Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-05

cannot forego the hope that France will
reconsider the subject, and adopt some Iesoiu-
ton in regard to the evacuation OF Mexico,
which will conform as nearly as practicable
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 evac-
uation of Mexico by the ex probationary forces
no subject for serious d differences between
France and ths United States would remain.
Tho expressions of the Emperor and people Of
France warrant a hope that the tradltlonary
friendship between the two countries might In
that case be renewed and permanently restor-
ed.
A claim OF a citizen of the United States for
indemnity for spoilations committed on the
high seas by the French authorities, in the ex-
ercise of q beligerent power against Mexico
has been met by the government of Francs
with q proposition to defer settlement until a
mutual convention for the adjustment of ell
claims of citizens and subjects of both coun-
tries, arising out Of the recent wars on this
Continent, shall be agreed upon by the two
countries. The suggestion is not deemed I'M
reasonable, bat it belongs to Congress TO d.
rect 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 ~ar,
shall be adjudicsted and determined | nave
no doubt that the subject of all such claims
will engage our attention st i convenient and
proper time.
IL is q matter OF regret that no considerable
advance has been made towards an adjustment
o. the differences between the United States
and Great Britain, arising cut OF the de lreda-
tons upon our national and oihtr
trespassss committed during our civil war, by
British subj scts, in violation OF international
law and treaty Obligations. The delay, how
ever, may be believed to have resulted IN no
small degree from the domestic situation o.:
Great Britain. An entire change OF ministry
occurred IN that country curing The las. ses-
sion of Parliament. The attention OF The new
ministry Was called 10 the subj=cC at an earl,
day, anu there is some reason 10 exp CT that /
will now be con siderered in a becoming ana
friendly spirit Inc importance Of an carry
disposition OF the question cannot oc cXaSger-
aled. Whatever might be TIE wishes CT tne
two governments, II is d .nitest that good VII
and friendship between the tvo countries can
not be esta ,Iisned until i reciprocity, in the
practice Of good iatth and neu;r-Aly, Sh4i! be
restored between the respective rators.
Ga the On of June last, In violation y; our
neutrality laws, II military expedlIon and en-
terprise against the British North American
Colonies WAS projected and attempted TO oe
carried ON within the territory and luiI>GIr.ion
of the United States. la obed e4ce to the OBJ
Iiga,iou lmpo sed upon the Executive by The
Constitution, TO see that The laws are faithfully
executed, all CITIZENS were warned, by procla-
nation, against taking part in or aiding suca
unlawful proceedings, and the proper civil,
military, aud naval officers were directed 10
lake all necessary measures for tie enforcement
Of the laws Inc e~xpIduion fai.ed, out II has
not beec without ID raIn!u. consequences
5 me of our citizens who. il was alleged, Were
engaged in the expedition, were captured, and
n,ve been brought TO trial, as Tor a capita!
of-nSe, ia tie Province OF CtnaGa. Judgment
and sentence OF death have been pronounced
ag.iust some, while others have been acqItt-
ted.
Fully believing in the maxim Of government,
that severity Of civil punishment tor misguided
persons who have engaged 10 revolutionary at
Temps which has dlsaslrousiy failed, is uusound
and unwIse, such representations have been
made {, the British GJvrrument, IN behalf UI
the convicted persons, as, being sustained by
an enlightened and humane judgment, viii il
Is ho ped, induce IN theIr Cases al exercise OF
clemency, and a juQiclou. amnesty 10 all who
were engaged IN the movement. Counsel pa
been EN- p!oyed by the government ~ defend
cu.xe rs OF the United States on trial 10; capital
Ufenses IL Canada and a GiscOutlnuance OF
the prosecutions winch were instituted N the
courts Of The United States against those VIII
TOOK part n the expedition, has been directed.
| have regarded the t~xpedluou as not only
political 10 It's ma ure, but as also IN Il great
measure foreign from the United States 10 lis
Causes, ch.rac.er and objects. The attempt
was understood 10 be MADE in sympathy WIN
an ipsurgent party IN lrelaad. and, by striking
ct = sjtitt7u lrU,tnrc On tnIz Cvnt.nout, w4>
designed 10 aid in obtaining redress for political
grievances which, it was assumed, tue people OF
ireland had suffered at the hands Of The BRITISH
L.. 1870 " aA-FA-
RES. The persons engaged in II were chiefly
natives II that c0uutrN some Il whom mad,
While others had MOI. become Cit zeEs of the
U0ited States under our genera ! vs. OF uatu-
r.llE.uon- Complaints OF mlsgovernmsnt 10
Ireland continually Engage the attentlon oi The
British nation, and SO great an agltatlcn Is now
prevailing IL Ireland that the British Govern
ment have deemed ii Necessary u suspend the
writ otha5eas corpus in ttat country.
These circumstances must neceeari me
dify the opin on when We might otherwise
nava entertained In regard To an expedition
expressly prohibited by our neutrality laws,
~ long - those laws remain upon our stat
uto-oooks, they should be carefully executed,
and II they operate harshly, npJustiy, or OF
preeslveiy, Congress alone Can apply the
remedy, by their modification CT appeal.
Pohtlcai and commercial In.eres,s of the
United States are not unlikely 10 be affected
I'll some degree by events which are trane pI:
Ing In the eastern regions OF EdrVfe, anu the
Ii ue see . 8 to have come when our Govern
ment ought TO have IL proper diploma lc rel
resentatlon In Greece.
This government has claim-d fer all persons
not convicted, or accused, or suspected oferInei
an absolute political right of eelt-expstr!atIon
and d choice of new national aiieglanct. Most,
OF the Euro pean States have 0isseuted from
this principle, anu have claimed a right to
hold such of Their subjects as have Immigrated
TO and been natural zed in the United SIates
and aft wards returned on transient vi>I-S 10
their native countries, 10 the performance OF
military service IN like manner as resident sub
JectS. Complains arising from the Claim IL
this respect made by foreign States, have here
lofOre been matters OF controversy between The
UniIed States aud some of The European Pow
ers, and the irritation consequent upcn the
failure TO settle this question increased during
the war in Which Prussis, LAZY and Austria Were
recently engaged. While Great Britain mas
never acknowledged the right OF eXpatriatlon
abe has not practically insisted upon 1t. France
has b, en- equally ioi bearing anu Prussia has
propose a com pron; ise, which, although esln-
rins Increased llberaiity. has not been accepted
by the United States. Peace Is now preva.nrg
everywhere in Europe, aud The present seems
10 b a favorable time foi al assertion by Con
gress OF the primo pc, so loi & maintained BY
the Executive Department. luat naturalization
by one State FULLY .xempts the Estve-oorn sub
ject of any other State from the Performance
Of military serv &c under any foreign govern.
ment, SO long as he does not Voluntarily re.
nonce It's rights and benefits
In the performance OF u dnty imposed upon
me by Inc Constitution, l have thus submitteo
to the Representatives of the States and OF III.
People suon information Vt our dYmesic and