Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-05

Virginia. In this he ably and oonclusvely defended
the resolutions OF the preceding legislature against
the structures Of several other State legislatures lhese
were mainly founded upon the protest oil inc virginia
legislature against the "Alien aud Sedton Acts, as
Upapabe and alarming infractons Of the Constitution
In pointing out the peaceful and constitutional remedies,
and he referred other which the States were
authorized to resort, on such occasions ne concudes
by saving that the legislatures OF the States might
have made direct representation TO Congress WIN
view TO obtain n resembling Of the two offensive acts,
or thew might have represented TO their respective Sc
majors in Congress their wish that twothlrds theIeoi
would propose an explanatory amendment to the Con-
',,,o1 or two-thrds Of themselves if such had been
their option might, by application to Congress- have
| obtained a convention for the same object.
This is the very course which earnestly recommend
in order TO obtain an Explanatory amendment oil e
Constitution on the subject of slavery. Tins might
originate with Congress the State legislatures as
| NAV be deemed most advisable TO obtain the OBJECT
The explanatory amendment might be confined TO me
final settlement OF the true construction oil the Cohst
| tuition on three special points;
J. An express recognition Of the right oil properly
in slaves in the States where it now exists, or may
/ hereafter exist. - -,
o The duty of protecting this right in all the COM
mon Territories throughout their territorial existence
and until they shall be admitted as States into the
Union, with or without slavery, their constitutions
may prescribe.
.. like recognition of the right of the master TO
|
another restored and delivered up" to him, and oil
the validity of the fugitiyesave law enacted for tins
purpose together with declaration that all Stale laws
mpairng or defeating this right are violations oil the
Constitution, and are consequently null and Vold'
1t may be objected that this construction oil the Con-
suon has already been settled by the Supreme Court
of the United States and what more ought to be re-
quired; The answer is, that very large proportion
of the people of the United States still contest he cor
rectness of this decision, and never Will cease from az
| IFS
lished by the people of the several States IN their
sovereign character. Such explanatory amendment
would it is believed, forever terminate The diversions
/ and restore peace and harmony among the Staies
II ought not to be doubted that such an appeal TO the
arbitrament established by the Constitution itself would
be received with favor by all the States OF the Conied
eracy In any event ought to be tried in spirit OF
Cancellation before any of these States shall separate
themselves from the Union
When | entered upon the duties of the presidential
Office the aspect neither of foreign nor domestic
affairs at all satisfactory. We were involved IN
dangerous complications with several nations, and two
of our Territories in state of revolution against
the Government restoration of the African slave
trade had numerous and powerful advocates. Unaw-
ful military expeditions were cOuntenanced by many oil
our citizens, aud suffered, in defiance OF the ell
forts of the Government TO escape from our Shores
for the purpose of making war upon the unoiending
people of eiyhboring republics with whom we were
at peace In addition to these and other dlhcultles
we experienced a reyusion in monetary affairs, soon
after my advent to power of unexamPled severity ana
of runous consequence 10 all the great interests oil the
country When we take retrospect OF what was then
our condition and contrast this with IFS material pros
pery at the time of the late presidential election we
have abundant to return grateful thanks to
that mercful Providence which has never forsaken US
as nation in all our past trials.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
GREAT BRITAIN
Our relations with Great Britain are Of the most
frisnd, character. Since the commencement of my adj
ministratiou, 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 aud honorably adjusted
The dscordant constructions of the Clayton and Bull
wer treaty between the two governments which, at d
ferent periods Of the discussion, bore threatening
aspect have resulted in na settlement entirely salts
fIrory to this government In my last annual message
informed Congress that the British government had not
then completed treaty arrangements with the republics
Of Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursuance OF the under
standing between the two governments. II Is neverthe
less confidently expected that this good work VIII ere
long be accomplished" This confident expectation has
since been fulfilled. Her Britannia Majesty concluded
treaty with Honduras on the 2Sh November, 1859 and
with Nicaragua on the 2Sh August 1860, renquishing
the Mosquito protectorate Besides by the former the
Bay Islands recognised az part oil the republic OF
Honduras It may be observed that the spuations OF
these treaties conform in important particular to
the amendments adopted by the Senate OF the United
Sites to the treaty concluded at London on the I'm
October 1856 between the two governments. IL will
Oe
government because Of its Oh ecOn TO the Just aud I'M
porant amendment OF the Senate to the article relating
to Ruaan and the other Islands n the Bay Of Honduras
It must be source Of sincere satisfaction to all classes
Of our feow-cidzeus and especially to those engaged in
foreign commerce. that the claim, the part Of Great
Britain forcbly TO visit and search American merchant
vessels or the high seas time Of peace, has been aban
doned This was by far the most dangerous question to
the peace of the countries which has existed since the
war of 1912. Whilst it remained open, they might at
-. iNaf info war
,g throughout our entire country produced by the for
chile search of American merchant vessels by British
cruisers on the Of Cuba in the spring OF 1853 The
American people hailed with general acclaim the orders
of the Secretary of the Navy naval force in the
Gulf of Mexico ITO protect all vessels OF the United States
on the high from search or detention by the vessels
of-war of any other nation. These orders might have
produced immediate collision between the naval forces
Of the two countries This most fortunately prevent
ed by appeal to the justice OF Great Britain and TO the
law of nations as eIpounded by her own most eminent
jurists.
The only question of any importance which still re-
mains open the disputed title between the two govern
to the island of San JUAN in the vicinity OF Wash
ington Territory. As this question is still under negoa-
ton it not deemed advisable at the present moment
to make any other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit OF the Prince Of Wales, in private
character the people of this country, has proved to
be suspicious event In It's consequences 1t can
not fail increase the kindred and kindly feelings which
trust may ever actuate tue government huu peOpe VI
both countries in their political and social intercourse
with each other
FRANCE.
With France ancient and powerful ally, our re-
atious continue be OF the most friendly character.
decision has recently been made by French judicial tr-
bunal with the appreciation Of the Imperial Government,
which cannot fail to foster the sentiments OF mutual re-
gard that have long existed between the two countries
Under the French law person serve in the armies
of France unless he be French citizen. The law of
France recognizing the natural right of expatriaton it
follows necessary consequence that Fenchman, by
the fact of having become citizen Of the United States
has changed his allegiance and has lost his native char
acer He cannot therefore, be compelled TO serve in
the French armies in case he should his native
country. These principles announced in 1882 by
the French Minister of War; and in two late cases have
been confirmed by the Preach Judiciary. In these, ewo
natives Of France have been discharged from the French
army because they had become American citizens To
employ the language OF our present minister to France,
who has rendered good service this occasion, do
not think French naturalized felowcitizens will
hereafter experience much annoyance this subject"
venture to predict that the not far distant when
the other continental powers will adopt the wise
| and Just policy which has done so much honor TO the
enlightened government Of the Emperor. In any event
our Government bound to protect the rights OF our
naturazed citizens everywhere to the extent
though they had drawn their first breath in this country
We can recognize distinction between our native and
naturllized citizens
Between the great empire Of Russia and the United
States the mutual friendship and regard which has so
long existed still continues TO prevail and possible TO
increase Indeed relations with tina. Empire all
| that We could desire.
| SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are Of a complica-
ted though less dangerous character than they have been
for many years. Our citizens have long held, aud