The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-12

retrospeci Of what was then our condition
and contrast this with material prosperity
at the time OF The late Presidential election,
we have abundant reason 10 teturn our grate
ini thanks 10 that mercifnl Providence
which has never forsakeu US as mali on m
all our past trials
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
GREAT BRrrAir
OR relations with Great Britain are ofthe
most iflendiy character. Since the com.
mencemeAt of my administration, the two
dangerous questions arising from the Clay
ton and Bniver treaty and from the right OF
search claimed by tie British Government,
have been anicably an honorably ad ;usted.
The dIscordaui constructions OF the Clay
ton 1id B1lyer treaty between the Two
governments which, at different periods of
the discussion, bore threatening aspect,
lave resulted ~ Il final settlement ehtirely
satisfactory tU This Government. In my last
annual message | informed Congress that
the British government haI not then com.
pieed treaty arrangements with the repub-
lics ot Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursu.
ance OF the understanding between the two
governments. 1t is nevertheless confidently
expected that this good work will ere long
be accomplished This confident expect.
auon has since been fulfilled Her Britain.
&c M'Iesiy concluded treaty with Honda.
ra~ on the 2sth November, 1850, and with
Nicaragua on the 28ih Auguest, 1860 relin-
qulsng the Mosquito proleclorate Besides
10y tne former, the Bay Islands are recon-
/ Hlzed IS part of the republic of Hondur az.
Il may be observed that the s,ipula,ions Of
these treaties conform in every important
I particular 10 the amendments adopted by
+ the Senate OF the Uuilei States 10 the treaty
concluded al London on the IL October.
1896: between the two governments. It
! witi ec reeoiiected TINT this treaty was re-
Iected by the British Government because
ni lis objection to the just and important
amendment Of the Senale TO the article
relating to Ruaian and the othe. islands in
the Bay of Honduras
IL must be source OF sincere satisfaction
10 all classes of our fellow citizens, and
especially 10 those engaged in foreign COM
merce, that The claim, on the part of Great
Britain, ioicibiy 10 visit and search Amer
ican merchant vessels on the high seas in
lime OF peace, has been abandoned. This
was hy Tar the most dangerous question 10
the peace OF the two countries which has
existed since The war of 1912. Whilst it
remained open, they might q, any moment
have been Precipliaied into war This
was rendered manifest by the exaspefaied
state OF P"biic feeling throughout our en-
tire country produced by the forcible search
OF American merchant vessels by British
cruisers on the coas; of Cuba. in the spring
of 1883 The American people hailed with
general acclaim the orders OF the secretary
OF the Navy to our naval force in The Gulf
ot Mexico 20 protect all vessels of the
United State, on the high seas from search
or detention by the vessels of-yyar of anr
other nation These orders might have
Produced an Immediate collision between
The naval forces Of the two countries. This
was most fortunately prevented by an ap-
pea 10 the Justice of Great Britain and 10
The law OF na'io is as eXponnded by her own
most eminent jurists.
The only question Of any importance
which still remains open i The disputed
le between the two governments to the
island OF San Juan, in the vicinity OF Wash
inGtou Territory. As this qDe-tion Is sill
under negotiation itis 10; deemed advisa-
ble at the present moment 10 make any
other ailusIon 10 the subject.
The recent visit of the Prince OF Wales,
in private character, 10 The people of this
country, has proved TO be most auspicious
event. la lis Consequences, it cannot fail
TO increase the kindred and kindly feelings
which trust may ever acIuae the govern
ment and people of both countries in their
political aud social intercourse with each
o.her.
With France, our ancient and powerful
ally. our relations continue TO be of The
most friendly character A decision has
recently been made by French judicial
tribunal, with the appreciation OF the lmpe-
rial Government, which cannot fail To foster
the sentiments of mutual regard that have
so long existed between the two countries
Under The French law no person can serve
ia the armies of France unless he be a
coguizng the natural riehl Of expalraiior,
, il follows rs = necessary consequence that
: i Frenchman, hy the fact of having become
Il citizen of ne Uni;ei States, has changed
his alle.iluce and has lost his native char
!, acier He cannot, therefore, be compelled
in serve in the French armies IN case no
: should re urn 10 his native country. These
. principles were announced IN 1882 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 teen DISCHARGED from the French
army because they had become American
} citizens To employ the language of our
present Minister to France VINO has rem
dere, good service on this occasion. Il do
, not Iaink our French naturallZed fellow
{ citizens viii hereafter experience much
: annoyance on ;his subject | venture to
r predict that The time is not far distant when
/ the other continental powers will adopt tho
: same wise and just policy which has done
! so much honor TO the enlightened govern
ment of the Emperor. In any event. our
Government is bound TO protect the rights
: OF our na,uralized citizens everywhere 10
me same extent as though they had drawn
their first breath IN this country. We can
recognize no distinction between our naIiTs o
/ aud nalaFalized citizens.
RCssis.
Between the great empire OF Russia and
the United States the mutual friendship AMI
regard which has so long existed still con-
tinues to prevail, and, !: possible, TO IN