Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-12-06
FREMONT, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1850.

\ thought not TO be doubted that such An
appeal to the arbitrament established byo the
constitution itself would be received with
favor BY all the States OF the eontederacy -
In any eVent1t ought 10 be tried In a spirit
OF conciliation before any OF these States
shall separate themselves from the Union.
When entered upon the duties of the
| PRESIDENTIAL office, the aspect Of neither our
foreign nor our domestic affairs was st ali
satisfactory; We were involved in danger
Gus complications with several nations. and
Two OF our Territories were in a state of frevo-
luton against the government A restora
tion of the African slave trade had numerous
and powerful advocates. Unlawful military
expeditions were countenanced by many of
our citizens, and were suffered, ia defiance
of the efforts of the government, to escape
from our shores, for the purpose of making
war upon the unoffending people of neigh.
boring republics, with whom we were at
! peace. In addition TO these difficulties. we
experienced a revulsiol in monetary affairs.
soon after my advent 10 power, Of unex,
ampled severity and of ruinious eonseouen-
| ces TO all the great interests Of the country
When We take q retrospect of what was then
our condition, and contrast this with its ma
terlal prosperity at the time of the Presiden-
tial election, we have abundant reason to
return our grateful thanks to that nerciful
I
nation in all our past trials.
oUR FOREIGN RRLATIoNs--eREAr BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the
most friendly character. Since the com
mencement of my administration, the two
dangerous questions arising from the Clayton
and Bulwer treaty and from the right of
search claimed by the British government
have been amicably and honorably adjust
ed.
The discordant constructions of the CLAYTON
and Bulwer treaty between the two govern
ments, which, at different periods of the dis
ctssion, bore threatening aspect have re-
suited in final settlement entirely sstisfac-
tory TO this government. In my last message
l informed Congress that the British govern
ment had not then completed treaty arrange
ments with the republics of Honduras and
I Nicaragua, in pursuance of the understanding
between the two governments. It is never
theless confidently expected that this good
work will ere long be Accomplished This
confident expectation has since been fulfilled.
Her Britanic Majesty concluded atreaty with
Honduras on the 2sth Of November, 1859,
and with Nicaragua on the 29th of August,
1860, relinquishing the Mosquito protectorate.
Besides, by the formeE the Bay Islands are
recognized as part of the republic of Hon
! IL
tons of these treaties conform in every i'm
portant particular to the amendments adopted
! by the Senate of the United States to the
treaty concluded at London, on the 18th of
October, 1856, between the two governments.
1t will be recollected that this treaty was re-
jected by the British government because of
its objection to the just and important amend
ment of the Senate to the article relating TO
Kuatan and the other islands in the Bay of
Honduras
1t must be source of sincere satisfaction
to all CLASSES of oar fellow citizens, and es-
pecially those engaged in foreign commerce,
that the claim, on the part OF Great Britain,
forcibly to visit and search American nIer-
chant vessels on the high seas in time of
peace, has been abandoned. This was by
iar the most dangerous question to the peace
OF the two countries which has existed
since the War of 1872 Whilst il re-
manned open, they might at any moment
have been precipitated into a war. This
was rendered manifest by the exasperated
state of public feeling throughout our entire
country, produced by the, forcible search of
Alherican merchant vessels by British cruisers on
The coast of Cuba, in the spring of 1858 The
American people hailed with general acclaim the
9raers OF the Secretary of the Navy to our naval
force IN the Gulf of Mexico, 'to protect all yes.
selsof the United States on the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels OF war of any
S.r Ssref nation, ma These orders might have pro,
/ forces Of the two countries. This was most for
tunately prevented by an appeal to the Justice of
| Ireat Brltain and 10 the law of nations as ex-
pounded by her own eminent jurists M
The only question of any importance which
sun remains open Is the disputed title between
the two governments TO the island of San Juan
IN the vicinity of Washington Territory. AS
TINS question Is still under negotiation it is not
deemed advisable at the present moment to make
any other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit of the Prince OF Wales in n
PrNate character, to the people of this country,
mas proved TO be most auspicious event Inits
consequences it cannot fail TO increase the kin.
dred and friendly feelings which trust may ever
actuate the government and people of both coun.
lIles IN their political and social Intercourse with
each other. ,.r ..H ~
FRANCE.
\ With France our ancient and powerful ally.
our refatlons continue TO be of the most friendly
character decision has recently been made by
FEeneh Judicial tribunal, with the appreciation
| o. lhe imperial government, which cannot fail TO
roster ule sentiments of mutual regard that have
50 long existed between the two Countries I'm.
der the French law no person can serve in the
armies of France unless he be a French citizen.
! The law OF France recognizing the natural right
OF expatrfation, II follows as necessary conse-
! quence that Frenchman, by the fact of having
become citizen of the United States has chang,
ed his allegiance and has lost his native Character
he cannot therefore be compelled TO serve in the
French armies in case he should return to his
native country. These principles were aLnounc
| ed in 1859 by the French Ministers of War
ana IN Two late cases have been confirmed
Dy the french Judiciary. In these, two ma
tives Of France hive been discharged from
the French army because they had become American
minister 20 Francs, who has rendered good service
on this occasion Il do not think our French natu-
much annoyance on this subject" venture TO pre-
9S1 tat tne time Is not e distant when the other
lust policy which has done much honor 70 the en-
our n OF the Emperor In any event
as though hsy ks sF & R 9s IS Ss
country We can recognize no distinction between
our hstFe and naturalized citizens
RUSSIA. t 40 l .1r.,.
4. Between The great empire of Russia and the U, g.
e.pa Sti ana regard which has 90 long
increase, Indeed, our relations with that empire
are all that we could desire.
SPAIN
s,! our relations with Spain are nowOf more com
phcated though less dangerous character than they
have been Tor many years Our citizens have long
against the Spanish Government These had been
ably urged for series Of years by our sue
eessiye diplomatic representatives at Madrid,
but without obtaining redress. The Spanish
government finally agreed to institute Joint
commission for the adjustment of these
claims. and on the fifth day of March, 1860,
concluded convention for the purpose with
our present minister at Madrid. Under this
convention, what have been denominated
''the Cuban claims," amounting to $l2s, 1885
and 81 cents, in which more than one hun
dred Of our fellow citizens are interested,
were recognized, and the Spanish govern
ment agreed TO pay $1,000 Of this amount
within three months of the exchange ofrati-
heations." The payment of the remaining
$2S, ,035 81 was TO await the decision Of the
Commissioners for, or against, t'the Amstad
claim, "butin any event the balance was 10
be paid 10 the claimants, either by Spain or
the United States. These terms have every