The Portland daily press., 1866-12-04

eess<..sss--ss.--
appropriate and effectusl of er,abling them e |
make known their peculiar eonuition anu
wants. and of securing the ioeai Ieelsiaat .I,
adapted To them, therefore recommend tne |
massage of a law authorizing the electors OF the
District of Columbia to choose delegate, to be |
allowed the same rights and privileges as del
egate representing Territory. Inc increasing
enterprise and rapid progress of improvement |
in the District are highly gratifying, and |
trust that the efforts of the municipal authori-
ties to promote the prosperity of the national |
metropolis will receive the efficient and gener- |
Gus cooperation of Congress.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The report of the Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture reviews the operations of his Department
during the past year, and asks the aid OF Con-
gress IN Its efforts to encourage those States
winch, scourged by war, are now earnestly en-
gagged In the reorganization of domestic indus
try.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Lit is subject of congratulation that no for
eign combinations against our domestic peace
and safety, or our legitimate influence among
the nations, have been formed or attempted
While sentiments of reconciliation, Loyalty
and patriotism have increased at home. a more
just consideration of our national character
and rights has been manifested by foreign ma
TONS
The entire success of the Atlantic Telegraph
between the coast of Ireland and the Province
Va A,CWAOuh0idAu, iS ALI dCQl6VemenC WHICH
has been justly celebrated in both hemispheres
as the opening ofan era in the progress of civ
lhzation. There is reason to expect that equal
success will attend, and even greater results
follow, the enterprise for connecting the two
Continents through the Pacific Ocean by the
projected line Of telegraph between Hams
chatka and the Russian possessions in Amer
lea.
The resolution of Congress protesting against
pardons by foreign Governments of persons
nj
emigration to our country, has been commune
Gated to the States with which we maintain in
tercotlrse. and the practice, so justly the sub
Ject OF complaint on our part, has not been re-
newed.
The congratulations of Congress to the En-
peror of Russia, upon his escape from attempt
! ed assassination, have been presented to that
humane and enlightened ruler, and received by
him with expressions of grateful appreciation.
The Executive, warned of an attempt by
| Spanish American Adventures to induce the
emigration of freedmen of the United States
| to foreign country, protested against the
| project as one which, if consummated, would
reduce them to bondage even more oppres-
| sive than that from which they have lust been
| relieved. Assurance has been received from
| the Government of the State in which the plan
was matured, that the proceeding will meet
neither its encouragement nor its approval
| 1t is a question worthy of your consideration
whether our laws upon this subject are ade-
| quate to the prevention or punishment of the
crime thus meditated.
THE FRENcH-MExIcAN niBRoaLIo.
In the month OF April last, as Congress is
aware, a friendly arrangement was made e.
tween the Emperor OF France and the President
| of the United States for the withdrawal from
Mexico of the French expeditionary military
forces. This withdrawal was TO be effected in
three detachments, the first of which, it was un-
derstood, would leave Mexico in November, now
past, the second in March next, and the third
last aInar
on the completion ofthe evacuation, the French
Government was to assume the same attitude
of non-intervention, in regard to Mexico, as is
held by the Government of the United States
| Repeated assurances have been given by the
| Emperor, since that agreement, that he would
complete the promised evacuation within the
| period mentioned, or sooner.
1t was reasonably expected that the proceed
ings thus contemp ated 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
| Plenipotentiary of the United States to that
Republic. 1t was also thought expedient that
he should be attended in the vicinity of Mexi-
co by the Lieutenant General of the Army of
| the United States, with the view of obtaining
such information as might be important to de-
termine the course to be pursued by the United
States in re-establshing and maintaining nee
essary AID proper intercourse with the Repub-
lie of Mexico. Deeply interested in the cause
of liberty and humanity, it seemed an obvious
duty ON our part to exercise whatever infu-
ence we possessed for the restor ton and per-
manent establishment in that country OF a do
mestic and republican form of Government.
Such was the condition of affairs in regard
to Mexico, when on the I'D of November last,
| official information was received from Paris
that the Emperor of France had some time
before decided not to withdraw detachment
OF his forces in the month OF November past
according to engagement, but that this decis-
Ion was made with the purpose of withdraw
ing the whole of those forces in the ensuing
spring: OF this determination, however, the
United States had not received any notice or
intimation; and, so soon as the information
was received by the Government care was
taken TO make known its dissent to the Empe-
TOR of France
cannot forego the hope that france will
reconsider the subject, and adopt some resolu-
ton in regard to the evacuation of Mexico
I which Will conform as nearly as practicable
with the existing engagement, and thus meet
the just expectations of the United States
The papers relating to the subject will be laid
before you 1t is believed that, with the eyac-
uation OF Mexico by the evolutionary forces
no subject for serious differences between
France and the United States would remain
! The expressions of the Emperor and people of
France warrant hope that the Evolutionary
friendship between the two countries might
IN that case be renewed and permanently re-
/ stored
A claim of citizen of the United States for
indemnity for spoilations committed on the
high seas by the French authorities, in the ex-
ercise OF helligerent power against Mexico
mas been met by the Government of France
with proposition to defer settlement until a
mutual convention for the adjustment of all
claims of citizens and subjects of both coun-
/ tries, arising out of the recent wars on this
CONTINENT shall be agreed upon by the two
countries. The suggestion is not deemed I'M
reasonable, but it belongs to Congress to direct
/ the manner in which claims for indemnity by
foreigners, as well as by citizens of the United
States, arising out of the late civil war, shall
| be adjudicated and determined / have no
doubt that the subject of all such claims will
engage your attention at a convenient and
proper time.
/ GREAT BRITAIN
1t is a matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made towards an adjustment
OF the differences between the United States
and Great Britain, arising out of the depreda-
tons upon Our national commerce and other
trespasses committed during our civil war by
| British subjects, in violation of international
law and treaty obligations. The delay. howev-
er, may be believed to have resulted in no small
degree from the domestic situation of Great
Britain. An entire change of ministry occur
red in that country during the last session of
Parliament. The attention of the new minis
try. was called to the subject at an early day,
and there is some reason to expect that it will
now be considered in a becoming and friendly
spirit. The importance of an early disposition
of the question cannot be exaggerated. What
ever might be the wishes of the two Govern
ments, it is manifest that goodwill and friend
tablished until reciprocity, in the practice of
good faith and neutrality, shall be restored be-
tween the respective nations
THE FENLANs.
On the 9th of June last in violation of our
neutrality laws, a military expedition and en-
terprise against the British North American
Colonies was projected and attempted to be
carried on within the territory and jurisdiction
of the United States In obedience to the OBJ
legation imposed upon the Executive by the
Constitution, to see that the laws are faithfully
executed, all citizens were warned, by procla-
nation, against taking part in or aiding such
itarY and naval officers we're directed to tale oil