Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-06

Such was the condition ol affairs III re-
gard to Mexico when on the 22d OF N"'r'n.
her last official Information was recriVd
IRON 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 OF those
forces in the ensuing spring. Of this de-
termination, however, the United States
had not received any notice or lntlmatIon
and, so soon as the information was recelV-
ed by the Government, care was-taken 10
make known it's dissent TO the Emperor OF
France. A
cannot foregoe the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt
some resolution in regard to the evacua-
ton of Mexico which will conform as near
" as practicable with the existing engage
ment, and thus meet the just expectations
sf 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 eXpedtionary forces, no
subject for serious differences between
France and the United States would re-
main The expressions of the Emperor
! and people Of France warrant hope that
the Evolutionary friendship between the
two countries might in that case be re-
newed and permanently restored.
| A claim of a citizen Of the United States
| for indemnity for spoilations committed on
! the high seas by the French authorizes, in
the exercise Of belligerent power against
! Mexico. has been met by the Government
| of France with proposition 10 defer settle
ment until mutual convention for the ad.
! iustment of all claims of citizens and sub
! iects 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 adjudicated and determined.
have no doubt that the subject of all
convenient and proper time.
1t is matter of regret that no consider
able advance has been made towards an
adjustment of the differences between the
| United States and Great Britain, arising
out Of the depredations upon our national
commerce and other trespasses committed
! by British subjects, in violation OF inter-
national law aud treaty obligations. The
delay, however, may be believed to have
rceulted in no small degree from the do
mcstic situation of Great Britain An
/ entire change of ministry occurred in that
/ country during the last session of Paria-
mrHt The attent on of the new ministry
| waa called to the subject at an early day,
and there is some reason to expect that it
! will now be considered in a becoming and
friend Y spirit, The Importance Of an ear
| " disposition # the question cannot be ex-
/ aggeratcd. Whatever might be the wish
/ es Of the Governments, If is manifest that
| goodwill and friendship between the two
/ countries cannot be established until a re-
| ciprocity, 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, a military expedition
! and enterprise against the British North
American Colonies was projected and at
tempted to be carried on within the terri
tory and jurisdiction of the United States
In obedience to the obligation imposed up
on the Executive by the Constitution, to
see that the luws are faithfully executed
all citizens were warned, by proclamation,
against taking part in or aiding such IN
lawful proceedings. and the proper civil,
military, and naval officers were directed
/ to take all necessary measures for the en-
/ forcemcnt Of the laws. The expedition
failed but it has not been without its pain
ful consequences. Some of our citizens
who, it was alleged, were engaged in the
expedition, were captured, and have been
brought to trial, as for capital offense,
in the Province of Canada Judgment
and sentence of death have been pronounce
ed against some, while others have been
acquitted Fully believing in the maxim
of Government, that severity OF civil pun
ishment for misguided persons who have
engaged in revolutionary attempts which
have disastrously failed is unsound and
unwise, such representations having been
made to the British Government, in behalf
of the convicted persons, as, being sustain
ed by an enlightened and humane
Judgment, will, it is hoped, induce
il their cases an exercise of clemency and
a Judlclous amnesty to all who were en-
gagged in the movement. Counsel has been
employed by the Government to defend
citizens of the United States on trial for
capital offences in Canada and a discon-
tinuance of the prosecutions which were
instituted in the courts Of the United States
against those who took part in the expe-
dition has been directed
| have regarded the expedition as not
only political in its nature, but as also in
great measure foreign from the United
States in its causes, character, and objects.
The attempt was understood to be made in |
sympathy with an insurgent party in Ire |
land, and, by striking at British Province |
on this Continent was designed to aid in |
obtaining redress for political grievances
which, it was assum d the people of Ire
land had suffered at the hands ST the Brit
ish Government during period of several |
centuries. The persons engaged in it were |
chiefly natives of that country, some of
whom had, while others had not, become
citizens of the United States under our
general laws of naturalization Complaints |
of misgovernment in Ireland continually |
engage the attention Of the British nation, |
and so great an agitation is now prevail
ing in Ireland that the British Government
have deemed If npcnssarv to suspaod +bo !