The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-10

people q rule more absolute, harsh and tyr8nnic Al
than any known to civilized power.
The acquisition of Alaska was made with the
view Of extending national jurisdiction and repub-
ncan principles in the American hemisphere. Be-
heying that further step could be taken in the
same direction, I last year entered into a treaty
with the king OF Denmark for the purchase of the
islands of ST. Thomas and St John on the best
terms then attainable and with the express con-
sent of the people OF those Islands. This treaty
still remains under consideration the Senate. A
new convention has been entered into with Den
mark enlsrging the time fixed for 6nal ratification
Of the original treaty. Comprehensive national
policy would seem to sanction tire acqusition.and
incorporation into our federal Union of the
ersl adjacent continental and insuar commu.
mites as speedily as 1t can be done peace
fully, lawfully and without any violation of
national justice, faith or honor. Foreign posses
sion or control OF those communities has hitherto
hindered the government and impaired the iu6l-
ence OF the United States. Chronic revelation
and anarchy there would be equally injurious.
Each one OF them, when firmly established as an
Independent republic, or when incorporated into
the United States, would be new source of
strength and power. Conforming my admins.
tration to these principles have on no occasion
lent support or federation 10 unlawful expeditions
set on foot upon the plea Of republican propa.
gsndism or Of national extension or az.
depressing such unlawful movements clearly indi.
Gates the duty which rests upon us of adapting
our legislative action to the new circumstances Of
decline OF European monarchical power and in
hueDce, and the increase of American republican
IDEAS interests End sympathies. IL cannot be long
before 1t will b. r0me necessary for the govern.
ment to lend soLne effective aid TO the solution
Of the political and social problems which are con.
stantly kept before the world by the two republics
OF the Island OF st. Domingo, and which are now
disclosing themselves more distinctly than hereto.
fore in the Island of Cuba. The subject is COM
mended to your consideration with all the more
esrnestnets because am satisfied that the time
has arrived when even so direct proceeding as a
proposition for an annexation of the two repub-
lies OF the Island Of st. Domingo, would not only
receive the consent of the people interested, bat
would also give satisfaction to ali other foreign
nations.
l am aware that upon the question OF further
extending our possessions it is spprehended bv
some that our political system cannot success
fully be applied to an area more extended than
our continent, but the conviction is rapidly gain
ing ground in the American mind that with the
increased facilities for INSTRUMENTATION be.
tween all portions of the earth, the Inciples of
Tree government, as embraced in our COnsttu.
ton. If faithfully maintained and carried out,
would prove of sufficient strength and breadth to
comprehend within their sphere and influence the
civilized nations of the world.
The attention of the Senate and of Congress is
again res pectfully invited to the treaty for the
establishment of commercial reciprocity with the
Hawaiian Kingdom, entered into last year, and
already ratified by that government. The atti-
tude Of the United States towards these islands
is but very little different from that in
which they stand towards the West Indies. 1t is
Known and felt by the Hawaiian government and
people that their government and institutions are |
feeble and precsrious. That the United States |
beng so near nelghbor would be unwilling to |
see the island pass under foreign control. Their |
prosperity Is continually disturbed by expects- |
TONS and alarms of unfrendly political proceed. |
ings, as well from the United States as from other
foreign powers. A reciprocity treaty, while it |
could not materially diminish the revenue of the |
United States, would be guaranty of the good
Will and forbearance of all nations until the peo-
pie of the islands shall of themselves at no distant
day voluntarily apply for admission into the
Union.
The emperor of Russia has acceded to the treaty
negotiated here in January last, for the security
Of trade marks In the interest of manufactures |
and commerce. l have invited his attention to the
importance of establishing now, while it seems
Easy and practicable, fair and equal regulation
Of the vast fisheries belonging to the two nations
n the waters OF the North Pacific Ocean. The
wo treaties between the United States and Italy
or the regulation of consular powers and the ex.
Tradition OF criminals, negotiated and ratified here
Turing the last session of Congress- have been &C.
,epied and confirmed by the Italian government
1 liberal consular convention which has been me-
rotated with Belgium will be submitted to the
senate.
The very important treaties which were peco- |
lated between the United States and North Ger.
many and Bavaria, for the regulation Of the rights
Deeu |
nd exchanged, and similar treaties have been |
ntered into with the kingdoms of Belgium and
furtemberg, and with the grand duchies of
laden and Hesse Dsrmstsdt. ! hope soon to be
BILE to submit equally satisfactory conventions OF
he same character, now in the course of nego-
alton, with the respective governments of Spain.
nd Italy and the Ottoman empire.
Examination of claims against the United States
the HUDSON Bay Company and the Puget sound {
gricultural Company, on account of certain nos. |
n IND III Ia 1
tory OF Washington, alleged by those companies
| virtue OF provisions Of the treaty between the
nited States and Great Britain of June Is, 1886,
as been diligently prosecuted under the direction
the JOINT International commission TO which ,
icy were submitted for adjudication by treaty
etween the two governments of July lat, 1868, 9
nd will, 1t is expected, be concluded at an early
by. r
The practical regulation concerning colonial
ade and the fisheries can be accumulated bv | :
eaty between the United States and Great Bri.
in until Congress shall have expressed their judg.
ent concerning the principles involved. Three /
her questions. however. between the United a
lates and Great Britain remain open for adjust .
ent. These are the mutual rights of natural.
ed citizens; the boundary question, involving
Re title to the island Of San Juan on the Pacific :
,ast, and mutual claims arising since the year !
53 OF the citizens and subjects Of the two coun.
lder the authority Of their respective govern 8
enis. Negotiations upon these subjects are Q
ending, and l am not without hope of ii
ling able to lay before the Senate for its ~
'nsiderstion during the present session =,
'otocols calculated to bring to an end r,
ese justly exciting and long existing q
ntToversies. We are not advised OF the action
the Chinese government upon the liberal and 9
spicious treaty which was recently celebrated 3
th its plenipotentiaries at this capital. Japan
mains thester Of civil war marked by religious &C
cidents and political seventies peculiar TO that 8
ng isolated empire. The executive has hitherto
aintained strict neutrality among the belliger- L
Is, and Acknowledges with pleasure that il has =
en- frankly and fully sustained in that course ii
the enlightened concurrence and cooperation ! Ps
the other treaty powers. namely, Great D
i'ain, France, the Netherlands, North Germany si
d Italy. be
Spain having recently undergone revolution, "a "a
rked by extraordinary unanimity and preserva. VI
q Of order, the provisional government estab. ih
he'd at Madried has been recognized, and the e
endly intercourse which has so long happily r.
sted between the two Countries rems,ps an, a.
lBEed. -
renew the recommendation contained in nv ~
nmunicsuon to Congress dated the 18th July op
t. copy of which accompanies this message, =,
Z the Judgment of the people should be taken a.
the pTODriety OF so amending the federaI Con. N,