Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-12-15

governments anu people OF Doth countries
in their political and social intercourse with
each other.
FRANCE.
With France. our ancient and powerful
ally, our relations continue to be of the
most friendly character. A decision has
recently been made by a French judicial
tribunal, with the appreciation of the I'm
perial Government, which cannot fail to
foster the sentiments of mutual regard that
have so long existed between the two coun-
tries. Under the French law no person
can serve in the armies of France unless
he be French citizen. The law of France
recognizing the natural right of repatriation,
it follows as necessary consequen &C that
Freuchman, by the fact of having be.
come citizen of the United States, has
changed his allegiance and has lost his ma
tive character. He cannot, therefore,
be compelled to serve in the French armies
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 to
France, who has rendered good service on
this occasion. "I do not think our French
naturalized fellow. citizens will hereafter
experience much annoyance on this sub
ject." | venture to predict that the time
is not far distant when the other cont.
mental powers will adopt the same wise
and just policy which has done SO much
honor to the enlightened government of
the Emperor. In any event, our Govern
ment is bound to protect the rights of our
naturalized citizens everywhere to the
same extent as though they had drawn
their first breath in this country. We can
recognize no distinction between our native
and naturalized citizens.
RUSSIA.
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, if possible, to i'll
crease. Indeed our relations with that
Empire are all that we could desire.
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now of a
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 government. These had been
ably urged for series of years by our
successive diplomatic representatives at
Madrid. but without obtaining redress
The Spanish government finally agreed to
institute joint commission for the adjust.
ment of these claims, and on the 9Th day
of March, 1860, concluded convention
for this purpose with our present Minister
at Madrid. Under this convention, what
have been denominated 'the Cuban claims, ;
amounting to Sl2S, ,635 and "a cents, in
which more than one hundred of our fel-
low-citizens are interested were recognized
and the Spanish government agreed to pay
$780, 900 of this amount sswithin three
months following the exchange of ratifca-
tons" The payment of the remaining
S2S ,635 81 was to wait the decision of the
commissioners 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. These terms, 1 have
every reason to know, are highly satisfac-
tory to the holders of the Cuban claims
Indeed, they have made formal offer
authorising the State Department to settle
these claims, and to deduct the amount of
the Amistad claim from the sums which
they are entitled to receive from Spain
This offer, of course, cannot be accented.
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 "Amistad claim" were by
this convention referred to board of COM
missioners in the usual form. Neither,the
validity of the Amistad claim nor of apv
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 Amistad claim should
be thus recognized, Notwithstanding its
payment had been recommended to Con-
gress by two of my predecessors as well
as myself, and an appropriation for that
purpose had passed the Senate of the Uni
ted States. They were content that it
should be submitted to the board for ex.
animation and decision, like the other
claims. Both governments were bound
respectively to 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"
transmitted this convention to the Sen.
ate for their constitutional action on the
Sd May, 1860, and .on the 9th of the
succeeding June they determined that they
would "not advise and consent" to its rat.
ifcation.
These proceedings place our relations
with Spain in an awkward and embrrass-
ing position. 1t is more than probable
that the final adjustment of these claims
will devolve upon my successor.
reiterate the recommendation contain.
ed in my Annual Message of December,
1858, and repeated in that of 1859, in ia.
vor of the acquisition of Cuba from Spain
hv ar rurohaSa I frn,l,, bol:o,,a II