Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-12-11
NO. Is.
ziz.s, Aaantse 7sleqrapk.

1ne enIlIe success OF tue Atlantic Iele-
graph between the coast of Irelaud and the
Province OF New Fouhdland, is an achieves
lnent which has been justly celebrated in
both hemispheres as the opening of an era in
the progress OF civilization. There is reason
to.expect that equal success will attend. aud
even greater results follow, the enterprise for
Connecting the two continents through the
Pacific 0eean by the projected line of tele-
graph between kamschatka and the Russian
possessions in America.
Pardons Jy Foreiga Goreraments.
The resolution of Congress protesting
persons convicted of Infamous offences. on
condition of emigration to our country. has
been communicated to the States with which
we maintain intercourse, and the practice. so
justly the subject of complaint on our part.
has not been renewed.
Congratulations to Russia.
The congratulations Of Congress to the
Emperor of Russia, upon his escape from at
tempted assassination; have beenp presentedto'
that humane anda enlightened ruler, and re<l
ceiyed by him with expressions Of grateful.
appreciation.
Emigration of freedmen.
The Executive, warned Of an attempt by
Spanish American adSentnrers toinduce the
emigration Of freedmen Of the United States
to q foreign country, pTotested against the
project as one which, If consummatcds Hoald
reduce them 10 bondage even more oppresl
sive than that from which they have Just been
relieved. Assurance has, been received from
the government of the State in which the
plan, was matured, that the proceeding viii
meet neither its encouragement nor approval.
It is question worthy of your consideration,
whether our laws upon this subject are ades.
quate to the prevention or punishment Of the
crime thus meditated.
,;a MerseGa 46afrs.
In the month of April last. as CONGRESS Is
aware, a friendly arrangement was made be-
tween the Emperor of France and the Pres,
ident of the United States for the withdrawal
from Mexico of the French military expedis
tlonary forces, This withdrawal was 10 be
effected in three detachments, the first of
which, it was understood would leave Mexico
IN November, now past, the second in March
next, aud 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-intervcn-
tion, in regard to Mexico, as is held by the
Government of the United States. Repeated
assurances have been given by the Emperor,
since that agreement, that he would complete
the promised evacuation within the period
mentioned, or sooner. 80
1t was reasonably expected that the pro-
ceedlngs thus contemplated would produce a
crisis of great politicul interest in the Re-
public of Mexico. The newly appointed
Minister of the United States, Nlr. 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 Gem
eral OF the Army of the United States. with
the view of obtaining such information as
might be important to determine the course
to be pursued by the Tinted States in rees-
tablishing and maintaining necessary and bro.
per intercourse with the Republic of Mexico.
Deeply interested in the cause of liberty and
humanity, 1T seemed an obvious duty on our
part to exercise whatever influence we pos
sessed for the restoration and permanent es-
tabilshment IN that country of domestic and
republican form of government. Such was
the condition of affairs In 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 de-
cided not to withdraw detachment of his
forces In the month of November past. ac-
cording to engagement, but that this decision
was made with the purpose OF Withdrawing
the whole of those forces in the ensuing
spring. OF this determination, 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 dissenE to the EN-,
pefor of France. 80
II cannot forego the hope that France will
reconsider' the subject, and adopt some sreso-
luton In regard to the evacuation of Mexico
which wall conform as nearly as practicable
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 evae-
uation of Mexico by the expeditionary forces,
no subject for serious difference between
Trance and the United States would remain.
The expressions of the Emperor and people
of France warrant hope that the traditioparv
friendship between the two countries might
in that case be renewed and permanently
restored
A claim of citizen 6f the United States
for indemnity for spoliations committed on the
high seas by the French authorities, in The
exercise of beligerent power against Mexico.
has been met BY the Government of France
with proposition TO defer settlement until a
mutual convention 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 agreed upon bv the two
countries. Tho suggestion Is not deemed un-
reasonable, but 1t belohgs to Congress 10
direct the manner IN which claims Tor indem.
nifty by foreigners, Is well as by citizens of the
limited States, arising out of the late civil war.
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