The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-14
VOLUME xI. NO. so.
r Contiuyed from first pace. I

deduct the amount Of the Amistad claim
from the sums which they are entitled to
receive from Spain. This offer, OF course,
cannot be accepted.
All other claims OF the citizens OF The
United States against Spain,or OF subjects
Of the Queen of Spain agains; the Unlleu
States, including the Amstad clalm'
were by this convention referred 10
board of commissioners in the usual loim.
Neither the validity Of the Amtstad claim
nor any other claim against either party,
with the single exception of the Cuban
claims, was recognized by the convention.
Indeed, the Spanish government did not
insist that the validity of the Amisiad
claim should be thus recognized, nolwith-
standing It's payment had been recon-
mended 10 Congress by two OF my pre-
decessors as well as myself, aud an APP
preparation for that purpose had passed
the Senate Of the United States. They
were content that it should be submitted
TO the board for examination and decision,
like the other claims. Both governments
were bound respectively to pay the
amounts awarded TO the several claimants
sat such times and places as may be
fixed by and according 10 the tenor of
said awards"
/ transmitted this convention 10 the
Senate for their constitutional action on The
Sd of May, 1860, and on tho 9Th OF the
succeeding June they determined that
they would not "advise and consent" TO
its ratification.
These proceedings place our relations
s.,;tb Gno,. -. vi npj hnr
RAISING position. Ii is more than probable
that the final adjustment of these claims
will devolve upon my successor.
reiterate the recommendation con-
tanned in my annual Message Of December
1853, aud repeated in that of 1859, in fa-
vor of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
by fair purchase. firmly believe that
such an acquisition would contribute es.
sentially to the well being and prosperity
Of both countries in all future time, as
well rs prove the certain means OF imme.
diately abolishing the African Slave trade
throughout the world. | would not re
peat this recommendation upon the pres
ent occasion, if l believed that the
transfer of Cuba TO the United States
upon conditions highly favorable 10 Spain
could justly tarnish the national honor o
the proud and ancient Spanish monarchy
Surely no person ever attributed TO the
first Napoleon a disregard Of the nationa
honor of France, for transferring Louisi
ana to tho United States for Il fair equiv
aleut both in money and commercial ad
vantage.
AUSTRIA, ETC.
With the Emperor Of Austria, and The
remaining Continental Powers OF Europe
including that Of the Sultan, our relation
continue 10 be Of the most friendly char
acter.
The friendly and peaceful policy pur
sued by the government Of tho Unite
States towards the empire OF China ha
produced the most satisfactory results
The treaty of Tieatsin of the 1 9th of June
1858. has been faithfully observed by ii
Chinese authorities. The convention
9Th November, 1858, supplementary
this act, for the adjustment and satl
faction of The claims Of our citizens Q
China, referred to in my last annual Me
sage, has been already carried into etiec
SO far as this was practicable.
Under this convention the sum Of 500
600 teais, equal to about $500 600, WI
stipulated to be paid in satisfaction Of Il
claims OF American citizens, out OF the on
fifth Of the receipts for tonnage, impo
and export duties on American vessels
the ports of Canton, Shanghac, and f
chan and it was "agreed that III
amount shall be in full liquidation of t
claims Of American citizens at the variol
ports to this date" Debenturo for I'll
amount, to wit: 100000 teals for Canto
100000 for Shanghae, and 100000 4
Fuchan-were delivered according TO Il
terms of the convention by the respect,
Chinese collectors Of the customs Of the
ports TO the agent selected by our mi
lister 10 receive the same.
Since that time the claims Of our citize
have been adjusted by tho Board OF Cor
missioners appointed for that purpo
under the act OF March 3. 1859, and thu
awards, which proved satisfactory to t
claimants, have been approved by o
Minister. In the aggregate they amou
10 the sum of S498, ,694.78. The clai
ants have large proportion OF the SUI
awarded to them out OF the fund provide
and it is confidently expected that the
mainder will ere long be entirely paid
After the awards shall have been satisf
there will remain surplus OF more Il
100000 at the disposition OF Consre
As this will in equity belong TO the G
nese government, would not justice
quire ist appropriation TO some benevol
OBJECT in which the Chinese may be
peoially. interested
Our Minister to China, in obedience
his instructions, has remained perIe'
neutral in the war between Great Brit
and France and the Chinese Enpi
although, in conjunction with the Russ
Minister, he has ever been ready /
willing. had the opportunity offered
employ his good Offices in restoring pc
between the parties. Ii is but an acl
justice, both to our present miaister I
his predecessor, 10 state they have pro
fully equal to the delicate, trying and
sponsible position in which they have
different occasions been placed.
JAPAN.
The ratihcations of tho treaty with Ja
concluded ut Yeddo on 25sh of July. /