Litchfield enquirer., 1866-12-13

construction question. He then proceeds to give brief synopsis of the leading re- ports accompanying the message, recom- mends the preservation of the levees on the Mississippi River, and that the District of Columbia be allowed delegate in Con- gress. Of our foreign relations he speaks as follows
 OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
 It is subject of congratulation that no foreign combinations against our domestic peace and safety, or our legitimate infu- ence among the nations, have been formed or attempted. While sentiments of recon ciliation, loyalty and patriotism have in- creased at home, a more just consideration of our national character and rights has been manifested by foreign nations.
 The entire success of the Atlantic Tele- graph between the coast of Ireland and the Province of Newfoundland, is an achiev- ment which has been justly celebrated in both hemlspheres as the opening of an era in the progress of civilization. There is reason to expect that equal success will att tend, and even greater results follow, the enterprise for connecting the two conti- nents through the Pacific Ocean by the projected line of telegraph between Kam- schatka and the Russian possessions in America. ...-
 The resolution of Congress protesting against pardons by foreign governments of persons convicted of infamous offences, on condition of emigration to our country, has been communicated to the states with which we maintain intercourse, and the practice, so justly the subject of complaint on our part, has not been renewed.
 The congratulations of Congress to the Emperor of Russia, upon his escape from attempted assassination, have been present ed to that humane and enlightened ruler, and received by him with expressions of grateful appreciation.
 The Executive, warned of an attempt by Spanish-American adventurers to in duce the emigration of freedmen of the United States to foreign country, pro tested against the project as one which, if consummated, would. reduce them to 8 bondage even more oppressive than that from which they have just been relieved. Assurance has been received from the gov ernment of the state in which the plan was matured, that the proceeding will meet neither its encouragement nor approval. It is question worthy of your consideration, whether our laws upon this subject are ad- equate to the prevention or punishment of the crime thus meditated. ..a
 In the month of April last, as Congress is aware, friendly arrang cement was made between the Emperor of France and the President of the United States for the withdrawal from Mexico of the French ex- peditionary military forces. This with drawal was to be effected in three detach- ments, the first of which, it was under stood, would leave Mexico in November, now past, the second in March next, and the third and last, in November, 1867. I'm mediately upon the completion of the evac- uation, the French government was to as- sume the same attitude of non-intervention in regard to Mexico, as is held by the gov ernment of the United States. Repeated assurances have been given by the Empe- TOT, since that agreement, that he would complete the promised evacuation within the period mentioned, or sooner. .-.
 It was reasonably expected that the pro- ceedings thus contemplated would produce crisis of great political interest in the re- public of Mexico. The newly-appointed minister of the United States, MT. Camp bell, was therefore sent forward, on the 9th
 
 CT functions as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to that Republic. Itwas also thought expedient that he should be attended in the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieutenant General of the army of the Uni ted States, with a view of obtaining such information as might be important to de- termine the course to be pursued by the United States in establishing and main- taining necessary and proper intercourse with the republic of Mexico Deeply in- terested in the cause of liberty and human ity, 1t seemed an obvious duty on our part to exercise whatever influence we possessed for the restoration and permanent estab- hshment in that country of 8 domestic and republican form of government
 COMPLAINTS AGAINST FRANCE
 Such was the condition of affairs in re- gard to Mexico, when, on the 22d of No vember last, official information was receiv- ed from Paris, that the Emperor of France had sometime before decided not to with draw detachment of his forces in the month of November past, according to en- gagement, 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 kottIcS lidu AOt IcCOIfCo duy uOUlCC OA HUI nation and, so soon as the information was received by the government, care was taken to make known its dissent to the Emperor of France -..-g-.., 5.
 I cannot forego the hope that France will reconsider the subject, and adopt some res olution in regard to the evacuation of Mex ico which will conform as nearly as practi- cable with the existing engagement, and thus meet the just expectations of the Uni ted States The papers relating to the subject will be laid before you. It is be- ieyed that, with the evacuation of Mexico by the expeditionary forces, no subject for serious differences between France and the United States would remain. The ex- pressions of the Emperor and people of France warrant hope that the traditiona- ry friendship between the two countries might in that case be renewed and perma- nently restored. -1 -as- a-i7 -'''' A claim of g, citizen of the Unined States for indemnity for spoliations committed on the high seas by the French authorities, in the exercise of a belligerent power against Mexico has been met by the government of France with a proposition to defer settle ment until a mutual convention for the ad- justment of all claims of citizens and sub jects of both countries, arising out of the :, V