The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-04

three detachments, Jne nrst oi WuCn, ~
was understood, would leave Mexico IN
November, new past, the second IN
March next, and the third and last IN
November, 1867. Immediately upon the
completion of the evacuation, the
French Government was to assume the
same attitude of non-intervention, in
regard to Mexico, rs is held by the Gov
ernment of the United States. Repeat
ed assurances have been given by the
Emperor, since that agreement, that he
would complete the promised evacua-
ton within the period mentioned, or
sooner.
1t was reasonably expected that the
proceedings thus contemplated would
produce n crisis Of great political inter
est in the Republic of Mexico: The new,
| ly-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 Mexico by
the Lieutenant General of the Army of
the United States, with view OF oe-
taiuinp such infarmatior &C .~'shs be
! important to determine the course to be
pursued by the United States in re-es-
tablishing and maintaining necessary
and proper intercourse with the Repub-
lie Of Mexico. Deeply interested in the
cause of liberty and humanity, it SEEM
ed an obvious duty on our part to exer-
else whatever influence we possessed
Tor the restoration and permanent es
IL II -, t1,ot ,frt- .afo
tic and republican form of government.
| Such was the condition Of affairs III
regard to Mexico, when, on the 22d Of
November last, official information was
received from Paris that the Emperor of
| France had some time before decided
not to withdraw q detachment of his
! forces in the month of November past,
according to agreement, but that this
decision was made with the purpose Of
withdrawing the whole of those forces
in the ensuing spring. OF this deter
mination, however, the United States
had not received any notice or intima-
| ton; and, rs soon as the information
was received by the Government, care
was taken to make known its dissent
to the Emperor of France.
cannot forego the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt
some resolution i'll regard to the evac-
uation of Mexico which will conform as
nearly as practicable with the existing
engagement, and thus meet the just ex-
pectations 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
| 4 . atth
serious differences between France and
the United States would remain. The
expressions of the Emperor and people
of France warrant hope that the ira
dictionary friendship between the two
countries might in that case be renewed
and permanently restored. !
A claim of q citizen of the United
States for idemnity for spoliations COM
mitted on the high seas by the French
authorities, in the exercise of bellig- |
erent power against Mexico, has been
met by the Government of France with
proposition to defer settlement until
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 sug
gestion is not deemed unreasonable, but
| it belongs to Congress to direct the man
ner in which claims for indemnity by
foreigners, rs well as by citizens OF the
! United States, arising ont of the late
civil war, shall he adjudicated and de-
termined. ] have no doubt that the sub
iect of all such claims will engage your
attention ut a convenient and proper
time.
Ii 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 depredatiOns
upon our national commerce and other
trespasses committed during our civil
war by British subjects, in violation Of
international law and treaty obliga-
tions The delay, however, may be be- |
lieyed to have resulted in no small de-
gree from the domestic situation OF
Great Britain An entire change of min
istry occurred in that country during
the last session Of Parliament. The at
tention of the new ministry was called
to the subject at an early day, and there
is some reason to expect that IT will
now be considered in n becoming and
friendly spirit. The importance OF All
early disposition of the question cannot
be exaggerated. Whatever might be
the wishes of the two Governments, il
is manifest that good will and friend
ship between the two countries cannot
be established until n reciprocity, in the
practice of good faith and neutrality,
shall be restored between tn @ respective
nations.
On the 9th Of June last, in violation
of our neutrality laws, military ex-
petition and enterprise against the
British North American Colonies was
projected and attempted to be carried
on within the territory and jurisdiction
Of the United 5 ates. In obedience 10
the obligation imposed npOn the Exec
utiye by the Constitution, to see that
the laws are faithfully executed, all
citizens were warned, by proclama-
tion, against taking part in or aiding
such unlawful proceedings, and the
proper civil, military, and naval officers
were directed to take oil necessary
for the enforcement Of the
laws. The expedition failed, but it has
not been without its painful coDse-
quences. Some of our citizens who, IL
was alleged, were engaged in the expe- .
dition, were captured, and have been
brought to trial, as for q capital offence,
in the Province of Canada. Judgment
and sentence Of death have been pro-
honoured against some, while Others
have been acquitted. Fully believing
in the maxim Of government, that seyeri-
ty Of civil punishment for misguided per- q
sons who have engaged In reyolu- !
tionary attempts which have dis
failed, is unsOund and unwise, ,
such representations have been made to I
the British Government, in behalf OF the
convicted persons, as, being sustained
by an enlightened and humane judg-
nent, will, il is hoped, induce in their
,ases an exercise of clemeDcy, and a ju-
licious amnesty to all who were engaged
IN the movement. Counsel has been
by the Government TO defend
,itiZens Of the United States on trial for
,apitsl offences in Canada; and dis 4
of the prosecutions which
we're instituted in the courts Of the