The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-12-11

nonted Mnister of the United States Mr. Campbell,
was therefore forward, the 9Th day OF November
last to assume proper functions Minister flel-
potentiary of the United States to that Republic 1t
was also thought xpedient that he should be attended
in the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieutenant General OF
the Army of the United States with the View OF obtain
ing such information as might be important to deter
mine the to be pursued by the United States IN
re-esablshng and maintaining necessary and proper
intercourse with the Republic of Mexico. Deeply in
terested in the of liberty and humanity seemed
an obvious duty part to exercise whatever in
uence possessed for the restoration and permanent
establishment that country of domestic and repub-
lican form of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in regard Mexico,
when, the 22d of November last official information
received from Paris that the Emperor of France
| had some time before decided not to withdraw a de-
tachment of his forces in the month of November past,
according to engagement, but that this decision
made with the purpose of Withdrawing the whole OF
those forces in the ensuing spring OF this determine
tion however the United States had not received any
intimation and the information received
by the Government. was taken to make known Its
dissent to the Emperor OF France
cannot orego the hope that France will reconsider
the subject and adopt resolution in regard to the
evacuation OF Mexico which will conform nearly as
practicable with the existing engagement, and thus
the just expectations of the United States. The
papers relating the subject will be laid before you.
1t is believed that, with the execution of Mexico by
the expedtonary forces subject for serious differ
ences between France and the United States would
main. The expressions of tie Emperor and people of
France warrant hope that the Evolutionary friendship
between the two countries mig ht in that be
newed and permanently restored
claim Of citizen of the United States for indem-
nifty for spoliaons committed the high by the
French authorities, i'll the exercise of belligerent
power against Mexico, has been met by the Govern
ment OF France with proposition to defer settlement
until mutual convention for the adjustment of all
claims of citizens and subjects both countries arising
of the recent this continent, shall be agreed
upon by the two countries. The suggestion Deem
ed unreasonable but it belongs Congress to direct
the in which claims for indemnity by foreign
els, well as by citizens of the United States, arising
out of the late civil war, shall be adjudcaed and de-
termned l have doubt that the subject of all such
claims will engage your attention at a convenient and
proper time.
1t is matter of regret that no considerable advance
has been made towards ad ustment of the differences
between the United States and Great Britain arising
out of the Expectations upon national commerce
and other espassrs committed during civil war by
British sui ccs. in violation of internal law and treaty
| obligations. The delay, however, may be believed
have resulted in small degree from the domestic Sit
uaon of Great Britain. An entire change of ministry
occurred i'll that country during the last session of Par
lament The attention OF the new ministry called
to the subject early day. and there is
to expect that it will be considered in becoming
and friendly spirit The Importance of an early dispo-
stion of the question cannot be exaggerated. What
might be the wishes of the two Governments it is
manifest that goodwill and friendship between the
countries cannot be established until a reciprocity shall
be restored between the respective nations
On the 9th of June last in violation Of neutrality
laws military expedition and enterprise against the
British North American Colonies prOje cted and at
tempted to be carried within the territory and urs
diction of the United States In obedience to the obi
cation imposed upon the Executive by the Constitution.
to that the laws faithfully executed, all citizens
We're warned, by proclamation against taking part in
or aiding such unlawful proceedings. and the proper
civil, military, and naval officers directed to take
all necessary for the enforcement of the laws
The expedition failed but has been without its
| painful consequences Some of our citizens who it
was alleged, Were engaged in the expedition, cap
tured and have been brought trial. for capital
| offence, III the Province OF Canada. Judgment and
sentence OF death have been pronounced against
while others have been acquitted Fully believing in
the maxim of government that severity of civil punish
ment for misguided persons Who have engaged in
lutionary attempts which have disasousy failed, is
unsound and unwise. such representations have been
made to the British Government, i'll behalf of the
viced persons. as, being sustained by enlightened
and humane Judgment, will, it is hoped induce in their
cases an exercise of clemency and udicous amnesty
| to all who were engaged i'll the movement Counsel
has been employed by the Government to defend ct-
zens OF the United States on trial for capital offences in
Canada and discontnuance of the prosecutions which
instituted in the courts of the IT, States against
those who took part in the expedition has been directed
have regarded the expedition not only political
in Its nature, but as also in great forg"ign
from the United States in its causes character and OBJ
jrcts. The attempt was understood to be made in sym
pahy with an nsrgent party in Ireland, and by strik
! ing at British Province this Continent was de-
signed to aid in obtaining redress for political grcv
ances which was assumed the people of Ireland had
suffered at the hands of the British Government during
period OF several centuries The persons engaged in
it were chiefly natives of that country, of whom
had while others had not, become citizens fthe United
States under our general laws OF Naturalization Com
| plants of misgovernment in Ireland continually en-
gage the attention of the British nation, and great
agitation is now prevailing in Ireland that the British
Government have deemed it necessary suspend the
writ OF habeas corpus in that country These crcum
stances must necessarily modify the opinion which we
might otherwise have entertained in regard expe
dition expressly prohibited by neutrality laws So
long as thUse laws remain upon satute-books they
should be faithfully executed and if they operate harsh
~. u1yusy or oppressivty, Congress alone apply
| the remedy. by their mod alton or repeal.
| infer, & Tho tod
States not unlikely to be affected in degree by
events which are transporting in the regions of
| Europe and the time seems to have come when our
Governmt mt ought to have proper diplomatic rerresen
tation in Greece.
This Government has claimed for all persons
Vlced or accused, or suspected of crime, absolute
political right OF seize xpatratiCn, and choice of new
national allegiance. Most the European States have
dissentcd from this principle, and have claimed right
to hold such OF their subjects have imm grated
and been naturaZed in. the United States and after
wards returned transient visits their native coun-
tries the performance of military service in like man
resident subjects Complaints arising from the
claim in this respect made by foreign States, have here
ofoe been matters of controversy between the United
States and of the European Powers, and the irr
taton conseqrnt upon the failure settle this question
increased during the in which Prussia Italy, and
Austria were recently engaged
While Great Britain has acknowledged the
right of exparation she has practically insisted up
on it. France has been equally torbearing; and Prus-
STA has proposed compromise which, although evinc-
ing increased beraity, has not been accepted by the
United States. Peace is now prevailing everywhere in
Europe, and the present to be favorable time
tor an assertion by Congress of the principle long
maintained by the Executive Department that natural
zatIon by che State fully exempts the native-bon sub