The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-04

final settlement the true construction OF Tho r!,s,
ton on three special points
l. An express recognition of the right Of nronartv =,
slaves in the States where it now exists or NAV hereafter
exist. ' '
The duty of protecting this right in all the common
Territories throughout their territorial existence and
until they shall be admitted States into the Union
with or without slavery their constitutions NAV pre
scribe amy P0
like recognition of the right of the master to have
his slave who has escaped from State to another re-
,ofed ana delivered up to him, and of the validity of
e law enacted for this purpose together
with declaration that all State laws npairing or de-
eatng this right violations of the Constitution and
are consequently null and void
IL may be objected thet this construction of the Con-
sttion has already been settled by the Supreme Cour
of the United States and what more ought to be reourd
Inc answer h. that very large proportion of the people
OF the United States still contest the correctness of this
decision and never will from agitation and admit
Its binding force until clearly established by the neonla
OF the several States in their sovereign character S
an explanatory amendment would it is believed forever
terminate the existing discussions and restore peace and
harmony among the States
1t ought not to be doubted that snch an annooI t h
arbitramen established by the Constitution itself would
be received with favor by all the States of the Confer
acy In any event it ought to be tried in spirit of
Cancellation before any Of these States shall separate them
selves from the Union.
When | entered upon the duties Of tho rros;5o, III,
ONCE, the aspect neither of foreign nor domestic Of
aifs was at all satisfactory. We we've involved in dan
serous complications with several nations and two of
our Territories were in state of revolution against the
Government. restoration of the African slave trade
had numerous and powerful advocates Unlawful mill
tary expeditions countenanced by many of orr citi
zens and suffered in defiance of the efforts of the
government 10 escape from our Shores for the purpose
N making war upon the unoifendng people of neighbor-
ing republics with whom at peace In addition
70 these aud other difficulties experienced reyusiop
in monetary Affairs after nv advent to nower of
severity ana OF ruinous consequences to all
.ne great interests OF the country When take re-
prospect Oh what then condition and contrast ts
with It's material prosperity at the time of the late pres
dental election we have abundant reason to return orr
grateful thanks to that mercul Providence which has
never forsaken us as nation in all our past trials
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly
Character. Since the commencement of NV adn,in;stra
ton the two dangerous questions, arising from the Clay
ton and ulwer treaty and from the right of search claim
Cd by the British government, have been amicably and
honorably adjusted
The dscordant constructions of the CLAYTON and BuIwer
treaty between the two governments which at different
PERIODS OF the discussion bore threatening asrct have
resulted In final settlement entirely satisfactory to ths
Government In my last annual message informed Con-
gress that the British government had not then omne
ted treaty arrangements with the republics of Honduras
aho IN pursuance OF the understanding between
the TWO governments 1t is nevertheless confidently ex
ected thai this good work will long be ACCOMPLISHED
ms confident expectation has since been fulfilled Her
HltannIe Majesty concluded a treaty with Honduras
on the 2oth November 1859 and with Nicaragua on the
18th August 1860 relnquihing the Mosquito protcto
rate Besides, by the former the Bay Islands are recop
nsed aS part of the republic of Honduras 1t NAV he
observed that the spuatons of these treaties conform In
inpont particular to the amendments adopted by
the Senate of the United States TO the treaty concluded at
London ON the 18th October 1856 between the two pov
ernments 1t will be reeollected that this treaty was m
Isu by the british government because of its objection
W the just ana important amendment of the Senate to the
article relating to Ruatan and the other islands in the
Bay of Honduras " wv
1t must lie OF sincere satisfaction to all casses
OF our fellowdzens and especially to those engaged in
ioreign commerce. that the claim, the part of Great
Britain, orcbly to visit and search American merchant
vessels on the high in time of peace has been aban
dohed This was by far the most dangerous a'o4:~
the peace of the two countries which existed since the
of 1872 Whilst - renamed open, they might at
any have been precipitted into a war This
was rendered manifest by the espeated state of public
feeling throughout entire country produced by the
forcble search of American merchant vessels by British
on the coast OF Cuba in the spring of 1858 The
American people hailed with general acclaim the orders
the Secretary OF the Navy our naval force in the
Cui on Mexico ito protect all vessels of the United
States on the high from search or detention bv the
war of any other nation These orders might
have produced an immediate collision between the nay
forces of the two countries This was most fortunatv
prevented by appeal to the justice of Great Britain and
10 the law Oh nations as expounded by her own most emi
nent jurists.
The only question of any importance which stu re-
mains open is the disputed title between the two gov
eInmens to the island of San Juan in the vicinity of
washington Territory AS this question is still under
negotiation it Is not deemed advisable at the present mo-
ment to make any other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit OF the Prince of Wales in private
character to the people of this country has proved to
most suspicious event In its consequences it cannot
ia to increase the kindred and kindly feelings which
trust may ever actuate the government and people of
in tla1,
with each other.
With France ancient and powerful ailv our rela
tons continue to be of the most friendly character
decision has recently been made by French judicial fri
buna with the appreciation OF the Imperial Government
winch cannot fail to foster the sentiments of mutual re-
ard mat have so long existed between the two countries
Under the French law no person can serve in the armies
81 france unless he be French citizen The law of
rance recognising the natural right of expatration it
loo"s Us necessary consequence that Frenchman by
the lact OF having become citizen of the United States
has changed his allegiance and has lost his native char
acter he cannot therefore, be compelled to serve in
the French armies in he should return to his native
country. These principles announced in 1852 by
The French Minister of War; and in two late cases bo
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
VINO has rendered good service this occasion ~ do
not think our French naturalized fellowctizen will
hereafter experience much annoyance on this subject
venture to predict that the time not far distant when
the other continental powers will adopt the same wise
Ind Just policy which has done 80 much honor to the
enlightened government OF the Emperor In any event
our Government is bound to protect the rights of our
1aturaized citizens everywhere to the same extent a,
hough they had drawn their first breath in this country
can recognise no distinction between our native and
laturalized citizens. ''AN
RUSSIA.
Between the great Miro of Rncsi, orJ A.
states the mutual friendship and regard which has SO long
xisted still continues to PREVAIL and if possible to in
rease indeed our relations with that Empire are all
hat we could desire.