The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-12-11

In the month of April last, Congress is aware
friendly arrangement was made between the
Emperor of France and the President of the
United States for the withdrawal from Mexico
of the French expeditonary military forces.
This Withdrawal was to be effected in three
detachments, the first of which, it was under
stood would leave Mexico in November, now
past, the second in March next, and the third
and lastin November, 1867. Immediately upon
the completion of the evacuation. the French
Government was to assume the same attitude
OF non-lnterveuton, 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.
1t was reasonably expected that the proceed
ngs thus contemplated would produce crisis
of great political interest in the Republic of
Mexico. The newly-appointed Minister of the
y United States, Mr.. Campbell, was therefore sent
forward, on the 9th day of November last, to
assume his proper functions as Minister Pleni-
potentiary of the United States to that Repub-
lie. 1t was also thought eHpedient 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 determine
the course to be pursued by the United States
in re-establshing and maintaining necessary
and proper intercourse with the Republic of
Mexico. Deeply interested in the cause of hu-
manty, it seemed an obvious duty on our part
to exercise whatever influence we possessed for
the restoration and permanent establishment in
that country of domestic and republican gov-
ernment.
Such was the condition of affairs in regard to
Mexico, when on the 22d day 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 fwithdrawingthe 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 war taken to make its dissent
to the Emperor of France.
| cannot fOrgO the hope that France will con-
slider the subject, and adopt some resolution in
regard to the evacuation of Mexico which will
conform as nearly as practicable with the exist
ing engagement, and thus meet the just eYpec-
tatlOns of the United States. The papers rela-
ting to the subject will be laid before you. 1t
is believed that, with the evacuation of Mexico
by the eXpediiOnary forces, no subject for seri-
Gus differences between France and the United
States would remain. The expressions of the
Emperor and people of France warrant hope
that the tradltionary friendship between the
two countries might in that case be renewed and
permanently restored.
claim Of citizen of the United States for
indemnity for spolations committed on the high
seas by the French authority, in the exercise of
a bellgerent power against Mexico, has been
met by the Government of France with a pro-
position to defer settlement until mutual con-
ventlOn for the adjustment of all claims of citi-
zens and subjects of both countries, arising out
| of the recent wars on this continent, shall be
agreed upon by the two countries. The sug-
gastion is not deemed unreasonable, but it be-
longs to Congress to direct the manner in which
claims for indemnity by foreigners, as well as
by citizens of the United States, arising out of
the late civil war shall be adudicated and de-
termined. | have no doubt that the subject of
all such claims will engage your attention at a
convenient aud proper time.
1t is a matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made towards an adjustment
of the difference between the United States and
Great Britain, arising out of the depredations
upon our national commerce and other irespasses
committed by British subjects, in violation of
international law and treaty obligations. The
delay, however, may be believed to have re-
suited in small degree from the domestic
situation of Great Britain. An entire change
of ministry occurred in that country during the
last session of Parliament. The attention of the
new ministry was called to the subject at an
early day, and there is some reason TO expect
that it will now be considered in becoming
and friendly spirit. Theimportance of an early
disposition of the question can not be exaggerat-
ed. Whatever might be the wishes of the Gov
ernments,tis is manifest that good will andfriend-
ship between the two countries cannot be estab-
lshed until a reciprocity III the practice of good
faith and neutrality, shall be restored between
the respective nations.
On the 9th of June last, in violation of our
neutrality laws military expedition and en-
terprse against the British North American
Colonies was projected and attempted to be
carried on within the territory and Jurisdiction
of the United Stetes. In obedience to the obli-
CATION imposed upon the Executive by the Con-
Stituton. to see that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted,all citizens were warned by proclamation,
against taking part in or aiding such unlawful
proceedings, and the proper civil military and
naval officers were directed take all necessary
measures for the enforcement of the laws The
expedition failed, but it has not been without
It's painful consequences. Some of our citizens
who, it was alleged, were engaged in the expe-
dition, were captured, and have been brought
to trial, as for capital offense, in the Province
of Canada Judgment and sentence of death
have been pronounced against some,while others
have been acquitted Fully believing in the
maxim of Government, that severity of punish
ment for misguided persons who have engaged |
in revolutionary attempts which have disastrous
ly failed, is unsound and unwlse, such represen-
tatons having been made to the British Govern
ment, in behalf of the convicted persons, as. be-
ing sustained by an enlightened and humane
judgment, will, it is hopad, Induce in their cases
an exercise ofclemency and judicious amnesty
to all who were engaged in the movement.
Counsel has been employed by the Government
to defeud citizens of the United Statee on trial
for capital offenses in Canada and discontin-
uance of the prosecutions which were instituted
in the courts of the United States against those
who took part in the expedition, has been di-
rected.
| have regarded the expedition as pct only
political in its nature but as also in great mea-
sure foreign from the United States in It's causes.