Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-05

their cost, and they a:e now uSefully aud ac-
lively employed in the naval service.
The appearance of so large force, fitted
out in such prompt manner. in the fardis-
taut waters of the La Plata, and the admira.
be conduct of the officers aud men employed
in it, have had happy effect in favor of our
country throughout all that remote portion OF
the world.
Oar relations with the great Empires Of
France and Russia, as well as with all the 9th
er 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 a
statement of the unsatisfactory condition Of our
relations with Spain aud | regret to say this
has not materially improved Without special
reference to other claims, even the Cuban
claims the payment OF which has been ably
urged by our Ministers, and in which more
than q hundred of our citizens are directly iu-
terested remain unsatisfed notwithstanding
both their jlstIce aud their amour. 1923, G35
54 had been recognized aud aScertaiurd BY
the Spanish Government itself
Il again recommend that an appropriation
be made to be paid to the Spanish Govern
ment for the purpose of distribution among
the claimants in the Amistad case" In com
mon with two of my predecessors, entertain
no doubt that this is required by our treaty
with Spain of the 9th October, 1895. The
failure to discharge this obligation has been
employed 10y the Cabinet of Madrid as rea-
son against the settlement Of our claims.
! need not repeat the argument which
urged in my last annual message in favor Of
the acquisition of Cuba by fair purchase. Ny
opinions on that measure remain unchanged
therefore again invite the serious attention
of Congress to this important subject With
out recognition of this policy on their part,
it will be almost impossible TO institute ne
gotiatiOus with any reasonable prospect Of sue
cess.
Until recent period there was good reason
to believe that | should be able TO announce
TO you on the present occasion that oar diff
cuties with Great Britain, arising out Of the
Clayton aud Bu!wer treaty, had been finally
adjusted in d manner alike honorable aud sat-
sfactory TO both parties. From causes, how
ever, which the British Government had not
anticipated, they have not vet completed trea-
ty arrangements with the Republics of Hon
duruS and Nicaragua, in pursuance of the un-
derStunding between the two Governments.
II is, nevertheless, confidently expected that
this good work will ere long be accomplished
While inGulging the hope that no other sub,
iect remained which could disturbe the good
understanding between the two countries, the
question arisen out OF the adverse claims Of the
parties to the Island Of San Juan, under the
Oregon treaty Of the 10Th o. JuHc, 1916,
suddenly assumed threatening prominence
Iu order to prevent unfortunate collisions on
that remote frontier. the late Secretary Of
State, on the l7th July, 1855, addressed a
note to Mr. Crampton, then British Minister
at Washington, communicating to him a copy
Of the instructions which he Mr. Marcy had
given. on the l4th July, TO Gov Stevens Of
Washington Territory, having a special refer
eHce TO an apprehended conflict between our
citizens and the British subjects on the Island
of San Juan" To prevent this, the Governor
was instructed that the officers of the Ter
ritory should abstain from all acts on the dis,
puted grounds which are calculated to provoke
any conflicts, so far as it can be done without
implying the CONCESSION TO the authorities of
Great Britain OF an exclusive right over the
premises. The title onght TO be settled be-
fore either party should attempt to exclude
the other by Iorce or exercise complete and
exclusive sovereign rights within the fairly
disputed limits
la acknowledging the receipt or the next
day of Mr. Marcy's note, the British Minister
expressed his eutire concurrence in the pro.
priety of the course recommended to the Gov
ernor of Washington Territory by yOnr Mr..
Marcv'>l instructions TO that officer" aud
h., 10 ,. l., -.
ting a copy Of that document to the Governor
General Of British North America" and had
" earnestly recommended 10 his Exceiencv 10
take such measures as to him may appear hest
calculated to secure, on the part Of the British
local authorities AMI the inhabitants of the
neighborhood Of the line in question, the eX-
erciSe Of the same spirit of forbearance which
is mculcated by YOU Mr. Marcy on the
authorities and citizens OF the United Stats. "
Thus matters remained upon the faith OF
this arrangement until the 9th of July last,
when Gen. Harvey paid a visit to the island
He found upon it twenty-five American resi-.
dents with their families, and also an estab
lishment of the HudSou'S Bay Company for
the purpose of raising sheep. y short time
before bis arrival, one of these residents had
shot an animal belonging to the Company,
while treSpassing upon his premises for which
however, he offered to pay twice its value
but that was refused Soon after the chief
factor of the Company at Victoria, Mr.. DaIIes,
son in-law OF Gov. Douglas, came to the is
land in the British sloop of.war Satellite, and
threatened to take this American MS Cutler
by force to Victoria, TO answer for the treSpass
he had committed. The American seized hi;
rife, and told Mr. Dalles that if any such al
tempt was made he would kill him on thi
spot The affair then ended Under these
circumstances, the American settlers presented
petition to the General, though the U. S
Inspector of Customs, Mr.. HRbhs, to place
force upon the island to protect them from th'
indians as well as the oppressive interference
e e