The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-14
WHOLE NO., $40.

defiance OF the efforts of tho government,
to escape from our shores, for tho purpose
Of making war upon the unoffending people
Of neighboring republics with whom we
we're at peace. In addition TO these difficult
tics, VIC experienced reyulsion in moneta.
ry atfaire, soon after my advent to power,
not only Of uncxampled severity but also OF
ruinous consequences to the country. When
wO teko retrospect Of what was then QUE
condition, aud contrast this with lie materi-
al prosperity at the timo Of the Presidential
election, We have abundant reason to return
our grateful thanks to that mercful Provi-
dencc which has never forsaken US as na-
tion in all our past trials.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIoYs-GRrAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain are OF the most
friendly character Since the commencement Of
my administration, two dangerous questions
eris'ng from the Clayton and Bulwer treaty and
rom the right OF search claimed by the British
Government have boon amicably and honorably
adjusted
The discordant constructions the Clayton and
Bulwer treniy between the two governments,
which, at different periods of the discussion,
bore threatening aspect, have resulted in FINAL
settlement entirely satisfactory to this govern.
ment. In my last message Informed Congress
that the British government had not then ''com.
pleted treaty arrangements with the Republics OF
Honduras and Nicaragua. in pursuance Of the un-
IL is nevertheless confidently expected that this
good work will ere long be accomplshed"--
This confident expectation has since been fulfilled,
Her Brtanic Majesty concluded treaty with
Honduras on the 2Sth Of November, 1859,
and with Nicaragua on the 2Sth Of August,
1860, relinquishing the Mosquito protectorate.
Besides, by the former, the Bay Islands are
recognized Us a part Of the republic OF Hon.
dluras. 1t may be observed that the stipula.
tons Of these treaties conform in every important
particular to the amendments adopted by The Sen.
ate Of the United States to the treaty concluded
at London, on the l7th Of October, 1856, between
the two governments. II will be recollected that
this treaty was rejected by the British govern.
ment because Of lis objection to the just and i'm.
portant amendment Of the Senate to the article ro.
luting To Ruatan and the other islands in the Bay
OF Honduras.
It must be source Of sincere satisfaction 10 oil
classes OF our fellow-citiZens, and especially those
engaged in foreign commerce, that the claim on
the part OF Great Britain, forcibly TO visit and
search American merchant vessels on the high
seas in time OF peace, has been abandoned. This
was by far the most dangerous question TO the
peace Of the two countries which has existed since
the War of 1912, Whilst it remained open, they
might ui any moment have been precipitnted into
war. This was rendered manifest by the exas-
perael state of public feeling throughout our
entire country, produced by The torcible search OF
American merchant vessels by British cruisers on
he coast of Cuba, in the spring OF 1858. Tho
American people hailed with general acclaim the
orders OF the Secretary OF the Navy 10 our naval
force in the Gulf Of Mexico, ito protect nll ves-
sells Of the United Stuies on the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels OF war Of any
other nation" These orders might have pro.
duced an immediate collision between the naval
forces OF the two governments. This was mos,
fortunately prevented byan appeal 10 Great Brit
uin and 10 the law of nations as expouuded by her
own eminent jurists.
| The only question Of any importance which re.
mains still open is the disputed title between the
two governments 10 the island OF San Juan, in the
! vicinity of Washington Territory As this ques.
/ ton is still under negotiation IL is not deemed adj
visable Of the present moment, 10 make any other
al usion 10 the subject.
| TIE recent visit OF the Prince OF Wales, in a
private character, to the people OF this country,
/ has proved to be most nuspicious event. In its
consequences il cannot fail TO increase the kin.
dred and friendly feelings which trust may ever
nciuaie the government and people of both coun.
tries in their political and social intercourse With
| each other.
FRANCE.
With France, our ancient ard powerful
ally, our relations continue to be of the
most friendly character. A decision has
| recently beeD made by q French judicial
tribunal, with the appreciation of tho impo-
! ,ial government. which cannot fail to foster
the sentiments of mutual regard that havo
so long existed between the two countriea.
Under tho French law no person can servo
in tho armies OF France unless he be q
French citizen. The law of Franco recog-
nizng the natural right of expatriation, it
follows as a necessary consequence that o
Frenchman, by the fact of having become
citizen of the United States, has changed
his allegiance and has lost his native charao-
ter. He cannot therefore, be compelled to
serve in the French armies in case he should
return to bis native country. These princi-
pies were announced in 1852 by the French
Ministers Of War. and in two late cases have
been confirmed by the French judiciary. In
| these, Two natives of France have been die.
charged from the French army because they
had become American citizens. To employ
! tho language of our present Minister to
! France. who has rendered good service on
| this occasion, ~ do not think our French
naturaliZcd fellow citizens will hereafter ex-
! perienco much annoyance on this subject
| venture TO predict that the time is not far
distant whom the other Continental powers
will adopt the same wise and just policy
which has done so much honor to the en-
! lightened government of the Emperor. In
any event our government is bound to pro-
tect 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 naturalizod citizens.
RUSSIA.
Between tho great empire of Russia and
the u. S. the mutual friendship and regard
which has so long existed still continues to
prevail. and, if possible, to increase. lndooa
our relations with that empire are ell that
VIC could desire. r
SPAIN.
Our relations with Spain are now Of
mole complicated though less dangerous
character than they have been for many
years. Our citizens have long held, and
continue 10 hold, numerous claims against
the Spanish Government. These had
been ably urged for a series of years by
our successive diplomatic representatives
at Madrid, but without obtaining redress.
The Spanish government finally agreed to
institute a joint commission for the ADJUST
ment OF those claims, and on The fifth day
of March, 1860, concluded a convention
for the purpose with our present minister
at Madrid. Under this convention, what
have been denominated "the Cuban
claims" amounting to Sl26,635 and 81
cents, in which more than one hundred
OF our fellow citizens are interested, were
recognized, and the Spanish governments
agreed to pay 100000 of this amount