Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-12-14

ats tbaA AaS I~BliSIUE u GIdhNS uaA SullG
tune before decided not to withdraw de-
taehment OF his forces in the month of No
Vember past, according to engagement, but
that this decision was made with the pur-
pose Of Withdrawing the whole Of those for
ces in the ensuing spring OF this determi-
nation, 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 Emperor of France.
L cannot foregO the hope that France will
reconsider the subject, and adopt some res
0!utlOn in regard to the evacuation of Mexi-
co which viii conform as nearly as practlca-
bic 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 evacuation of Mexico By the expe-
cItionary forces no subject for serious differ
ences between France and the United States
would remain. The expressions ofthe En-
peror and people of France warrant hope
that the traditionary friendship between the
two countries mightin 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 belhgerent power against
Mexico, has been met by the Government
OF France with a proposition to defer settle
ment until mutual convention for the
adjustment of all claims of citizens, and SUBJ
jects 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
lrIa br- III
as by citizens of the United States, arising
out Of the late civil war, shall be adjudicated
and determined. | have no doubt shat the
subject of all such claims viii engage your
attention at a convenient and proper time.
1t matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made toward an adjustment
of the differences between the United States
and Great Britain, arising out Of the depre-
datlons 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, however, may be believed to have
resulted in no small degree from the domestic
situation of Great Britain. An entire
change Of ministry occurred in that country
during 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 a becoming and friendly spirit The
Importance of an early disposition of the
question cannot be exaggerated Whatever
might be the wishes of the two governments,
it is manifest that good will and friendship
between the two countries cannot be estab-
lished until 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 expedition
and enterprise against the British North
lneriean COLONIES. was projected and
attempted to be carried on within the terri
tory and jurisdiction of the United States.
La II ogedlencc to the obligation imposed upon
the Executive by the Constitution. to see
tnat the laws are faithfully executed. all
citizens were warned by proclamation against
taking part in or aiding such unlawful nTo.
ceedlngs, and the proper civil, military, and
naval officers were directed to take aIl neces-
saTy measures for the enforcement .of the
laws. The expedition failed, but It has pot
been without Its painful conseauences
Some OF our citizens, who, it was alleged.
were engaged IN the expedition, we're can
tured, and have been brought to trial, as for
capital offence, II the Province of Canada,
Judgment and sentence of death have been
pronounced against some, while others have
been acquitted. Fully believing In the maxim
d government, that severity of civil punish
nent for misguided persons who have
In revolutionary attempts which
have disastrously failed is unsound and
lnwise, such representations have been made
10 tie British Government, Ia behalf of the
ana du9fahe iJGu gtftnig Ii; li ii
hoped, induce In their cases an exercise of
semency, and judicious amnesty to all who
we're engaged in the movement. Counsel
has been employed by the Government to
defend citizens of the United States on trial
for capital offences in Canada; and discon-
lnuance Of the prosecutions which were
instituted in the courts Of the United States
against those who took part in the expedi.
ion 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
It's causes, character, and objects. The
attempt was understood to be made in SYM
pathy with an insurgent party in Ireland,
ind, by striking at British province on
his continent, was designed to aid in
redress for political grievances
which, it was assumed, the people of Ireland
had suffered at the hands Of the British
government during a period of several
centuries. The persons engaged 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
If misgovernwent in Ireland continually
engage the attention of the British nation,
md so great an agitation is now prevailing
n Ireland that the British Government have
ieemed lt necessary 10 suspend the writ of
labeas corpus in that country These
circumstances must necessarily modify the
opinion which We might otherwise have
in regard to an expedition
expressly prohibited by our neutrality laws
50 long as those lawsremainupono our statute
looks they should be faithfully executed,
md if t'iey operate harshly, unjustly Or
Congress alone can apply the
emedy, by their modification or repeal.
Political and commercial interests of the
United States are not unlikely 10 be affected
n some degree BY events which are tTanspir-
ng in the eastern regions of Europe, and
he time seems to have come when our
Government ought to have proper diplo-
matte representation in Greece.
This Government has claimed for all
persons not convicted, or accused, or suspec-
ed of crime. an absolute political right Of
and choice of new national
allegiance. Most of the European States
rave dissented from this principle and have
laImed right to bold such of their sub
ectS as have immigrated to ard been natu-
allied IN the United States, and afterward
-etuFned on transient visits to their native