap-
proved by our Minister; in the aggregate,
they amount to the sum of $4SS, 694 Is.
The claimants have already received a
large portion of the sums awarded to them,
out of the fund provided, and it is conf
IDENTIFY expected that the remaidner will,
ere long, be entirely paid After the
awards shall have been satisfied, there will
remain surplus of more than $780, 600
at the disposition Of Congress As this
will in equity belong to the Chinese Gov
eminent, would not justice require its ap-
preparation to some benevolent object, in
which the Chinese may be specially inter
ested?
Our Minister to China, in obedience tc
! his Instructions has remained nerfect1y