Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-12-12


from the Government of the State in which
the plan was matured, that the proceeding
will meet neither its encouragement nor ap
proval. 1t isa question worthy of your con
slderation, whether our laws upon this sub
| lect are adequate to the prevention or pun
lshment of the crime thus meditated.
| In the month of April last, as Congress il
aware, a friendly arrangement was made be.
tween the Emperor of France and the Pres
ident of the United States for the withdraw.
al from Mexico of the French expedition.
ary military forces This withdrawal was to
be effected in three detachments the first OF
which, it was understood, would leave Mex
leo in November, now past, the second in
March next, and the third and last in No
vember, 1867. Immediately upon the com.
pletion of the evacuation, the French Gov
ernment was to assume the same attitude OF
non-intervention, in regard to Mexico as is
held by the Government of the United
States Repeated assurances have been Civ
en- by the Emperor, since that agreement,
that he would complete the promised evac-
uation within the period mentioned, or soon
er.
It wassreasonably expected that the pro-
ceedings thus contemplated would produce a
crisis of great political interest in the Re
public of Mexico. The new ew-appointed Min
ister of the United States, Mr. Campbell,
was therefore sent forward, on the 9th day
of November last, to assume his proper func-
tions as Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States to that Republic 1t was also
thought expedient that he should be attend
ed In the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieu
tenant General of the Army of the United
States, with the view of obtaining such in
formation as might be important to deter
mine the course to be pursued by the United
States in re-establishing and maintaining
necessary and proper intercourse with the
Republic of Mexico. Deeply interested in
the cause of liberty and humanity, it seemed
an obvious duty on our part to exercise
whatever influence we possessed for the res
toration and permanent establishment in
that country of a domestic and republican
form Of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in re-
gard to Mexico, when, on the 22d of No
vember last, official information was received
from Paris that the Emperor of France had
some time before decided not to withdraw a
detachment of his forces in the month of
November past, according to engagement,
but that this decision was made with the
purpose Of Withdrawing the whole force in
the ensuing spring OF this determination,
however, the United States had not received
any notice or intimation; and, as soon as the
information was received by the Govern
ment, care was taken to make known its dis
sent to the Emperor of France.
L cannot forego the hope that France will
reconsider the subject, and adopt some res
olution in regard to the evacuation of Mex
leo which viii conform as nearly as practica-
bic 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 evacuation of Mexico by the expe-
dictionary forces, no subject for serious diff
ferences between France and the United
States would remain. The expressions of
the Emperor and people of France warrant
a hope that the traditionary friendship be-
tween the two countries might in that case
be renewed and permanently restored.
A claim of citizen of 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 settle
ment until mutual convention for the ad-
justment of all claims of citizens and sub
jects 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 well as by the citizens of the United
States, arising out of the late civil war shall
be adjudicated and determined. | have no
doubt that the subject Of all such claims
will engage your attention at convenient
and proper time.
1t is a matter of regret that no conside-a-
h1a o1r hoe haan YnoIa oI
justment of the differences between the
United States and Great Britain, arising out
of the depredations upon our national COM
merce and other trespasses committed dur
ing our civil war by British subjects, in vio-
lation of international law and treaty obi
cations The delay, however, may be
believed to have resulted in no small degree
from the domestic situation of Great Brit
ain. An entire change of ministry occurred
in that country during the last session of
Parliament. The attention of the new min
istry 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. The importance of an early
of the question cannot be exag-
gerated. Whatever might be the wishes of
the two Governments, it is manifest that
goodwill and friendship between the two
countries cannot be established until reel
procity, In 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
enterprise against the British North Amer
lean Colonies was projected and attempted
to be carried on within the territory and
jurisdiction of the United States In obe-
dience to the obligation 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 proceedings,
and the proper civil, military and naval Off
GERS were directed to take all necessary
for the enforcement of the laws.
The expedition failed, but it has not been
without its painful consequences Some of
our citizens who, it was alleged, were engag-
ed in the expedition, were captured, and
have been brought to trial, as for capital
IL D-o-..a of GapoAo