The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-12-13

vi d" III 1HOh IA d VI dSu III bfllS COuuITy.
We can recognize no distinction be-
tween our native and naturalized citi-
zcns.
RUSSIA.
Between the great Empire of Russia
and the United States, the mutual friend
ship and regard which has so long ex-
listed, still continues to prevail, and, if
possible to increase. Indeed, our rela-
tons with that Empire are all that we
could desire.
Our relations with Spain are now Of
more complicated, though less dam
gerous character, than they have been
for many years. Our citizens have
long held, and continue to hold, numer-
Gus claims against the Spanish govern
ment. These have been ably urged for
series of years by our successive di-
plomatic representative at Madrid but
without obtaining redress. The Span
ish Government finally agreed to insti-
tute a joint commission for the adjust
ment of these claims, and on the fifth
day of March, 1860, concluded a
convention for that purpose with our
present Minister at Madrid. Under
this Convention, what have been de-
nominated the Cuban claims, amount
ing to $685. "a, in which more than
one hundred of our fellow citizens are
interested, were recognized, and the
Spanish Government agreed to pay one
hundred thousand dollars of this
amount within three months following
the exchange of ratifcations. The
payment Of the remaining S2S,635 54
was to wait the decision of the COM
missioners for or against the Amistad
claim, but in any event, the balance
was to be paid to the claimants, either
by Spain or the United States. Those
terms, / have every reason to know,
are highly satisfactory to the holders of
the Cuban Claims. Indeed, they have
made formal offer, authorizing the
State Department to settle their claims,
and to deduct the amount of the Amis-
tad claim from the sums which they
are entitled to receive from Spain. This
offer, of course, cannot be. accepted.
All other claims of citizens of the Uni
ted States against Spain, or of subjects
of the Queen of Spain against the
United States, including the Amisted
claim, were by this Convention referred
to Board of Commissioners in the
usual form. Neither the validity of
the Amisted claim, nor any other
claim against either party, with sin
gle exception of the Cuban claims, was
recognized by the Convention. Indeed,
the Spanish Government did not insist
that the validity of the Amisted claim,
should be thus recognized; notwith-
standing its payment has been recon-
mended to Congress by two of my pre-
decessors, as we'll as by myself, and an
appropriation for that purpose had
passed the Senate of the United States.
They were content that it should be sub
mitted to the Board for examination
and decision like the other claims.
Both Governments were bound respec-
lively to pay the amounts awarded to
the several claimants, at such times
and places as may be fixed by and &C.
cording to the tenor of said awards, and
transmitted by this Convention, to the
Senate for their constitutional action.
On the Sd of May, 1860, and on the
27th of the succeeding June, they de-
termined that they would not advise and
consent to it's ratification. These pro
ceedings place our relations with Spain
in an awkward and embarrassing posi-
ton. 1t is more than probable that a
final adjustment of these claims will de.
volve upon my successor. / reiterate
the recommendation contained in my
annual message of Deoemcer, 1858, land
repeated in that of December, 1859, in
favor of the acquisition of Cuba from
Spain by fair purchase. / firmly be-
lieve that such an acquisition would
contribute essentially to the well-being
and prosperity of both countries, in all
future time, as well as prove the certain
means of Immediately abolishing the
African. slave-trade, throughout the
world. / would not repeat this recon-
mendation upon the present occasion,
if I believed that the transfer of Cuba
to the United States, upon conditions
highly favorable to Spain, could Justly
tarnish the national honor of the proud
and ancient Spanish monarchy. Surely
no person ever attributed to the first
. Napoleon a disregard of the national
honor Of France, for transferring Louis
lana to the United States for a fair
equivalent, both in money and CONNER
cial advantages.
nsF5 AUSTRIA, &C.
With the Empire of Austria and the
remaining continental powers of Eu
rope, including that of the Sultan, oul
relations continue to be Of the mos
E friendly character.
/ The friendly and peaceful policy
pursued by the Government of thu
/, United States towards the Empire O
China, has produced the most satisfac
, tory results. The treaty of TENTS
of the 18th of June, 1853, has beer
faithfully observed by the Chinese au
} thorities. The Convention of the Stl
of November, 1868, supplementary t.
) this treaty for the adjustment and sat
J isfaction of the claims of our citizen.
! in China, referred to in my last annua
message, has already been carried into
effect, so far as this was practiced.
t Under this convention, the sum O
sa0 OO0 foolc ouuo1 fo obout aEO0 o0f