The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-12


500 500 of this amount within three
months following the exchange of ratifica.
tions.' The payment of the remaining
S25, ,635 81 was to await the decision. OF tbs
commissioners for or against the Amlstead
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 10 know, are highly satisiac-
tory to the holders of the Cuban claims
indeed, they have made a formal o ffer au-
thorizing the State Department to settle
these claims, and 10 deduct the amount OF
the Amisead 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 United
States against Spain, or of subjects of The
Queen of Spain against the United States.
Including the sAmistead claim, were by
this convention referred 10 board of com
missioners in the usual form. Neither the
validity OF the Amistead claim nor OF 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 Amisiead claim should be
thus recognized, notwithstanding It's pay
meut mad been recommended 10 Congress
by two of my predecessors as vel! as by
myself, and an appropriation for that Pur
pose had passed the Senae Of the United
States. They were content that it should
be submitted to the board for examinat ion
and decision, like the other claims. Both
governments were bound respectively 10
pay the amounts awarded to the several
claimants at such times aud places as may
be fixed BY and according TO the tenor of
said awards
Iiransmilied this convention 10 the Senate
for their constitutional action on the Sd
May, 1860, and on The 27Ih of the succeed
ing June they determined that they would
mot advise ahd consent 10 its ratification
These proceedings place our relations
with Spain in an awkward and embarrasS-
ing position. Il is more than probable that
the final adjustment of these claims will de-
volve upon my successor.
Ireifera.e the recommendation contained
in my Annual Message of December, 1858,
and repeated in that of 1859, in tavor of the
acquisition of Cuba from Spain by fair pur
chase. firmly believe that such an acqui
siiion would contribute essentially 10 the
well being aud prosperity OF both countries
in all future lime, as well as prove the
certain means of Immediately abolishiu9
the African slave trade throughout the
world. / would not repeat this recommen
daiion upon The present occasion, II be-
lieved that the transfer of Cuba 10 the Uni
ted Siaies upon conditions highly BILE
TO Spain, could justly tarnish the national
honor OF The proud and ancient Spanish
Monarchy. Surely no person ever attribu-
ted 10 the first Napoleon disregard of the
national honor OF France, for transferring
Louisiana 10 the United States for fair
equivalent both in money and commercial
advantages
AUSTRIA, ETC
With the Emper of Austria, and the re-
mainins continental powers of Europe, in
GLIDING thar of The SultaR, our relations con-
tinue 10 be of the most friendly character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pur
sued by The Government of the UuIted
Safes towards the empire of China, has
produced The most satisfactory results =
The treaty of TIenisin, of the 18th OF June,
1858, has been faithfully observed by the
Chinese authorities. The Convention ot
the sih November, 1858, supplement airy 10
this treaty, for the adjustment and salisac-
ton of The claims of our citizens OH CHINA,
referred 10 IN my last Annual Message. has
been already carried into effect, SO tar as
this was practicable.
Under this convention the sum of 500 900
taels, eqnsl 20 about 100000, was siIpula-
ted 10 be paid in satisfaction of the claims
the receipts for tonnage import, and export
duties on American vessels al the port OF
Canton, Shanghae and Fuchan; and II was
1.agreed that this amount shall be IN full
liuuidaiisn of all claims of American ciii
zens at the various ports 10 this daie =
Debentures for ihss amount to wii:-300, 900
xaels for Canton, 400, 600 for Shanghae, and
Ou,OOO for Fuchau-were delivered accor-
ding 10 the terms OF the convention by the
respective Chinese collectors or the customs
OF these ports 10 the agent selected oy our
minister 10 receive the same.
Since that time the claims of our citizens
lave been adjusted by the board OF com
missioners appointed for that purpose under
the acl of March 3, 1889, aud their awards,
which proved satisfactory 10 the claimants,
have been approved by our minister. In
the aggregate they amount TO the sum oil
S49s. .694,7S. The claimants havo already
received q large proportion OF The sums
awarded 10 Them out OF The t1nd provided,
and j; Is confidently expected that the re-
mainder will ere long be entirely paid
Alter the awards shall have been satisfied,
there will remain u surplus OF more than
$500 900 al the disposition oil Congress
As this will in equity belong 10 the Chinese
government, would rot justice require lis
appropriation 10 some benevolent object IN
which the Chinese may be specially inter
ested
Our minister to China, in obedience 10
his instructions, has remained perfectly
neutral in the war between Great Britain
and France and the Chinese empire; al
though, in conjunction with the Russian
minister, be was ever ready aud wiling
had the opportunity offered, 10 employ his
good Offices in restoring peace between the
parties. Il is but an act OF simple justice,
both 10 our present minister aud his prede
cessor, 10 state, that they have proved fully
equal 10 the delicate, trying, and response
bic positions in which they have on differ
ens occasions been placed.
JAPAs.
The ra,ificaiions of the treaty with Japan