The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
tCoScLuDED.l
Our Foreign Relations.
GREAT BRITAIN.

GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great britain are Of the
most friendly character. Since the COM
menceuient 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 amieably and honorsbly adjusted.
The discordant constructions OF the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty between the two gov
ernments, which, at different periods OF the
discussion, bore threatening aspect, have
resulted in final settlement entirely salts
factory TO this government. In my last an
nual message informed Congress that the
British Government had not then completed
treaty arrangements with the Republics OF
Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursuance OF the
understanding between the two governments.
IL is, nevertheless. confidently expected that
this good work will ere long be accomplish
cd" This confident expectation has since
then been fulfilled. Her Brittannic Majesty
concluded treaty with Honduras on the
2Sth November, 1859, and with Nicaragua
on the 2Sth August, 1860, relinquishing the
Mosquito protectorate. Besides, by the fol-
mer. the Bay Islands are recognized as part
of the Republic of Honduras. Ii may be OBJ
served that the stipulations Of these treaties
conform in every important particular to the
amendments adopted by the Senate Of the
United States to the treaty concluded at Lon
don on the l7th October, 1856, between the
two governments. IL will be recollected that
this treaty was rejected by the British gov
eminent, because OF its objection TO the just
aud important amendment OF the Senate to
the article relating to Ruatan and the other
islands in the bay of Honduras.
/, must be a source of sincere satisfaction
20 all classes OF our fellow citizens, and es-
pecially to those engaged in foreign com
merce. that the claim. on the part OF Great
Britain, iorcibly to visit and search American !
merchant vessels on the high seas in time OF
peace, has been abandoned. This was by far
the most dangerous question TO the peace OF
the two countries which has existed since
the war oi 1912, Whilst IL remained open,
they might Gt any moment have been preeip-
itated into war. This was rendered manl-
fest BY the exasperatcd state OF public feeling |
throughout our entire country, produced by
the iorcble search OF American merchant ves-
sels by British cruisers on the coast OF CUBA, |
in the spring of 1858. The American people |
hailed with general acclaim the orders OF the |
Secretary OF the Navy to our naval force IN
the Gulf OF Mexico, "Eo protect all vessels oil
the United States on TIE hlSn seas IRON |
search or detention by the vessels OF war OF |
any 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 appeal !
to the Justice of Great Britain, and to the
law OF nations as expounded by her own em-
inent jurists.
The only question OF any importance which |
still remains open is the disputed title be-
tween the two governments to the island of |
San Juan. in the vicinity of Washington !
Territory. A this question Is still under
negotiation, IL Is not deemed advisable 81 ths |
present moment to make any other allusion |
TO the subject.
The recent visit Of the Prince Of Wales, in
n private character, To the people OF this |
country, has proved to be a most auspieious
event. In its consequences it cannot fail to
increase the kindred aud kindly feelings |
which trust may ever actuate the govern
ment and people of both countries in their |
political and social intercourse with each
other.
FRANCE.
With France. our ancient and powerful
ally, our relations continue 10 be OF the most |
friendly character. A decision has recently |
been made by French judicial tribunal,
with the appreciation OF the Imperial Gov
crnment, which cannot fail TO foster the sem
timents of mutual regard that have so long |
existed between the two countries. Under
the French law no person can serve in the
armies OF France unless he Is French ciu-
zen, The law of France recognizing the
natural right of expa,riation, It follows as
necessary consequence that Frenchman, by
the tact of having become citizen OF the
United States, has changed his allegiance and
has lost his native character. lie cannotthere-
fore be compelled to serve in the French ar
mics in case he should return to his native
country. These principles were announced
in 1852 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 been discharged from the French
army because they had become American
citizens. To employ the language OF our
present Minister 10 Fr,nee, who has rendered
GOOD service on this occasion, "l do not think
our French naturalized fellow-ci,izens will
hereafter experience much annoyance on this
subject" l venture to predict that the time
is not far distant when the other Continental
Powers will adopt the same wise and just
policy which has done so much honor 10 the
enlightened government Of the Emperor. In
any event, our government Is bound TO pro-
tect the rights of our naturaliked citizens
everywhere, To the same extent as though
they had drawn their fret breath in this
country. We can recognize 10 distinction
between our native and naturalized citizens.
RUSSIA.
De,ween the great empire OF Russia and
the United States the mutual friendship and
regard which has so long existed still contin-
ues to prevail, aud, II possible, to increase
Indeed, our relations with that empire are all
that we could desire.
Our relations with Spain are now Of more
complicated though less dangerous character
than they have been for many years. Our
citizens have long held. and continue to hold.
numerous claims against the Spanish govern
ment. These had been ably urged Tor se-
ries of wears by our successive diplomatic
representatives at Madrid, but without OBJ
tanning redress. The Spanish government
finally agreed TO institute joint commission
for the adjustment OF these claims, and on
the 5ih day OF March, 1860, concluded con.
yen,ion for the purpose, with our Minister at
Madrid. Under this Convention, what have
been denominatcd "Cuban claims" amount
ing 10 Sl2s, ,635 and 5i sents, in which more
than one hundred Of our fellow-citixens are
interested, were recognized, and the Spanish
government agreed to pay 100000 of this
amount "within three months Of the ex-
change Of ra,fcations." The payment Of the
remaining S2s. 635 80 was to await the de-
ei,ion OF the Commissioners for. or against,
the .Amis,ad claim : but in any event the
balance was to be paid to the claimants,
either by Spain or the United States. These
terms have every reason to know. are high
ly satisfactory to the holders OF the Cuban
claims. Indeed, they have made . formal
offer authorizing the State department 10
settle these claims, and to deduct the amount
Of the Amistad claim from the sums which
i they are entiiled tn Ieceiye fIom Spain. This