Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-12-07

ment of the State in which the plan was ma
tured, that the proceeding will meet neither Its
encouragement nor approval. 1t IS question
worthy of your consideration whether our laws
upon this subject are adequate to the prevention
or punishment of the crime thus meditated.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Tn the month of April last, as Congress is
aware friendly arrangement was made De-
tween the Emperor of France and the Presl-
dent of the United States for the Withdrawal
from Mexico of the French expeditionary mill
tary forces. This withdrawal was to be effect
ed in three detachments the first OF which, ii
was understood, would leave Mexico in Novem-
ber, now past, the second in March, next, and
the third and last in November, 1867. lmme-
diately upon the completion of the evacuation,
the French Government was to assume the same
attitude of non-intervention in regard to Mex
leo, as is held by the Government OF the nj
ted States. Repeated assurances have been
given by the Emperor, since that agreement,
that he would complete the promised evacua-
ton within the time mentioned, or sooner.
1t was reasonably expected that the proceed
ings thus contemplated would produce crisis
of great political interest in the Republic OF
Mexico. The newly appointed Minister of the
United States, Mr.. Campbell, was therefore sent
forward. on the 9th day of November last to
assume his proper functions as Minister Pleni-
potentiary Of the United States TO that Repub-
tic. 1t was also thought expedient that he
should be attended in the vicinity of Mexico
by the Lieutenant General of the Army OF the
United States, with the view of obtaining such
information as might be important to determine
the course to be pursued by the United States
in re-establishing and maintaining necessary
and proper intercourse with the Republic Of
Mexico. Deeply interested in the cause OF lib
erty and humanity, it seemed an obvious duty
on our part to exercise whatever influence we
possessed for the restoration and permanent es-
tablishment in that country of domestic and
republican form of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in regard to
Mexico when, on the 22d of November last, Of
fetal information was received from Parls that
the Emperor of France had some time before
decided not to withdraw detachment of his
forces in the month of November past, accord
ing to engagement, but that this decision was
made with the purpose of Withdrawing the
whole of those forces in the ensuing spring.
OF this determination, however, the United
States had not received any notice or intor1na-
tion: and, so soon as the information was re-
ceived BY the Government care was taken to
make known IFS dissent TO the Emperor Of
France.
/ cannot forgo the hope that France will re-
consider the subject, and adopt some resolution
in regard 10 the evacuation of Mexico which
will conform as nearly as practicable with the
existing engagement, and meet the just expec-
tatiops of the United States. The papers re-
lating TO the subject will be laid before you. 1t
| is believed that with the evacuation of Mexico
| by the expeditionary forces, no subject for Sc
| rious differences between France and the Uni
| ted States would remain. The expressions oi
| the Emperor and people of France warrant a
hope that the trad tionary friendship between
| the two countries might in that case be renew
| ed and permanently restored.
INTERNAL INDEMNITY.
| A claim of citizen Of the United Stae iol
| indemnity for spoilations committed on the
| high seas by the French authorities in the ex
ercise of belligerent power against Mexico, ha'
been met by the Government Of France with
proposition to defer settlement until mutual
convention for the adjustment of all claims o
citizens and subjects of both countries, arising
out of the tcent wars on the continent, shal
be agreed upon by the two countries. Tit
| suggestion is not deemed unreasonable, but i
belongs to Congress to direct the manner il
which claims for indemnity by foreigners, al
well as by citizens of the United States, arising
out of the late civil war, shall be adjudicaieC
and determined have no doubt that the sub
| iect of all such claims will engage your atten
ton at convenient and proper time.
| THE ANGLo-REBEL PIRATEs.
| II is matter of regret that no considerable
| advance has been made towards an adj ustmen
ofthe difference between the United States anc
| Great Britain, arising out Of the depreciation
upon our national commerce and other trespas
ses committed during our civil war by British
subjects in violation of international law ant
treaty obligations The delay, however, maj
be believed to have resulted in no small degree
l.from the domestic situation of Great Britain
An entire change of ministry occurred in tha
. | country during the last session of Parliament
The attention Of the new ministry was called t
the subject at an early day, and there is som
reason to expect that it will now be considered
in becoming and friendly spirit. The impor
tance of an early disposition of the question
cannot be exaggerated. Whatever might b
the wishes of the two Governments, it is mani
fest that goodwill and friendship between tn
two countries cannot be established until re
ciprocity, in the practice of good faith and neu
triaiity should be restored between the respec
tive nations.
Il THE FENIANs.
On the 9Th of June last, in violation of ou
neutrality laws, military expedition and en-
terprise against the British North Ameaica
Colonies was projected and attempted to
carried on within the territory and jurisdiction
of the United States. In obedience to the obi
cation imposed upon the Executive by the Con
stitution, TO see that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted, all citizens were warned, by proclama
, ton, against taking part in or aiding such IN
, lawful proceedings, and the proper civil, mill
!, tary and naval officers were directed to tax
all necessary measures for the enforcement {
! the laws. The expedition failed, but it has M
{ been without its Jainful consequences, Som
of our citizens who, it was alleged, were engf
ged in the expedition, were captured, and hay
| been brought to trial. as for capital offence,
the Province of Canada. Judgment an
sentence of death have been pronounced againi
some, while others have been acquitted. Full
believing in the maxim of government, tb;
7 severity of civil punishment for misguided PEI
: sons who have engaged in revolutionary a
5 tempts which have disastrously failed, is III
: sound and unwise. SUCH representations hay
been made to the British Government, in bt
] half of the convicted persons, as being sustane
] by an enlightened and humane judgement, vii
D it is hoped, induce in their cases an exercise
4 clemency and judicious amnesty to all WI
were engaged in the movement. Counsel hi
been employed by the Government to defen
citizens of the United States on trial for capit
offences in Canada, and discontinuance of II
: prosecutions which were instituted in the cour
f of the United Statest against those who Too
e part in the expedition, has been directed
7 have regarded the expedition as not onl
political in its nature, but as also in gre
7 measure foreign from the United States in i
e causes, character and objects. The attempt W;
g understood to be made in sympathy with q
) insurgent party in ireland, and, by striking
S a British Province on this Continent, WI
: designated to aid in obtaining redress for poll
D ical grievances which, it was assumed, the PEE
= ple of Ireland had suffered at the hands of II
3 British Government during period of sever
centuries The persons engaged in it wei
J; chiefly natives of that country, some of whO1
i had. while Others had not, become citizens
: the United States under our general laws
i naturalization Complaints of misgovernmel
t in Ireland continually engage the attention
t the British nation, and SO great an agitation
, now prevailing in Ireland that the British Gov
| ernunnt have deemed It necessary TO suspen