The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-12-13


the United States still contest the correctness
of this decision and never will cease from ag-
itation, and admit it's binding force until clear
ly established by the people of the several
States in their sovereign character Such au
explanatory amendment would it is believed,
forever terminate the existing dissentions, and
restore peace and harmony among the States.
it ought not to be doubted that such aP-
peal to the arbitrament established by the Con-
stitution itself would De receiued with favor by
all the States of the Confederacy. Ia any
event, it ought TO Ire tried in spirit Of con-
ciliation, before any one of these States shall
separate themselves from the Union.
FILLIBUsTERIS0, SC.
When | entered upon the duties of the Pres
idental ofhde, the aspect neither of our for
cign nor domestic affairs was at all satisfactory
We were involved i'll dangerous complications
with several nations, and two of terrific
ries were III a state of revolution against the
government. A restoration of the African
slave trade had numerous and powerful advo-
Gates; unlawful military expeditions were
countenanced by many of our citizens, and
were suffered in defiance of the efforts of the
government, to escape from shores foI the
purpose of making war upon the unoHending
citizens of neighboring republics, with whom
we were Mt peace. In addition to these and
OF her difficulties, we experienced a reyulsion
in monentary affairs, after my advent to
consequences to ali the great interests of the
country. When take retrospect IF what
was then our condition, and cantrast this with
its material prosperity atth time of the late
presidential election. we have abundant reason
to return our grateful thanks to that merciful
Providence who has never torSaken US rs
nation in all our past trials
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Great Britian.-Our relations with Great
Rr-ia of CT
The discOrdant constructions of the Clayton
and Bulwer treaty between the two Govern
pents, have resulted in a final settlement en-
tirely satisfactory to this government.
1t is source of sincere satisfaction to all
classes of our fellow citizens, especially
to them engaged in foreign commerce, that
the claim on tie part of Great Britain, forci-
bly, to visit and search American merchant
vessels, on the high seas has been alb lndoned.
The only question of any Importance which
still remains open to the disputed title be-
tween the two governments to the island of
San Juan. As this question is still under ne
gotiatiOu, it is not deemed advisable at the
present moment TO make any allusion to the
subject.
France.-.With France our relations contin-
to be Of the most friendly character. A
decision has recently been made by French |
judicial tribunal. with the appreciation of the
Imperial Government, which cannot fail to
foster the seutm ents of mutual regard that |
have so long existed between the two
tries. Under the French law no person |
serve in the armies of France unless he be a |
French citizen. The law of France recOg- !
nizing the natural right of expatriation. it !
follows a necessary consequence, that !
Frenchmau, by the fact of having become |
citizen of the United States has changed his |
allegiance, and has lost his native character.
He cannot therefore, be compelled to serve in !
the French armies in case he should return
to his native country.
In any event our government 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 distinction between our
native and naturalized citizens.
RUssid.-With Russia, Austria and the re-
naming continental powers of Europe, incu-
ding that of the Sultan, our relations cOntn-
tinue to be of the most friendly character,
Spdm.-Our relations with Spain are now !
of n 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 a bly, urged for
q series of years by our successive diplomatic
representatives at Madrid. but without obtain
ing redress. The Spanish Government final
the adjustment of these claims, and on the
9th day of March, 1860, concluded conven-
ton for that purpose with our present Minis
ter ut Madrid Under this Convention what
have been denOmiuated the Cuban Claims
am Junting to one hundred and twenty-eight
thousand six hundred and thirty-hve dollars
and fifty four cents, in which more than one
hundred of our fellow citizens are interested
were recognized. and the Spanish Government
agreed to pay one hundred thousand dollars
OF this amount with n three months following
the exchange of ratification. The paymentof
the remaining twenty-eight thousand six hun
dred and thrty-fve dollars and fifty four cents
was to await the decision of the Commissions
for or against the Amistad Claim, but in
any event the balance was to paid to the claim
ants either by Spain or the United States
These terms, l have every reason to know are
highly satisfactory TO the holders of Cuban
Claims Indeed they have made a formal
efier, au tLorizing the State Department TO
settle these Claims, and TO deduct the amount
Of the Anistad Claim from the sums which
they are entitled to receive from Spain. This
offer, of course, cannot be accepted. All 9th
er claims of citizens of the United States
against Spain of subjects of the Queen of
Spain against the subjects of the United States.
including the Amis:ad Claim, were by this
convention referred to Board of Commission.
ers in the usual form. Neither the validity
OF the Amlstad Claim, nor any other claim
against either party, with the single exception
OF the Cnban Claims, was recognized by the
convention.
Indeed the Spanish Government did not in
sist that the validity of the Amistad ella i'm I
should be thus recognized, notwithstanding
its payment had been recommended to Con-
gress by two of my predecessors as well as bv
u1CG IN r,rio a So 81