Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-12-11
NUMBER XIV.

you, 1t is believed that, with the evacuation
| OF mexico Dy the expeditionary forces, no SUBJ
| Ject for serious difference between France and
| the United States would remain. The express
sions of the Emperor and people of France war
rant 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 ex-
erclse OF a bell1gerent power against Mexico,
has been met by the Government of France
with proposition to defer settlement until
mutual convention for the adjustment of all
claims of citizens and subjects ofboth 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 such claims will engage your at
tention at convenient and proper time.
GREAT BRITAIN AFFAIRS.
1t is a matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made towards an adjustment
of the differences between the United States
and Great Britain, arising out of the depreda-
tOns upon our national commerce and other
trespasses committed during our civil war by
British subjects, In violation of international
law and treaty obligations. The delay, however,
may be believed to have resulted Ill no small
degree from the domestic situation of Great
Britain. An entire change of ministry occurr-
ed 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 1t will now
be considered in becoming and friendly spirit.
The importance of an early disposition of the
question cannot be exaggerated: Whatever
might be the wishes of the two Governments,
tits manifest that good will and friendship
between the two countries cannot be establish
ed until reciprocity, In the practice of good
faith and neutrality, shall be restored between
the respective nations.
tae 9as ee THE FENIANs. 90
On the 9th of June last, in violation of our
neutrality laws, a military expedition and enter
prise againstth British North America Colonies
was projected and attempted to be carried on
within the territory and jurisdiction of the
United States In obedience to the obligation
imposed upon the Executive by the the Consti-
tuition, to see that the laws are faithfully ex-
ecuted, all citizens were warned by proclama-
ton; against taking part IN or aiding such un-
lawful proceedings, and the proper, civil, militia
ry, and naval officers were directed to take all
necessary measures for the enforcement of the
laws The expedition failed, but it has not
been without its painful consequence. Some of
our citizens who, it was alleged, were engaged
in the expedition. were captured, and have been
brought to trial as for a capital offence in the
province of Canada Judgment and sentence
of death have been pronounced against some,
while others have been acquitted. Fully believ-
ing in the maxim of government that severity
of civil punishment for misguided persons who
have engaged in revolutionary attempts which
have disastrously failed is unsound and unwise,
such representations have been made to the
British Government, in behalf of the convicted
persons, as, being sustained by an enlightened
and humane judgment, will, it is hoped induce
in their cases an exercise of clemency, and judi
cious amnesty to all who were engaged 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 discontinuance 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. anfH 81
| 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 part in Ireland, and, by striking
at a British province on this continent, was de-
signed to aid in obtaining redress for political
grievances which, it was assumed, the people of
Ireland had suffered at the hands of the British
Government during period OF several centuries.
The persons engaged in it were chiefly natives
of that country, some ofwhom had, while others
had not, become citizens of the United States
under our general laws Standardization Com
plants of misgovernment in Ireland continually
engage the attention of the British nation, and
so great agitation is now prevailing in Ireland
that the British Government have deemed it
necessary to suspend the writ of hdbeas corpus
in that country. These circumstance must
necessarily modify the opinion which we might
otherwise have entertained in regard to an ex-
pedition expressly prohibited by our neutrality
laws. So long as those laws remains upon our
statute books they should be faithfully execu-
ted, and if they operate hastily, unjustly or OPP
pressively, Congress alone can apply the remedy
by their modification or repeal.
Political and commercial interests of the Uni
ted States are not unlikely to be affected In
some degree by events which are transpiring in
the eastern regions of Europe, and the time
seems to have come when our Government ought
to have a proper diplomatic representation in
Greece. ~
This Government has claimed for all persons
not convicted, or accused, or suspected of crime
an absolute political right of self-e4patriation,
and choice of new national allegiance Most
of the European States have dissented from
this principle, and have claimed right to hold
such of their subjects as have immigrated to
and been naturalized In the United States, and
afterwards returned on transient visits to their
native countries, to the performance of military
service in like manner as resident subjects
Complaints arising from the claim in this re-
spect made by foreign States, have heretofore
been matters OF controversy between the United
States and some of the European Powers, and
the irritation consequent upon the failure to
settle this question increased during the war in
which Prussia, Italy, and Austria were recent
ly engaged. While Great Britain has never
acknowledged the right of expatriation, she has
not practically insisted upon it. France has
been equally forbearing and Prussia has pro-
posed a compromise, which, although evincing
increased hberality, has not been accepted by
the United States. Peace is now prevailing
everywhere in Europe, and the present seems
to be favorable time for an assertion by Con-
gress of the principle, so long maintained by
the Executive Department, that naturalization
by one State fully exempts the ative-born sub
ject of any other State from the performance
of military service under any foreign Govern
ment, so long as he does not voluntarily renounce
it's rights and benefits.
CONCLUSION
In the performance of duty imposed upon
me by the Constitution, / have thus submitted
to the Representatives of the States and of the
People such information of our domestic and
for ffoirc tbo ,>,bEo