American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-12-12
NUMBER 2,

L
tested against the project as one which,
If consummated, would reduce them to a
bondage even more oppressive 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
Will meet neither its encouragement nor
approval. 1t isa question worthy of your
consideration, whether our laws upon this
su Ject are adequate to the prevention or
punishment of the crime thus meditated.
In the month of April last as Congress
is aware, friendly arrangement was made
between the Emperor of France and the
President OF tire United States for the
withdrawal from Mexico of the French
expeditionary military forces This with.
drawal was to be effected in three detach-
ments the first of which, it was UNDER
stood, would leave Mexico in November,
now past, the second in March next, and
the third aud last in November, 1867
Immediately upon the completion of the
evacuation, the French Government was
to assume the same attitude of non inter-
vention, 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 evacua-
tlon within the period mentioned or a,nes
1t was easonably expected that the
proceedings thus contemplated would pre-.
duce crisis of great political interest in
the Republic of Mexico. The newly
appointed Minister of the United States,
Mr.. Campbell, was therefore sent for ward,
on the 9th day of November last to as
sumo his proper functions az Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States to
that Republic. 1t was also thought ex-
pedient 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 obtaining such
information as might be important TO de,
termine the course to be pursued BY the
United States in re establishing and main
tanning necessary and proper intercourse
with the republic of Mexico Deeply in,
terested in the cause of liberty and hui
manity, it tseemed IN obvious duty on our
part to exercise whatever influence wa
possessed for the restoration and perma-
nent establishment in that country of .
domestic and republican form Of govern
| meGt.
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 decided not
to withdraw detachment of his forces
in the month of November past, accord
ing to engagement, but that this decision
was made with the purpose Of withdraw
ing the whole Of those forces in the en-
suing spring. OF this determination,
however, .he United States had not re-
ceived my notice OF intimation and, 80
s1on as the information was received by
the Government, care was taken 10 make
known its dissent to the Emperor Of
France.
cannot forego the hope that France
will reconsider the subject. and adopt
some resolution in regard to the evacua.
tion of Mexico which will conform as
nearly as practicable with the existing
engagement, and thus meet the just ex-
Rotations 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 expedition
AIRY forces, no subject for serious differ
ences between France and the United
States would remain. The expressions of
the Emperor and people of France var
rant hope that the traditionary friend
ship between the two countries might in
that case be renewed and permanently
restored.
| A clsim of citizen Of the United
/ States for indemnity for spoliations COM
mitted on the high seas by the French
authorities, in the exercise of bellig-
ereut power against Mexico, has been
met by the Government of France vith
a prorosition 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 suggestion is not
deemed unreasonable but it belongs to
Congress to direct the manner in which
claims for indemnity by foreigners, as
we'll as by citizens of the United States
arising out of the late civil war. shall be
abjudicated and determined. / have no
doubt that the subject Of all such claims
will engage your attention at conTenis
ent and proper time.
1t is a matter of regret that no cop-
siderable advance has been made towards
al adjustment Of the differences between
the United States and Great Britain,
arising cut of the depredotions upon our
national Commerce and other trespasses
committed during our civil war by Brit,
ish subjects, in violation of international
law and treaty obligations. The delay,
however, may he believed to have resul
ted in no small degree from the domestic
situation of Great Britain. An entire
change of ministry occurred in thai
country during the last session Of ,Parli-
ment. The attention Of the new minis
try was called to the subject at an early
/ day, and there is some reason to expect
that it will now be considered in becom-
ing and friendly spirit. The Importance
of an early disposition of the question
cannot be exaggerated. Whatever NIGH
be the wishes of the two Governments, il
| ia manifest that rood will and and friend