North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-12-12

summated, would reduce them TO bond
! age even more oppressive than that from
which they have just been relieved As
surance has heen received from the Gov
ernment Of the State in which the plan
was matured, that the proceeding will
meet neither its. encouragement, nor. ap-
proval. 1t a question worthy of your
consideration, whether our laws upon this
subject are adequate TO the prevention or
punishment of the crime thus meditated,
In the month of April last, as Congress
is aware. friendly arrangement was made
between the Emperor OF France and the
President of the United States for the
withdrawal from Mexico of the French
expeditlonary military forces. This ith-
drawal was to be effected In three detach-
ments, the first of which, it was understood
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
evacuation, the French Government was
to assume the same attitude OF non-inter-
vention, in regard to Mexico, as is held by
the Government of the United States. Re
peated 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 pro.
ceedings thus contemplated would produce
crisis OF great political interest in the
Republic of Mexico The newly-appoint-
eu 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 Plenipo-
tentiary of the United States to that Re-
public. 1t was also thought expedient
| that be 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-establishlng and naiQtaining neces-
sary ard proper intercourse with the Re-
public of Mexico. Deeply interested in
the cause of Liberty and humanity, IT seem
ed an obvious duty OH our part to exercise
whatever influence We possessed for the
| restoration and permanent establishment
in that country Of domestic and republi-
can form of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in re-
gard To Mexico, when, on the 22d of No
vember last, official information was re-
ceived tIOm 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 decision was
made with the purposes of Withdrawing
the whole force in the ensuing spring. Of
this determination, however, the United
States had moi received any notice or in
timation; and, as soon as the information
Was received by the Government, care was
taken to make known its dissent to the En-
peroT of France. -s
| cannot forego the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt
some resolution in regard to the evacua
ton of Mexico which will conform as near
ly as practicable with the existing engage
mcnt, and thus meet the just expectations
of the United States. The papers relating
to the subject will be la before YOU. 1t
is believed that, with the evacuation of
Mexico by the expedtionary forces, no
subject for serious differences between
France and the United States would re-
main. The expressions of the Emperor
and people of France warrant hope that
the Evolutionary friendship between the
two countries might in that case be renew
ed and permanently restored.
A claim of citizen of the United S ates
for idemnity for spoliatons committed on
the high seas by the French authorities, in
the exercise of beligerent power against
Mexico, has been met bt he Government
OF France with proposition to defer set
Element until a mutual convention for the
adjustment of all claims of citizens and
subjects OF both countries, arising out OF the
recent wars on this Continent, shall be
agreed upon by the two countries. The
suggestion is not deemed unreasonable,
but it belongs to Congress to direct the
manner IN which claims for idemnity by
foreigners, as we'll as by the citizens of the
United >tates, arising ont of the late civil
war, shall be adjudicated and determined.
| have no doubt that the subject nf all such
claims will engage your attention at a con-
venient and proper time.
1t is matter of regret that no consider
able advance has been made towards an
adjustment OF the differences between the
United States and Great Britain, arising
out Of the depredations upon our ma
tIonal commerce and other trespasses
committed during our civil war by British
subjects, in violation of International law
and treaty of obligations. The delay, how
ever, may be believed to have resulted in
no small degree from the domestic situa-
ton OF Great Britain. An entire change
of ministry occurred in that country during
the last session of 'arliam%nt. The atten-
tion of the new ministry was called to the
subject at an early day, and there is some
reason to expect that it wfIl now be consd-
cred in becoming and friendly spirit
The Importance Of an &rly disposition of
th. cualtiOnHcon ho- XNbot