Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-12-06
WASHINGTON CITY, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1860.

l. An express recognition of the right of property in
slaves In the States where II exists may hereafter
exist. -
o. The duty of protecting this right In all the common
Territories throughout their territorial existence, and
until they shall I've admitted States into the Union,
with without slavery, their constitutions may pre-
scribe. p sa -Fa ..-- eF.- s'e go fja7H'.7s
a. like recognition of tho right OF the master to have
his slave who has escaped from State to another
stored and delivered up to him. and of the validity of
the ugtivesave law enacted for this purpose together
with declaration that all State laws imparng de-
ctiug this right violations of the Constitution and
arc consequently null and void.
It may be objected that this construction of the Con-
sttuton has already bcea settled by tho Supreme Court
of the United States and what ought BIO required
The is that very large proportion of the people
of the United States still contest the correctness of this
decision aud will from agitation and admit
its binding force until clearly established by the people
of the several States in their sovereign character Such
explanatory amendment would it is believed forever
terminate the existing discussions and restore peace and
harmony among the States. -7.t..|
IL ought not to be doubted that such appeal to the
arbtramcnt established by the Constitution itself would
be received with favor by all the States of the Coneder
acy. In any event it ought to bo tried in spirit Of
Cancellation before any Of these States shall separate them
selves from tho Union. D..
When entered upon the duties of the presidential
Office the aspect neither of foreign domestic Of
fairs ct all satisfactory We involved in dan
gerous complications with several nations and two of
Territories in state of revolution against the
Government. restoration of tho African slave trade
had numerous and powerful advocates. Unlawful mill
tary expeditions countenanced by many of citi
zens and suffered in defiance of the efforts of the
Government to escape from shores, for tho purpose
OF making war upon the unolfending people of neghbor
ing republics with whom at peace. In addition
to these aud other difficulties experienced revulsion
in monetary affairs, after my advent to power OF
unexamped severity and of runous consequences to all
the great interests Of the country. When take
Prospect Of what then condition and contrast this
with it's material prosperity at the time of the late prcs
dental election, have abundant to return
forsaken US as nation In all our past trials
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly
character Since the commencement of my adnnistra-
tion Mo two dangerous questions arising from tho Clay
ton and Dulwer ,.ty and from the right OF search claim
cd by tho British govornn.cn have been amicaby and
honorably adjusted, IT'D
The discorant constructions OF the Clayton anu Bulwcr
treaty between tho two governments, which, at different
periods Of the discussion bore threatening aspect have
resulted Ia final settlement entirely satisfactory to this
Government In my last annual message informed Con-
grcs that the British government had not then compc
tel treaty arrangements with the republics of Honduras
and Nicaragua in pursuance of the understanding between
the two governments. 1t is nevertheless confidently
pectcd that this good work will long be accomplished
This confident expectation has since been fulfilled Her
Britannia Majesty concluded treaty with Honduras
on the 2Sth November 1885, and with Nicaragua the
2sth August, 1860, rcnqusing the Mosquito proteoo
rate. Besides by the former, the Bay Islands rcco
missed part of the republic of Honduras II may be
observed that the spulaons of these treaties conform In
every important particular to the amendments adopted by
the Senate OF the bnted states the treaty concluded
London the 18th October ,s56 between tho two gov
crnmcnts. 1t will be recoeced that this treaty
iectsd by the British government because of its objection
10 the Just aud important amendment of the Senate to the
article teAtng 70 Ruatan and the other islands in the
Bly, Of Honduras.
1t must be source of sincere satisfaction 10 all classes
of our fellow citizens and especially to those engaged in
hat cIa
Britain, orcbly to visit and search American merchant
vessela the high In time of peace has been aban
doned This was by far the most dangerous question to
the peace of the counties which has existed since the
war OF 1872. Whilst IL remained opeh they might at
any moment have been precipated into II war. This
was rendered manifest Gy the exasperaed state of public
feeling throughout our entire country produced by the
fEcibe Rearch of American merchant vessels by British
cruisers the coast of Cuba in the spring of 1898. The
American people hailed with general acclaim the orders
Of the Secretary OF the Navy to orr naval force in the
Gulf Of Mexico, to protect all vessels q tho United
States the high from search detention by the
vessels Of way of any other nation. These orders might
have produced immediate collision between the naval
forces Of the two countries This was most fortunately
prevented by appeal TO the Justice of Great Britain and
to the law Oh nations expounded by her own most emf
! nent jurists. -.
The only question of any importance which still
mains open is the disputed title between tho two gov
ernments to tho island of San JUAN In the vicinity of
Washington Territory. As this question il still under
negotiation It is not deemed advisable at the present
ment To make any other allusOn 10 the SUBJECT
The recent visit of the Prince Of Wales, in private
character to the people of this country has proved to be
a most suspicious event In its consequences it cannot
fail to increase the kindred and kindly feelings which
trust may actuatc the government and people of
both countries Ia their political end social intercourse
with each other.
With France ancient and powerful ally, rcla
tons continue to be of the most friendly character.
decision has recently been made by French judicial tr
Of NJ
which cannot fail to foster the sentiments of mutual
gard that have long existed between the countries
Under tho French law person serve in the armies
Of France unless he be French citizen. The Inv of
France recognising the natural right of cxpatration 1t
follows necessary consequence that FreDchmnn, by
the fact of having become citizen of the United States
has changed his allegiance and has lost his native char
acter He cannot therefore, DO compelled to in
the French armies in he should return to his native
country. These principles announced In 1852 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
army because they had become American citizens 10
employ the language of present minister to France
who has rendered good servco this occasion, II do
not think French naturalzed felow-ci will
hereafter experience much annoyance this subject -
venture to predict that the time not far distant when
the other continental powers will adopt the same wise
and uet policy which has done much honor to the
enlightened government of the Emperor In any event.
Government is bound to protect the rights of
naturalizl citizens everywhere to the extent
though they had drawn their first breath in this country
We recognise distinction between our native and
naturalizcd citizens. -- .
......
Between the great empire of Russia aud the United
States the mutual friendship and regard which has 60 long
existed still continues To prevail, ANIL IL possible to in
creasc Indeed relations will, that Emire all