The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06


ancient customs Of an empire dating back for
thousands of years, 80 FAR ~ this may DO con-
sistent with our own national honor. Tho
conduct Of our Minister on tho occasion has
received my entire appreciation.
In order TO carry out tho spirit Of this trea.
ty, and to give II full effect, Il became necss-
ssry to conclude two supplemental conven.
tions-the one Tor the adjustment and satis-
faction of the claims OF our citizens, and tho
other to fix the tanf on imports and exports,
and to regulate tho transit duties and trade
of our merchants with China. This duty
was satisfactorily performed BY our late Min.
lister. These conventions bear date at Shan
phae on the 9Th OF November, 1858. Hav-
ing been considered In the light OF binding
agreements subsidiary to the principal treaty,
and to be carried into execution without do
lay, they do not provide for any formal rati-
fca,ion or exchange Of rati6cations by tho
contracting parties. This was not deemed
necessary by the Chinese, who arc already
proceeding In good faith to satisfy the claims
Of our citizens, and, II 10 hoped, to carry out
the othen provisions of the convention. Stu
thought It was proper to submit them to
the Senate, by which they were ratified on
the Sd March, 1859. Tho ratified copies,
however, did not reach Shanghas until alter
the departure of our Minister to Pekin, end
these conventions could not, therefore, be ex.
changed at the same time with the principal
treaty. No doubt Is entertained that they
will be ratified and exchanged by the Chin.
csc government should this be thought advis.
able but, under the circumstances present-
ed, shall consider them binding engage.
ments rom their date on both parties, and
cause them TO be published rs such for tho
information and guidance Of our merchants
trading with the Chinese empire.
Relations eim Paraguay.
It affords me much satisfaction to inform
you that all our difficulties with the republic
of Paraguay have been satisfactorily adjust
ed. 1t happily did not become necessary to
employ the force for this purpose which Con-
gress had placed at my command, under their
Joint resolution Of I'd June. 1858. On the
contrary, the President Of that republic, In
friendly spirit, aeceded promptly to the just
and reasonable demands of the government
of the United States. Our commissioner ar
rived at Assumption, tho capital OF the re-
public, on the 25th of January. 1859. and left
Il on the 18th of February, having in three
weeks ably and successfully accomplished all
the objects Of his mission. The treaties
which he has concluded will be Immediately
submitted to the Senate.
In the view that the employment Of other
than peaceful means might become necessary
to obtain 'just satisfaction" from Paraguay,
q strong naval force was concentrated In tho
waters Of the La Plata to await contingencies,
whilst our commissioner asccnded the rivers
to Assumption. The Navy Department 10
entitled to great credit for tho promptness,
efficiency and economy with which this cx.
petition was fitted out and conducted. 1t
consisted of nineteen armed vessels great and
small, carrying 200 guns and 1900 men, all
under the command OF the veteran and GAL
liant Shubrick. The entire expenses OF tho
expedition have been betrayed out Of tho or
dinary appropriations for the naval service,
except the sum Of S2s9,Ooo. applied to the
purchase of seven steamers, constituting
part of 1t, under the authority OF the naval
appropriation act Of the I'd March last. 1t II
believed that these steamers were worth more
than thoir cost, and they are all now usefully
and actively employed in the naval service.
The appearance Of so large force. fitted
out in such prompt manner, In the far dis
tant waters of the La Plata, aud the admira.
in Il, have had q happy effect In favor Of our
Couuuy smoubhous oh shes 'e"oso Po''o"
Of the world.
Relations pith tie Continental Governments Of
Europe.
Our relations with the great empires OF
France, and Russia, as well m with oil other
Governments on the continent OF Europe, un-
less We may except that Of Spain, happily
continue to be of the most friendly character.
In my last annual message presented .
statement OF the unsatisfactory condition Of
our relations with Spain; and regret to say
that thi. has not materially improved. With
out special reference to other claims, even the
"Cuban Claims" the payment OF which has
been ably urged by our ministers, and in
which more than q hundred Of our citizens
are directly interested, remain unsatis6ed,
Notwithstanding both their justice and their
amount (Sl2S,635 64) had been recognized
and ascertained by the Spanish Government
itself.
The Amistad Case.
again recommend that an appropriation
be made "to be paid to the Spanish Govern
ment for the purpose Of distribution among
the claimants in the Amistad case" In COM
mon with two Of my predecessors, enter.
tain no doubt that this Is required by our
treaty with Spain Of the 9th October, 1895.
The failure TO discharge this obligation has
been employed by the cabinet Of Madrid as
a reason against the settlement Of our claims.
Aequi,itiOn Of Cuba.
/ need not repeat the arguments which
urged In my last annual message In favor OF
the acquisition Of Cuba by fair purchase. Ny
opinions on that measure remain unchanged.
l, therefore, again invite the serious attention
of Congress to this important subject. With
out a recognition of this policy on their part,
IL will bc almost impossible to institute ne.
gotiations with any reasonable prospect OF
success.
Relations ,cith Great Britain.
Until 4 recent period there was good rca.
son to believe that should be able to an
nounce to you on the present occasion that
our difficulties with Great Britain, arising out
of tho Clayton and Bulwer treaty. had been
finally adjusted in u manner alike honorable
and satisfactory TO both parties. From cau-
ses, however, which tho British Government
had not anticipated. they have not completed
the treaty arrangements with the Republics
Of Honduras and Nicaragua, In pursuance OF
the understanding between the two govern'
ments. 1t Is nevertheless. confidently ex'
pected that this good work will Gro long DO
accomplished.
Whilst indulging tho hope that no other
sub;ect remained which could disturb the
GOOD understanding between the two coun.
tries, the question arising out OF the adverse
claims Of the parties to the island OF San Ju.
m, under the Oregon treaty OF the 10Th Of
June, lsi6, suddenly assumed threatening
In order to prevent unfortunate :,
collisions on that remote frontier. tho late
of State. on the i7th July. iSSo'
addres,cd note to Mr. Champion, the bnt.
i,b Minister at Washington. communicaung
M -" .a,, of the instructions which hs