The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-14
OFFICE IN HooPER's BRICK

ment did not insist that the validity of the
Amistad claim should be thus recognized.
notwithstanding its payment had been re-
commended TO Congress by two Of my pre-
decessors as well as by myself and an appro-
priation for that purpose had passed the Sem
ate OF the United States. They were con-
tent that II should be submitted to the board
for examination and decision, like the other
claims. Both governments were bound re-
spectively to pay the amounts awarded to
the several claimants Eat such times and
places as may be fixed by and according to
the tenor Of said awards"
Transmitted this convention to the Senate
for their constitutional action on the Sd OF
May, 1860. and on the 27th of the succeeding
June they determined that they would "not
advise and consent" to Its ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with
Spain in an awkward and embarrassing posi-.
ton. 1t is more than probable that the final
adjustment OF these claims will devolye upon
my successor.
reiterate the recommendation contained
in my annual Message OF December, 1858,
and repeated in that of 1859. in favor OF the
acquisition of Cuba from Spain by fair pur-
chase. firmly believe that such an acqui-
stion would contribute essentially to the
well.being and prosperity Of both countries
in all future time, as well as prove the GER
tain means of Immediately abolishing the AT.
rican slave trade throughout the world. i
would not repeat this recommendation upon
the present occasion, II l 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
"A ,sh .hx N
person ever attributed to the first Napoleon a
disregard Of the national honor Of France, Tor
transferring Louisiana to the United States
for a fair equivalent both in money and COM
mercial advantages.
AUSTRIA, ETC.
With the Emperor OF Austria, and the re-
naming commercial powers OF Europe, in
oluding that OF the Sultan. our relations con-
,inue to be of the most friendly character.
CHINA.
The friendly and peaceful policy pursued
by the Government OF the United States
towards the empire of China has produced
the most satisfactory results. The treaty OF
Tientsin. OF the 18th Of June, 1853, has been
faithfully observed by the Chinese authorities.
The convention of the Sth November, 1858,
supplementary to this net, for the adjustment
and satisfaction Of the claims OF our citizens
on China, referred to in my last annual Mes
sage, has been already carried into effect, so
far as this was practicable.
Under this convention, the sum OF 6O0,000
taels, equal to about 100000, was stipulated
to be paid in satisfaction OF the claims ot
American citizens, out OF the one.fith Of the
receipts Ter tonnage, import, and export du-
ties on American vessels at the ports Of Tanton
Shanghae, and Fuchan; and II was "agreed
that this amount shall be in iull liquidation
OF all claims of American citizens at the va.
rious ports TO this date" Debentures for
this amount, to wit 10000 taels for Cam
ton, 100000 for Shanghac, and 100000 for
Fuchan-were delivered according to the
terms of the convention, by the respective
Chinese collectors Of the customs at these 1
ports, to the agent selected by our Minister
rvvvi.~ ,ho same.
Since that time tho claims Of our citizens
have been adjusted by the Board of Com
mlssioners appointed for that purpose under
the act of March 3, 1859, and their
awards, which proved satisfactory to the
claimants. have been approved by our Minis
ter. In the aggregate they amount to the
sum of Si9S,69i Is. The claimants have
already received a large proportion of the
sums awarded to them out OF the fund pro-
vided, and il is confidently expected that the
ramainder will ere long be entirely paid.
After the awards shall have been satisfied,
there will remain surplus OF more than two
hundred thousand dollars at the disposition
of Congress. As this will, in equity, belong
to the Chinese Government, would not jus.
,ice require its appropriation to some benev-
olent object in which the Chinese may be
especially interestedi
Our Minister to China, in obedience to his
instructions, has remained perfectly neutral
in the war between Great Britain and France
and the Chinese Empire; although, In con-
junction with the Russian Minister. ho was
ever ready and willing. had the opportunity
offered, to employ his good offices in restor-
ing peace between the parties. II but an
act of simple justice, both TO our present
Minister and his predecessor, to state that
they have proved fully equal to the delicate,
trying and responsible positions in which
they have on different occasions been placed.
JAPAN.
The ratifcaiions of the treaty with Japan,
concluded at Yedo on the 10th Of July. 1858,
were exchanged at Washington the 22d May
last, and the treaty itself was proclaimed on
the succeeding day. There is good reason to
expect that, under its protection and influence,
our trade and intercourse with that distant
and interesting people will rapidly increase.
The ratifcations Of the treaty were ex-
changed with unusal solemnity. For this
purpose the Tycoon had accredited three of
his most distinguished subjects as ENJOYS ex-
traordinary and ministers plenipotentiary.
who were received and treated with marked
distinction and kindness both by rhe govern
ment and the people OF the United States.
There is every reason to believe that they
have returned to their native land entirely
satisfied with their visit, and inspired by the
most friendly feelings for our country. Let
US ardently hope, in the language OF the
treaty ITSELF that "there shall henceforward
be perpeturl peace and friendship between
the United States of America and his Majesty
the Tycoon Of Japan and his successors"
nlAzIL.
With the wise. conservative and liberal
government Of the empire of Brazil, our re-
lations continue to be Of the most amiable
character.
NEW GRANADA.
The exchange Of the ratifcstions OF the
convention with the republic ofNew Granada,
signed at Washington on the tenth of Sep.
tember. 1857. has been long delayed, from
accidental causes, for which neither party Is
censurable. These ra,ifcations were duly ex.
changed In this city on the ffth Of November
last. Thus has controversy been smicably
terminated which had become so serious at
the period Of my Inauguration, as to require
me. ON the i7th of April, 1857, to direct our
Minister to demand his passports and return
TO the United States.
Under this convention the government Of
New Granada has specially acknowledged it,
self to be resposible to our citizens "ior dana.
ges which wero caused by the riot ut Panama
ON the 18th OF April, 1885," These claims,
together with other claims Of our citizens
which had been long urged In vain. are TO.
ferred for adjustment to Board Of Comms-
sioners. submit aeopy Of the convention
TO Congress, and recommend the legislation