Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-12-14

The condition of foreign affairs Is reason
obIv satisfactory. Mexico continues TO be
rbe theatre Of civil war. While our point
zeal relations with that country have under
zone no change we have at the same time
Strictly maintained neutrality between the
Lalligerents At the request OF the States
-,f Costa Rica and Nicaragua competent
engineer has been authorized to make sur
yey ef the river San Juan, and the port OF
San Juan. It Is a source OF much satlSIac-
rion that the difficulties which, Tor mo-
ment excited some political apprehenslons
and aused aclOsing OF the mter-oceanlc tran
sitroute have been namIcablyadjusted,a and thaI
there Is good prospect that the route viii
soon be reopeued with an increase OF capa-
bility and adoption. We would not eXager-
ate either the commercial or political IN
portance of that great Improvement 1t
would be doing injustice TO an important
South American State not 10 acknowledge
the directneSs, iraRknesS and cordIalty with
which the United States of Columbia taYe
entered into intimate relations with this
government. \ claim convention has been
constituted TO complete tie unfinished work
of the one which closed its sessions III 1861.
The new liberal constitution Of eneZuela
having gone into effect with the universal
acuuiescence OF the people, the government
under it has been recognized ami diplomat
ic Intercourse with il has been opened III
cordial and friendly spirit The long deter-
red Aux Island claim has been satisfactorily
paid and discharged. Mutual payments
have been made Of the claims awarded by
the Joint Commission for the settlements ot
claims between the United states and Peru.
An earnest and cordial friendship continues
10 exist between the two countries and such
efforts as were III MY power have been used
10 remove lnisunlstan ling and avert L
threatened war between Peru and SPAN.
Oar relations are Of thc most friendly na-
ture with Chill, the Argentine Republic,
Bolivar, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador
and Hayti. During the past year no dltTer-
,nces Of any kind have arisen with any or
these republics. and ON the other hand their
sympathies with the United States are CO.
stantly expressed The claims arising from
the seizure of the cargo OF the brig Mace
DOMAIN, in 1861. has been paid in tull by the
government ot' Chill Civil war continues
in the Spanish coast of San Domingo, appa-
Tently wi;hoU; any prospect OF an carly close.
Official correspondence has been opened
with Libera, and it gives Us = pleasing view
of social and and political progress III that
Republic Ii IS expected 10 derive new vig
or from American influence, improved by
the rapid Disappearance Of slavery III the l.
uited States | solicit your uthUrlty TO
furnish the Republic gunboat at moder-
ate cost Ia he reimbursed GO the United
States by installmeuts Such 4 vessel IS
needed orthc saietyo Of that State agaiusLthe
native African race, and III I4iberi;n hands, 1t
would he more affective IN aIrestlng the Al
rican Slave Trade than a squadron IN our
own hands. The possession OF the least
organized naval force would stimulate a gen
erous ambition on the part Of the Republic,
I.l-z ! IL aI,.,ll
fest by furnishing 1t would win fOrbemapce
and favor towards the colonies from all the
c.vaIZed nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way Of l5eh-
ring Straits, aud AsiatIc Russia, which was
sanctioned by Congress at the last session,
has been undertaken, under very favorable
circumstances. by an ASSOCIATION OF Alneil-
citizens, with the cordial good viii and sup
port OF this Government, aS well as those OF
Great Britain and Russia. Assurances
have been received from most Of the South
American States ct their appreciation OF the
enterprise, and their readiness TO cooperate
i'll constructing lines tributary to that world
encrciiHg communications. learn with
much satisfaction, that the noble design IF
q Geographic communication between the
Eastern coast OF America and Great Britain
has been renewed with full e1 1pectation OF
It's early accomplishment. Thus 1t Is hoped
that, with the return OF domestic peace,
the country will be able to resume, with en-
ergy and advantage, her former high ca
Teer Of commerce and civilization.
Our very popular and estlmable represen-
tatiye in Egypt died IN April last An un-
pleasant alteration which arose between
the temporary incumbent Of the office and
the Government of Pasha, resulted in sus-
pension of intercourse. The error was
promptly corrected on the arrival Of the sue
ceSSor in the Consulate, and our relations
with Egypt as well as the relations with the
Barbaiy powers are entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion which has SO long been flag
rant in China has at last been suppressed
with the cooperating good offices OF this
Government and the other commercial
States. The Judicial Consular establish
ment has become very difficult and onerous,
and 1t will need Legislation TO adapt 1t to
the extension of our commerce and to the
more intimate intercourse which has been
Instituted with the government and people
OF that vast empire. China seems to be ac-
ceePtlng with hearty good will the conyen-
uonaI laws which regulate commercial and
social Intercourse among the western ma
IONS. Owing 10 the peculiar situation OF
Japan and the anomalous form OF Its gov
eminent the action Of that Empire in per-
forming treaty stipulations Is lnconstant and
Saprlclous Nevertheless good progress has
Deen affected by the Western powers, mo-
wing with enlightened concert. Our own
pecunlary claims have been allowed or put In
"urss Of settlement, and the inland sea