Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-05

J
vests has passed. And while it has not
pleased the Almighty to bless us with a
return OF peace, we can but press on,
guided by the best light He gives us,
trusting that in His own good time and
wise way, all will be we'll.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The correspondence touching foreign
affairs, which has taken place during last
year is herewith submitted in virtual COM
pliance with request to that effect made
by the House of Representatives near the
close of the last session Of Congress.
If the conditions of our relations with
other nations is less gratifying than it has
usually been at former periods, it is GER
tainly more satisfactory than a nation so
unhappily distracted as we are might rea-
sonably have apprehended.
In the month of June last there we're
some grounds to expect that the maritime
powers, which at the beginning OF our
domestic difficulties so unwisely and I'M
necessarily, as we think. recognized the
insurgents as belligerent, would soob
recede from that position, which has only
proved less injurious to themselves than
to our own country; but the temporary
reverses which afterward befell the ma
tional arms, and which were exaggerated
by our own disloyal citizens abroad, have
hitherto delayed that act Of simple JUS
tice.
The civil war which has so radically
changed for the moment the occupation
and habits of the American people, has
necessarily disturbed the social condition,
and affected very deeply the prosperity,
of the nations with which we have car
ried on a commerce that has been steadily
increasing throughout a period of half a
century. II has at the same time excl
ted political ambitions and apprehensions
which have produced a profound agita-
ton throughout the civilized world.
In this unusual agitation we have for
borne taking part in any controversy be-
tween foreign states and between parties
or factions in such states. We have at
tempted no propsgandism and acknowl
edged no revolution, but have left to ev-
cry nation the exclusive conduct and
management of its own affairs. Our
struggle has been, Of course, contempla-
ted by foreign nations with reference less
to its own merits than to its supposed and
often exaggerated effects, and the conse,
quences resulting to those nations them
selves.
Nevertheless, complaint on the part Of
this government, even if it were just,
would certainly be unwise.
The treaty with Great Britain for the
suppression of the African slave trade
has been put into operation with good
prospect of complete success. 1t is an
occasion Of especial pleasure to acknowl-
edge that the execution of it on the part
of Her Majesty's Government has been
marked with jealous respect for the
authority of the United States and the
rights Of their moral and loyal citizens.
The Convention with Hanover for the
abolition of the Stadt dues has been car
red into full effect under the act of con-
gross for that purpose.
A blockade o! three thousand miles Of
sea coast could not be established and
vigorously enforced in a season of great
commercial activity like the present,
without committing occasional mistakes
and inhicting unintentional injuries upon
foreign nations and their sui cts. A
civil war occurring in country where
foreigners reside, and carrying on trade
under treaty stipulations, is necessarily
fruitful of complaints of the violation of
neutral rights. All such collisions tend
to excite misapprehensions, and possibly
to produce neutral recIamations between
nations which have "A common interest in
preserving peace and friendship. In
clear cases of these kinds have, so far
as possible, heard and redressed com.
plants which have been presented by
friendly powers. There is, however, a
large and augmenting number Of doubt
ful cases upon which the government is
unable to agree with governments whose
protection is demanded by the claimants
There are, moreover, many cases in
which the United States or their citizens
suffer wrongs from the naval or military
authorities of foreign nations which the
governments of those states are not at
once prepared to redress. l have pro
posed to some of the foreign nations thus
interested mutual conventions to ex.
change and adjust such complaints
proposition has been made especially to
Great Britain, to France, to Spain, and