The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-11


therefore, be compelled to in the French armies
in case he should return to his native country TbeS
principles were announced in 1852 by the French Min
lister of War; and in late have been confrma
by the French Judiciary. In these two natives nc
France have been discharged from the French armv
because they had become American citizens. To ON
ploy the language of present minister to Frame
who has rendered good service this occasion g"
do not think our French naturalized felow-citzeps
will hereafter experience much annoyance this sinh
ject" venture to predict that the time is not far d
tant when the other continental powers will adopt tba
same wise and just policy which has done so much
honor the enlightened government of the Emperor
In any event, Government is bound protect the
tights of naturalized citizens everywhere to the
extent though they had drawn their first breath
in this country. We can recognise no distinction be-
tween our native and naturalized citizens.
RUssA.-Between the great empire of Russia and the
United States the mutual friendship and regard which
has so long existed still continues to pevail, and if
possible to increase. Indeed relations with that
Empire are all that we could desire.
SPAN.-Our relations with Spain are now of a more
complicated though less dangerous character than b
have been for years Our citizens have long held
and continue TO hold, numerous claims against the
Spanish government. These have been ably urged for
series of years by successive diplomatic
tatves at Madrid, but without obtaining redress The
Spanish government finally agreed to institute Joint
commission for the dustmen of these claims and on
he 9th day of March, 1850, concluded convention for
this purpose with our present minister Madrid. I'm
der this convention, what have been denomnaed the
Cuban claims, amounting to 635 and 81 cents in
which more than hundred of fellow citizens are
interested, were recognised, and the Spanish govern
ment agreed to pay 500 900 of this amount within
three months following the exchange Of notifications"
The payment of the remaining $2s 635 81 to await
the decision of the commissioners for against "the
Amistad caim but in any the balance was 10 be
paid to the claimants either by Spain or the United
States. These have every reason TO know are
highly satisfactory to the holders of the Cuban claims
Indeed, they have made formal offer authorizing the
State Department to settle these claims and to deduct
the amount of the Amistad claim from the sums which
they entitled to receive from Spain This offer of
course, cannot be accepted.
All other claims of citizens of The United States
against Spain, of subjects of the Queen of Spain
against the United States, including the "A~istad
claim. were by this convention referred 10 board Of
commissioners in the usual form. Neither the validity
of the Amistad claim of any other claim against
either party, with the single exception of the Cuban
claims recognised by the convention. Indeed, the
Spanish government did insist that the validity of
the Amistad claim should be TINS recognised nowith
standing its payment had been recommended to Con-
gress by two Of predecessors well by myself
and appropriation for that purpose had passed the
Senate of the United States They content that
it should be submitted the boa for examination
and decision, like the other claims Both governments
were bound respectively to pay the amounts awarded to
the several claimants at snch times and places
be fixed by and according the of said awards"
transmitted this convention to the Senate for their
constitutional action on the Sd May 1860 and the
9th of the succeeding Jane they determined that they
would g not advise and consent" to its ratification
These proceedings placed our relations with Spain in
-
prObab that the final adjustment Of these claims will
devOlre npOn my successor
reiterate the recommen da.iOn contained in my An
nua Message OF December 1858, and repeated in that
of December, 1859 in favor of the acquisition Cuba
from Spain by fair purchase firmly believe that such
an acquisition would contribute essentially the we'll
being and prosperity of both countries in all fRture
time, as well prove the certain means of Immediately
abolishing the African slave trade throughout the
world. would not repeat this recomme ndation upon
the present OCCASION if believed that the transfer of
Cuba highly
favorable to Spain, could justly arnsh the national
honor OF the proud and ancient Spanish Monarchy.
Surely person attributed to the first Napoleon
disregard of the national honor of France for trans
ferrng Louisiana to the United States for fair equiv
alent both in money and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, &c With the Emperor of Austria. and the
remaining continental powers of Europe, including that
of the Sultan, relations continue to be Of the most
friendly character.
CHINA.-The friendly and pea cefn policy pursued by
the Government of the United States towards the
pire of China has produced the satisfactory
suits. The treaty of Tientsn of the 9Th of June,
1885, has been faithfully observed by the Chinese
thorites. The convention of the 9Th November 1858,
supplementary TO this treaty, for the adjustment and
satisfaction of the claims of citizens China
erred to in last Annual Message, has been already
carried into effect, so far this practicable.
Under this convention the of 500 900 aes equal
to about 500 0OO stp ulated TO be paid In sAsae
ton of the claims Of American citizens of the one
fifth of the receipts for tonnage import and export du
ties on American vessels at the ports of Canton Shang
nae anu IL was agreed lnat tDls amount
shall be in full liquidation of all claims of American
citizens at the various ports to this date Debentues
for this amount-to-wit: 300, 900 taels for Canton,
100000 for Shanghai, and 100 900 for Fuchan-Eere
delivered according to the terms of the convention by
the respective Chinese collectors of the customs OF
these ports to the agent selected by minister to re-
ceive the same.
Since that time the claims of citizens have been
adjusted by the board Of commissioners for that pur
pose under the Of March 1852 and their awards
which proved satisfactory the claimants have been
approved by our minister. In the aggregate they
to the of $49S 694 IS. The claimants
have already received large proportion Of the Sums
awarded to them out of tine fund provided and it is
confidently expected that the remainder will long be
entirely paid. After the awards shall have been salts
fed, there will remain a surplus of than $500 900
belong to the Chinese government, would not justice
require its appropriation to some benevolent object in
which the Chinese may be specially interested
Our minister to China, in obedience his instrue-
tons, has remained perfectly neutral in the war be-
tween Great Britain and France and the Chinese en-
pire although in cO.jnDctiOn with the Russian minis
ter he ready and willing had the opportunity
offered to employ his good Offices in restoring peace
between the parties. it is but act Of simple justice,
both to present minister and has predecessor, 10
state that they have proved fully eqna 10 the decate
trying and responsible positions In which they nave on
different occasions been placed
JApAN-The notifications of the treaty with Japan,
concluded at Yedo the 18th July, 1858, were
changed at Washington the 22d May last, and the
treaty itself was proclaimed ON the succeeding day.
There is good expect that under its protec
ton and Influence, trade and intercourse with that
distant and interesting people will rapidly increase.
The notifications Of the treaty exchanged with
unusual soemnity. For this purpose the Tycoon had
accredited three of his most distinguished subjects as