Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-12-16

ceived from the Emperor that generous Welcome
which was to have been expected from his constant
friendship for the United States, and his weliknoWn
real in promoting the advancement OF knowledSe.
A hope is entertained that our conuerce WIZ % .ne
rich and popuous countries that bordor the Medi'
terranean Sea may be largely increased! Nothing
will be wanting, the part oil this government TO
extend the protection OF our nag over the enterprise
of our fellow -citizens We receive from the Powers
in that region assurance Of good will and Il is
worthy of note that Especial envoy has brought us
messages of coincidence on the death OF our late Chief
Magst fIom the Bey of Tunis, whose rule in
cudes the old doninions of Carthage on the African
coast.
Our domestic contest now happily ended, has left
some traces in relations with one, at least of the
great maratime Powers. The formal accordance Of
belligerent rights to the nsurgent States unpre
dentcd, and has not been justified by the issue. But
in the systems of neutrality pursued by the Powers
which made that concession, there was marked
difference. The materials OF war for the insurgent
States were furnished, ira great measure from the
workshops of Ureat Britain, aud British ships manned
by British subjects and prepared for receiving Brit
ish nrmamens, sailed FROM the ports of Great Britain
to make American commerce, under the
shelter of commission from the nsurgent states
These ships having escaped from British
ports, afterwards entered them in every part of
the world, to ref: and SO to renew their depreda-
tions. The consequences of this conduct were most
disastrous to the States then in rebellion, increasing
their desolation and misery by the prolongaticn of
civil contest 1t had, moreover, he effect to
great extent. to drive the American flag from the
sea- and to transfer much of our shipping and our
commerce to the very Power whose subjects had cree
ated the necessity for such change. These events
took place before was called to the administration
OF the Government. The sincere desire for peace
by which am animated led me to approve the pro.
pt sal, already made to submit the questions which
had thus arisen between the two countries to arbi-
traton.
These questions arc of such moment that
they must have commanded the attention of
the great powers, and are so interviewer with
the peace and interests of every one of them
as to have insured ar impartial decision.
regret to inform you that Great Britain de-
clined the arbitrament, but, on the other
hand, invitedns to the formation of joint
commission to'settle mutual claims between
the two countries, from which those for the
depredatons before mentioned should be
excluded. The proposition, in that very un-
satisfactory form, has been declined.
The United States did not present the
subject as an Impeachment of the good faith
of IA Power which was protesting the most
friendly dispositions, but AS involving ques
tions of public law. of which the settlement
is essential to the peace Of nations; and,
though pecuniary reparation to their injured
citizens would have followed incidentally on
n decision against Great Britain, such COM
pensation was not their primary object.
They hue higher motive, and it was in the
interests of nnoce and i,,s,icn IN establish i'm,
i"'e'ee.e y! PeuSe any, J"9'ioo " rn
| portant principles Oh ihterhatiohai law. lue
correspondence Will be placed before you.
The ground on which the British Minister
/ ,osts b;o ;rs,;6c,.;nn il suI,st,nt;,llv that
.s no 'r ~ -: I ~,
| the muhiGlpal Ia" vi nalioi', anu '"e W.
| mestlc interpretations OF that law, are the
! measure of its duty as q neutral; and feel
| hound I'm dncore INV oninion before the
,I ~ -! -. ~, 49,.
! Worlu, lnaC tLat Justilcatlou catiioI oe sus-
/ tanned before the tribunal OF nationals. AT
| the same time do not advise to any present
attemnt ot redress nv acts ofleglslation. Fer
-, :. . . ,,
! Tue iu'uie, iIiehushiP ost"ecn 'ne w" eou"
! tries must rest on the basis OF mutual justice.
| From the momcnt of the establishment of
| our froo Constitution tbo civilizrd world
! ,, ,,;- :; ,L
mas peeh con'o'seu ny renoiu'iohs III 'he
interests OF democracy or OF monarchy; but
through all those revolutions tue United
c,,,otSL - ,;I xl t,,Ir rof,,o1 20 Ia
| o'"''S ""'e "i'.,y "".i h'','
come prOpaSanulsts OF repuDllcanlsW. IL Is
the only government suited to our condition:
| hut We have nevcr souyht tn impose it. on
IL - 49,. - ;,,,,,, t,fIo,.ol ,Lo
otuei' auu we nave c"hsisVe"''y ono" 'ne
advice OF W ashlngton to recommend IL only
! of thr hlassinrF Du,iny all thc Intervening
| u;a a., ,Si;, of I'rn,,.,, ,,I,.or.. .,,I
P'',i '',' P''..s ", A" f"
ana OF the Inlted states mas, on tue "noic
/ been harmonious Twice, Indeed, rumOr;