The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1866-12-12
CLAIMS FOR sprscu1 srolLAr,oys,

States for indemnity for spoialions cons
mit,ed on the hlgh seas by the French
authorities, in the exercise of belliger-
ent power against Mexico. has been met
by ,he Government aot France WIN q
proposition to defer settlement until a
mutual convention tor the adjustment oi
all claims of cilizens and subjects OF
both countries, arising out OF the recent
wars on this Continent shall be as'eeu
upon by the two countries. Inc sus
oa.tion is not deemed unreasonable, Dut
i belongs to Congress TO ui,ecl t"o M
manner in which claims ior indemnify
hu io,ignercs as well as by citizens OF
If,i,ed States, arising out OF the late
anvil war. shall be adiudicated and deter,
MIN. have no doubt thatthe snhJect
Of all such claims will engage your at
tent,ou at convenient aud proper time
INDEMNITY CLAIMS AGAINST ENGLAND
It is matter of regret that no con-
siderable advance has been made towards
an adjustment of the difference between
the United States and Great britain,
arising out the "epredations upon our
national commerce ard ether treSpasses
committed during our civil war by Brit
,,h subjects, in violation of niei national
law and treaty obligations. The delay,
however, nay b believed to have result
tc in no small degree from the domes'
TIC situation OF Great Britain. An en-
tire change of ministry occurred IN tnat
country dnr!og the last session of l'arlia-
ment The attention of the new minis
ty was called to the subject at an early
div, and there is some reason to expect
that it will not be considered in be-
coming and friendly spirit. The lmpor
lance of an early disposition ofihe qnesN
ton cannot be exaggerated. Whatever
might be the wishes OF the two Govern
mens, it is manifest that good will and
friendship between the two countries
cannot be established until reel procity,
in the practice # good faith and neu-
trality. shall be restored between the
respective nations.
f TIE FENlhN iN' 'fSiN''
On the 9th of June last, in violation
of our neutrality laws, a military expe-
dltion aud enterprise against the British
North America Colonies was projected
and attempted to be carried on within
the territory and jurisdiction OF the Uni
ted States. In obedience to the o6Iiga.
ton imposed upon the Executive by the
Constitution, to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, all citizens were
warned, by proclamation, against taking
part in or aiding such unlawful proceed-
ings. and the proper civil, military, and
naval officers were directed to take all
necessary measures for the enforcement
OF the laws. The expedition tailed, but
it has not been witho t its painful con-
sqnences Some ofo r citizens who, it
was alleged, were engaged in the eXpe
dition, were captured, and have been
brought to trial, as for "A capital fence,
in the Province OF Canada. Judgment
and sentc, ce OF death have been pro-
nounced against some while Others have
been acquitted Fully believing IN the
maxim Of government, that severity of
civil punis ment for ml guided persons
who have engaged in revolutionary at-
tempts which have dsastronslv failed, is
unsouna aad unwi-e. such repre- enla.
tions nave been made to- the British
Government. in behalf ofthe convicted
persons, as, being sustained by an en-
lightened AMI hunnne Judgment, will it
is hoped. induce III their cases an exer
else o clenency, and judlcIous ans
nesty to all who were engaged in the
movement. Counsel has been employ
ed by the Government to defend cii-
zcns of the United States on trial for
capital offences in Canada; and dis
continuance ot the prosecutions which
were instituted in the courts Of the Unt-
ed States against those who took part in
the expedition, has been directed.
THE FENIAN TROUBLES IN IRELAND.
| have regarded the expedition q.
not only political in its nature, but as
also In a great me sure foreign from the
United States III its causes, character
and objects, The attempt was understood
to be made in sympathy with an insur-
gent party in Ireland. and. by striking
at n British Province on This Continent,
was designed to aid in obtaining redress
for political grievances winch. 1t was as.
suned, the people of Ireland had suffer-
ed at the hands of the British Governs
meni duri' e period Of several centur.
les. The persons engaged in it were
chiefly natives OF that couptry, some of
whom had, while others had rot. become
citizens OF the United States under our
general laws of naturalization. Cons
plants OF m,sgovernment IN Ireland
continually engage tho attention of the
British nation, and so G eat an agitation
il now prevailing in Ireland that the
British Government have deemed il
necessary to suspend the writ of habsot
corpus in that country, These circnm.
stances must neceSsaulM ,modltyy the
opinion which we might otherwise have
entertained in regard to All expedi io,
expressly prohibited by our neutrality
laws. 81 long as those laws rem / upon
our s,atuIe-books, they should he faith,
fully executed, aud If they operate harsh.
ly, unjuS'|y. or opprcssively, Congress
alone can apply the remedy, by their
modification or repeal.
THE TROUBLE IN EASTERN EUROPE.
Political and co merclal interests OF
the United States are not unlikrlv IN h,