Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-12-07

United States In re-esta blIshIng and
main tanning proper intercourse with
the Republic of Mexico. Deeply IN
terested IN the cause of liberty and
humanity, 1t seemed an obvious duty
on our part to exercise whatever in
huence we possessed for the restoration
and permanent establishment 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, official information
was received from Paris that the EN-
peror of France had sometime before
decided not to withdraw a detachment
of his forces IN the month of NoVem-
Der, according to engagement, but that
this decision was made with the pur-
pose of withdrawing 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 inform
alton was received by the Government
care was taken to make known its dis
sent to the Emperor Of France.
I cannot forego the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt
some resolution In regard to the evac-
uation of Mexico which will conform
as nearly as practicable with the exist
ing 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 evacuation of Mexico by the
expedihonary forces, no subject for
serious differences between France
and the United States, would remain.
The expressions of the Emperor and
people Of France warrant a hope that
the traditionaTy friendship between
the two countries might In that case
be renewed and permanently restored
A claim of citizen of the United
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 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 Conti-
nent, shall be agreed upon by the two
countries. The suggestion is not
deemed unreasonable, but it belongs
TO Congress to direct the manner 10
which claims for indemnity by foreign
ers, 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 convenient aud proper time.
It is a matter of regret that no con
siderable advance has been made to-
wards an adjustment Of the differences
between the United States and Great
Britain, arising out of the depreda-
tions upon our national commerce and
other trespasses committed during our
civil war by British subjects, in viola
ton of international law and treaty
obligations. The delay, however. may
be believed to have resulted in n small
degree from the domestic situation Of
Great Britain. An entire change Of
ministry occurred Ia that country dur
ing the last session of Parliament
The attention of the new ministry was
called to the subject at an early day,
and there is some reason to expect that
it viii now be considered in becoming
and friendly spirit The importance
of an early disposition of the ques-
ton cannot be exaggerated. What
ever might be the wishes of the two
Governments, it is manifest that good
will and friendship between the two
countries cannot be established until a
reciprocity, in the practice Of good
faith and neutrality, shall be restored
between the respective nations.
On the 9th of June last, In violation
of our neutrality laws. a military ex
peditiOn a1d enterprise against the
British North American Colonies was
projected aud attempted to be carried
on within the territory and jurisdiction
of the United States. In obedience to
the obligation imposed upon the Exc
cutive by the Constitution, to see that
the laws are faithfully executed, all
citizeugawere warned, by proclamation,
against taking part IN or aiding such
unlawful proceeding, and the proper
civil, military, and naval officers were
directed to take all necessary measures
for the enforcement of the laws. The
expedition failed, but it has not been
without It's painful consequences
Some Of our citizens who, it was alleg
ed, were engaged in the expedition,
were captured, and have been brought
to trial, as for a capital Offense, 10 the
Province of Canada Judgment and
sentence of death have been pronouE-
ced against some, while others have
been acquitted Fully believing in the
maxim of government, that severity Of
civil punishment for misguided per
sons who have engaged in revolution
ary attempts which have disastrOuly
failed, is unsound and unWise, such re-
presentations have been made to the
British government, In behalf of the
convicted persons, as, being sustained
by an enlightened and humane judg
meDt. will, it is hoped, induce in their
cases an exercise of clemency, and a
iudicious amnesty to all who we're en-
gagged IN the movement. Counsel has
been employed by the Government to
defend citizens o. the United States on
trial for capital Offens6s In Canada and
a discontinuauce of the prosecutions
which were instituted in the courts Of
The United States against those who
took part In the expedition, has been
directed.
[ have regarded the expedition as
not only political in its nature, but as
also In a great measure foreign from
the United States In its causes, char
acter. and objects The attempt was
understood to be made in sympathy
with an insargent party in ireland,
and, in striking at British Province
on this Continent was designed to aid
in obtaining redress for political griev-
ances which it was assumed, the people
of Ireland had suffered at the hands of
the British Government during period
of several centuries. The persons en-
gagged in it were chiefly natives of that
country, some Of whom had, while
others had not, become citizens Of the
United States under our general laws
of naturalization. Complaints Of mis-
in ireland continually en-
gage the attention of the British ma
ton, and so great an agitation is now
pre- egailing in ireland that the British
have deemed it necessary
to suspend the writ of habeas coyPus
in that country. These circumstances !
must necessarily modify the opinion |
which we might otherwise have enter |
tained in regard TO an expedition eX- /
nrosal-r rrobS bifad nv ottr nan ky.o litvJ /