The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-12-11


whatever influence we possess for the
restoration and permanent establishment
in that country of domestic and repub-
lican form Of government.
Such was the condition of affairs in
regard to Mexico, when on the 22d of
November last, official information was
received from Paris that the Emperor OF
France had some time before d cided not
TO Withdraw detachment of his forces
in the month Of November past, according
10 engagement, but that this decision
was made with the purpose Of withdraw
ing the whole of those forces in the ensu
ing Spring. of this determination, how
ever, the United States had not received
any notice or intimation and, 50 soon
as the Information was received by the
Government, care was taken to make
known its dissent to the Emperor of
France.
/ cannot forcgo the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt
some resolution in regard to the evacua-
ton of Mexico which will conform as
nearly as practicable with the existing
engagement, and thus meet the Just ex.
pectations of tho United States. The
papers relating to the subject will be laid
before you. 1t is believed that, with the
evacuation of Mexico by the expedition
AIRY forces, no subject for serious differences
between France and the United States
would remain. The expressions of the
Emperor and people of France warrant
hope that the tradtionary friendship
between the two countries might in that
case be renewed and permanently restored.
A claim of a citizen OF the United
States for indemnity for spoilaions com
milted on the high seas bv the French
authorities, in the exercise of II belligcrcnt
power of Mexico, has been met by the
government of France with proposition
to defer settlement until mutual conven-
tion for the adjustment of all claims of
citizens and subjects of both countries,
arising out OF the recent wars on this
Continent, shall be agreed upon by the
two countries. The suggestion is not
dc m d IN reasonable, but 1t belongs to
Congress 20 direct the manner in which
claims for in lcmity by foreigners, as well
as by the citizens Of tho 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 q convenient
and proper time.
1t is a matter of regret that no consid-
cradle advance has been made toward an
adjustment of the differences between the
United States and Great Britain, arising
out of the deprcdations upon our national
commerce and other trespasses committed
by British subjects. in violation of inter.
national law and treaty obligations. The
delay, however. may be believed to have
resulted in no small degree from the
domestic situation Of Great Britain Ar
!. entire change Of ministry occurred in tina
country during the last session of parla
mcnt. The attention of the new ministry
was called to the subject at AN early day
: and there is some reason TO expect that i
: will now be considered in n becoming AM
: friendly spirit. III C Importance of al
, carly disposition of tie question cannot b.
Il exaggerated, Whatever night be tn
c wishes of the two Governments, 1t
Il manifest that goodwill and fricn lshp be
tween the two countries cannot be cstab
Z lishcd until reciprocity. in the practic
n Of good faith and neutrality, shall b
J, restored between the respective nation,
IL On the 9Th Of June last, in violation {
= our neutrality laws, Il military expcditio
and enterprise against British Mort
It American Colonies WAS projected and Al
l. tempted to be carried on within the terr
e tory and jurisdiction of the United Sta
J. tcs. In icnce t, the ojligalio
If imposed upon the Executive by I'll
n Constitution, to see that the laws al
1t faithfully executed, all ciliz 'ns wei
|, warned, by proclamation, against takir
lc part in or aiding such unlawful proceed
'c ings and the proper civil, military, an
e naval officers were directed 10 take n
" necessary measures for the enforcement
Of the laws The expedition failed, but
Is has not been without It's painful cons,
le quences. Some of our citizens who,
he was alleged, were engaged in the expcd
ton, were captured, an have been brougl
SIS to trial, as for a capital offence, in III
rs Province of Canada. Judgement an
,e sentence Of death have been pronounce
es against some, while Others have bee
lie acquitted. Fully believing in the maxi
S. Of Government, that verify of civil pun
in ishment Tor misguided persons who ha,
1t engaged in revolutionary attempts whC
in have disastrOusy faded, is unsound al
ii unwise, such representations having bee
r, made to the British Government, in bcha
N Of the convicted persons, as, being sustain
nj ed by an enlightened and human judgmen
4 will, it is hoped, induce in their cases a
is exercise of clemency. md judiciol
ID amnesty 10 all who were engaged in Il
n movem Mt. Cours has been employe
c. by the Government to defend citizens
n the Uni ed States on trial for capital offel
a ces in Canada and disconinuancc
the prosecutions which were instituted
,e the courts of the United States again
Id those who took part in the expedition, h;
st been directed
y have regarded the expedition MS n,
$, only political in its nature, but as als1
i, n great measure foreign from the Unite
L