Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-14

y this decision, and never will cease from sg-
haton and admit iis binding force until clear
iy established by the people of the several
sls.es 10 their sovereign character. Such an
explanatory amendment wobld, it is believed,
forever termiuste The existing dissensions and
restore peace and harmony ana6ng the States.
II ought not 20 be doubted that suoa an APP
peal TO The arb itrament established by the
Constitution itself would be received with fa-
ror BY all the States Of the Coufederacy. In
any event it ought TO be tried in spirit Of
Cancellation before aDg Of those States shall
separate themselves from The Union.
When entered upon the duties of the Pre-
sidential fice, the aspect Of neither our for.
eign nor domestic fairs was as all satisfacto-
rv. We we're uvalred in dangerous complica-
tots With styersl Ratious, and TWO Of our Ter
ritores were in a state of revolution against
the Government.
restoration CT the Afritan slave trade had
numerous aad powerful advocates. Unlawful
military expeditions were couOtenaBced by
many ef our citizens, aud we're suffered, III de-
iauce ef the efforts Of the Government, to cs-
cape from cur shores, Tor .be purpose of ma
king war upon tie uroffs pjing people Of neigh
lcriug republics Ni;h whom We were at
peace.
In addition to these and other difficulties,
We t1l esieIe,d a reyulson iD monetary affairs,
seen ulter NY advent to power, OF uHexamPled
severity and Of fuinous consequences to all the
great iBieres Is of She country. When we take
retrospect 6f what was then our conditoE,
aud coHtrost this with It's material prosperity
al the time Of the lato Presidential election,
We have abundant reason to return our gFate-
ful thanks to that ueFeiful Providence which
has never fUrsaken US as nation 10 all oar
past trials.
CUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our reiations with Great Britain Of the
most friendly character. Since the commence
ment OF MY administrative, the fNo dangerous
questions, arising from the Clayton and Sui
wer treaty, aud from the right of search claim
ed by the British Government, have been am
iesbly aud honutably adjusted.
The discordant construction Of the Clayton
rid Bulwer treaty between the two govern
ruen,s, which at different periods of the discus
sion bore threatening aspect, have resulted
IL final settlement entirely satisfactory 10
this government. In n,y annual message
lufoim Congress- ihat the British government
had not then ''compleied treaty arrangements
With the republics Of Honduras and Nicaragua
in pursuance of the understanding between the
two governments Il is nevertheless conf
dcnlly expected that this good work will ere
long be accomplished. This confident expec-
taion has since been fulfilled. Her Britannia
Majesty concluded treaty With Honduras on
the 9th November, 1859, and with Nicara-
qua on the 2Sth August, 1860, reinquishing
rhe elosquiio rrotectorate Besides, by the
foialer, The Bay Islands are recognized part
Of the Republic Of Honduras. 1t may be OBJ
served that The siipula,ions of these treaties
conform iD every important particular to the
amendments adopted bg the Senate Of the
United States to the treaty concluded at Lon
don on the 18th Of October, 1856, between
tie two governments. Ii will be reeollected
that this treaty YVES rejected by the British
government because of its objection to the just
and important amendment OF the Senate to
lie article relating % Ruatsa and ;he other
islands in the Bay of Honduras.
IL hpst be source Gf sincere satisfaction
to oil classes of our fellow eis:zeus, aud espe-
eially 10 those engaged in foreign commerce,
that the claim on the part Of Great Britain,
lorcibly to visit aud search American merchant
vessels on the high seas in time Of peace, has
been abandoned. This was by tar the most
dangerous question to the peace Of lhe two
countries which has existed sioce the war of
l812. Whilst it remained open, they might
at uuy moment have been precipitated into a
war. This was rendered manifest by the ex.
aspeFated otate Of public feeling throughout
our entire eeuntry. produced by the forebe
search nf fs-araisarf H. h,,I
lsh cruisers on the coast of Caba, In the spring
Of 1888. The American peorle hailed with
general acclaim the orders OF The Secretary Of
the Navy to our naval force 10 the Gulf OF
fdex.co, ''to protect all vessels of the United
States On the high seas from search or deten.
tion by the vessels of war Of any other nation y
These orders might have produced an imme-
diale collision between the naval forces of the
two countries. This was most for tuuately pre-,
vented by an appeal 10 the i1slice Of Great
Britain and 10 the law of nations as expoRnded
by her own most eminent jurists.
fhe only question Of any Importance which
still remains open Is the disputed title between
the two seyeEBDenfs to the island Of San Juan
in the vicinity CT Washington Territorg As
this question is still under negotiation, It is not
detmcd advisable az The present moment to
4Dtke auy 0lhef Situs4oh t1 the SUBJECT
The recent visit Of the Prince OF Wales, In
p;iyate character, to ihe people of tais couutry
has proved to be most auspieious eVeDt. In
It's consequences, II cannot tail to increase the
kiudred aud kindly feelings y hieh trust may
ever ssIuate The government and people of
both countries in lheil political aud social in-
tercourse With each other.
FRANCE.
With France, cur ancieGt aud powerful ally,
our relations continue To be Of tue most friend
ly character. a decision has recently been
maae ty French jucici4i nabunal. with the
srlrobatitu VI the Ialperisl Goyernmeut,