Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-15
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

the National Council, which, from our earliest
history, has been uniformly accorded TO each
Territory, and established from time to time
within our limits. IL maintains peculiar re-
lations to Congress, to whom the Constitu-
ton has granted the power of exercising ex
elusive legislation over the seat OF Govern-
ment. Our feli0w-citizens residing in the
District whose interests are thus confided
to the special guardianship of Congress, exc
coed in number the population of several OF
our Territories, and no just reason is per-
eeived why delegate OF their choice should
not be admitted TO seat in the House,
No mode seems appropriate and effectnal Of
enabling them 10 make known their peculiar
condition AMI wants, and of securing the To-
cal legislation adapted to them. / therefore
recommend the passage of u law authorizing
the electors of the District of Columbia to
choose delegate, to be allowed the same
rig hit aud privileges delegate represent
ing territory. The increase of population
and progress of improvement in the District
are highly gratifying, and trust the efforts
OF the municipal authorities TO promote the
prosperity of the national metropolis will re-
ceive the efficient and generous cooperation
of Congress. .ae.. es
The Agricultural reports of the Commits
sioner of Agriculture reviews the operations
of his department. during the past year, and
asks the aid OF Congress IN its Efforts to en-
courage those States which, seourged by war,
are now earnestly engaged In the reOTganiza-
ton of domestic industry.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
1t is subject of congratulatiOn thai there
are no foreign combinations against our do
mestic peace and safety, or orr Legitimate
influence among the nations have been form.
ed or attempted, while sentiments of recon-
cilation, loyalty and patriotism have in
creased at home. A more just consideration
of our national character and rights has been
manifested by foreign nations. Tue entire
success of tho Atlantic cable, between the
- raI, md he nrin of Nnur.
foundland, is an achievement which has been
Jointly celebrated in both hemisphsres as the
opening OF an era IN the progress OF clvlllZa-
ton. There is reason to expect thai 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 K4mt-
schatka and the Russian possessions III
America. The resolutions OF Congress pro-
] nOuncing against pardons by foreign govern
ments OF persons convicted OF infamous Of
fences, on condition OF emisra ion to our
country, has been communicated to states
with which we m mtaln intercourse anu the
practit Justly made the subject of complaint
on onr part, has not been denied. The
| CONGRATULATIONS of congress TO theEmperOf of
| Russia upon his escape for attempted asssssi-
nation, have been presented to that humane
and enlightened ruler, and read by him, with
| expressions of grateful appreciation. The
| executive, warned Of an attempt by Spanish
| AmGfltaU auNGnLuIeTS
| ton of freedmen of the United States To
| foreign country, protested against the prof.
ect as one which, consummated, would re-
| duce them to a bondage even more oppres-
siVe than that from which they have Just
/ been relieved. Assurances have baen re-
ceived from the government OF the state IN
which the plan was mstured that the pro-
ceedng will meet neither its announcement
nor approval. 1t is a question worthy your
consideration, whether oar laws upon this
subject arc adequate to the prevention or
punishment of the crimes thus medltated.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.
The Mexican question in the month of April
last. as Congress is aware. friendly ar
rangement was made between the Emperor
| of the French and the President of the Unlt-
ed States for the withdrawal from Mexico of
| the French military forces. The withdrawal
was to be made in three detachments, the
| first of which 1t was understood, would leave
Mexico in November now past. the second in
March next, and the third and last in No
vember 1867. Immediately on the compile
ton of the evacuation the French govern
| ment was to assume the same attitude In re-
| gard to non-interventiOn as held by the gov
ernment of the Uaited States. Repeated as
! surauces have been given by the Emperor,
| since that agreement, that he would complete
/ the promised evacuation within the period
| named, or even sooner IL was reasonable
| TO expect that the proceedings thus cOntem-
4
| cal interest in the republic OF Mexico. The
| newly Observation-Disclosures of the United States,
| Mr. Campbell, was therefore sent forward on
| November 8, to assume his functions as Min
/ lister Plenipotentiary of the United States to
! that republic. It was also thought eXpedlent
| that he should be attended IN the vicinity of
| Mexico by the Lieutenant General of the
| United States army, with the view OF obtain
ing such information as might be important
| to determine the course to be pursued by the
taA at IN
tanning proper intercourse with Mexico
Deeply interested in the course OF liberty aud
humanity it seemed an obvious duty on our
part to exercise whatever influence we are
possessed of, for the restoration and perma-
nent establishment in that country Ofa dem
Ocratic and republican form of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in regard to
Mexico when, on thhe 22d day of November,
official information was received from Paris,
that the Emperor had some time before de-
cided not to withdraw detachment of his
| forces in the month OF November, according
to agreement; but that this decision
| was made for the purpose OF withdraw
/ ing. the whole of these forces in the
ensuing spring. OF this latter determination,
| however, the United States has received no
notice or animation. and, so soon as informa-
ton was received from this government, care
| was taken TO make known the dissent to the
Emperor of France. l cannot forego the
| hope that France will reconsider the subject,
/ and adopt some leSOlQtlOn IN regard To In6
evacuation of Mexico, which will conform as
nearly as possible with the existing engage
ment, and meet with the expectations of this
government. The documents relating to the
subject will be laid before you. 1t Is believed
that with the evacuation OF Mexico by the
expeditionary forces, no subject tor serious
differences between France and the United
States would remain The expressions of the
Emperor aud people of France warrant a
hope that the Evolutionary friendship between
~ ~
newed and permanently restored. el aim of
citizen of the United States for indemnity
for spollatiO1 committed on the nigh seas by
the French authorities, in the exercise of
belligerent power against Mexico, has been
met by the government of France with
proposition to defer the settlement until
mutualconvention 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 reed upon by the two
countries. The suggestion is not deemed
unques tionable, but 1t belongs to Congress to
direct the manner in which claims for indem-
nifty by foreigners, as well as by citizens of
the United States, arising out of the late civil
war, shall be determined. L have no doubt
that the subject OF such claims will engage
your attention at convenient and proper
time.
OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
( 1t is a 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 depreda-
tiOns on our commerce, and other trespasses
committed during the civil war, by British
subjects, IN violation of International law aud
treaty obligations. The delay, however, may
be believed to have resulted in no small de-
gree from the domestic situation of Great
Britain. An entire change of ministry occurred
in that country during the last session of par
lament The attention of the new ministry
was called to the subject, at an early day, and