Evening star., 1869-12-06


The conduct of the war between the allies and
the RepubEc Of Paraguay has made the inter-
course with that country so difficult that it has
been deemed advisable to withdraw eur repre-
sentative from there.
Towards the ciese of the last ADMINISTRATION a
conveFltion was signed at London fer the settle
ment OF all outstanding claims between Great
Britain and the United States, which failed to
receive the advice and consent of the Senate To
its ratification. The time and the circumstances
attending the negotiation OF that treaty were
ulfavOrable TO its acceptance by the people of
the United States and its provisions were wholly
inadequate for the settlement of the grave
wrongs that had been sustained by this Govern
ment well as by its citizens.
The injuries resulting to the United States by
reason OF the course adopted by Great Britain
during our late civil war, in the increased rates
ot Insurance; in the elimination of exports and
imports. and other distractions tn domestic i'm
oustry and production: in its effect upon the
foreign. Commerce OF the country; in the de
crease ana transfer 10 Great Britain of our COM
nercial marine; III the proloDgati0n OF the war
ana the increased cost (bOtlI in treasure and in
hves) of its suppression; could not be adjusted
and satisfied a. ordinary commercial claims.
which continually arise between commercial
nations.
And yet the convention treated them simply
rs such ordinary claims. from which they differ
more widely i'll the gravity Of their character
than i'll the magnitude of their amount, great
even, as is that difference. Not word was
found iii the treaty. and not an inference could
lee drawn from it. tn remove the sense of the Uu-
friendlinc>s of the course of Great BritaiI. in
our struggle for existence. which had SO deeply
and universally impressed Itself upon the people
OF this country.
Believing that convention TINS mscou-
ceiNed in its scope, anu inadequate in its pro-
visions would not have produced the hearty
c0rdial settlement Of pending questions which
alone is consistent with the relations which |
desire to have firmly established between the
United States and Great BI itain, regarded the
action of the Senate in rejecting the treaty TO
have been wisely taken, i'm the interest of peace
and as necessary step in the direction OF a
perfect ana cordial friendship between the two
countries.
A sensitive people, conscious of their power
are more at ease under a great wrong wholly ulI-
atOned, than under the restraint OF a settlement
which satisfies neither their ideas OF Justice nor
their grave sense of the grievance they have
sustained. The rejection of the treaty fol-
low"d by state Of public feeling on both sides,
which thought not favorable tO an immediate
attempt at renewed negotiations. l accordingly
~ instructed the Minister OF the United States
To Great Britain and found that my views in
this regard were shared 10y HcrMajesty's Minis
tiers.
hope that the time may soon arrive when the
Two governments can approach the solution of
this momentous question with an appreciation
OF what is due t0 the rights. dignity and honor
or each, and with the determination not only TO
remove the causes of complaint in the past, but
TO lay the foundation of "a broad principle Of
public law, which will prevent future differ
ences, and tend 10 firm and continued peace
and friendship.
This is now the only grave question which the
United States has with any foreign nation.
The question of renewing treaty for recrro-
cal trade between the United States and the
British Provinces on this continent, ha no. been
tayorably considered by the Administration
The advantages Of such a treaty would he
wholly in favor Of the British producer Except,
possibly, few engaged in the trade between
the two sections. no citizen of the United States
would be benefited by reciprocity. Oar inter
nal taxation wonld prove protection 20 tile
British producer, almost equal TO the protection
which our manufacturers now receive from the
tarif. Some arrangements however, for The
regulation of commercial intercourse between
the United States and the Dominion OF Canada
The commission for adjusting the claims of
the Hu,l>, Bay and Pucet'S Sound Agricultural
Company upon the United States has terminated
it, labors. The award OF $3.50 900 has been made,
and all rights and titles OF the company on the
territory of the United States have been eXtin-
gui>hcd. Deeds for the property OF the company
have been delivered. appropriation BY Com
gress to meet this sum is asked.
The commissioners for determining the North
western land boundary between the United
States and the British possessions, under the
In conformity with the recommendation OF
Congress, proposition was early made to the
British Government to abolish the mixed courts
created under the treaty OF April 1862. for the
suppression OF the slave trade. The subject is
still under negotiation.
II having come to nv knowledge that 4 corpo-
rate company, organized under British laws,
proposed TO land upon the shores OF the United
States, and To operate there a submarine cable
under concession from His Majesty, the Em-
PefUr OF the French, OF an exclusive right for
twenty years Of telcgraphic communication
between the shores of France and the United
States, with the very Objectionable feature of
>ubjccting all messages conveyed thereby to the
scrutiny and control Of the French Government;
| can>ed the French and British legations at
Washington 10 be made acquainted with the
probable policy Of Congress on this subject, as
foTesha,lOwed by the bill which passed the Sen
ate in March, last. This drew from the repre-
sentatives of the company an agreement TO ac-
cept the basis OF their operations, the provi-
>ions OF that bill, or such other enact
ment ON the subject as might be passed
during the approaching session of Congress-;
also 10 Use their influence TO secure from the
Fro nch government modification of their con-
cession ~ as to permit the landing. upon
French soil. of any cable belonging to any COM
pany incorporated 10y the authority of the
United States OF Of any State in the Union,
AMI on their part not to oppose the establish
mont OF any such cable. In consideration of
this agreement directed the withdrawal Of all
opposition by the United States authorities to
the landing oi the cable and 10 the working of
il until the meeting OF Congress.
regret 20 say that there has been no molii-
cation made in the company's concession, nor,
- far ~ can learn, have they attempted to se-
cnre one. Their concession excludes the capi-
tai and the citizens of the United States from
competiticn upon the shores y France. re-
eoIlfithd legislation protect the rights OF cit
zens of the United States, as well az the dignity
and sCvcTci iguty of the nation, against such an
assumption. shall also cntlcay0r to secure 10y
negotiation an abandonment Of the principle of
monopolies in ocean telegraphc cables. Copies
The unsettled political condition OF other
countries, less fortunate than our own some
times induces their citizens 10 come to the Cni-
ted States for the sole purpose OF becoming nat
uraliZcd. Having secured this. they return to
their native country, and reside there without
disclosing their change of allegiance. They ac-
Ccpt official positions Of trust or honor. which
can only be held by citizens of their native
lands; they journey under passports describing
them as such citizens, and il Is only when civil
discOrd, ter perhaps years of quiet, threatens
their persons or their property, or when their
native State drafts them into its military service,
that the fact OF their change OF allegiance Is
made known. They reside permanently away
from the United States, they contribute nothing
to its revenues they avoid the duties OF its cit-
zenship, and they only make themselves known
by claim of protection.
1 have directed the diplomatic and consular
officers OF the United States to scrutinize care
fully all such claims Of protection. The citizen
Of the United States, whether native or adopted.
who discharges his duty 10 his country, is ent-
tied to its complete protection While have q
voice in the direction Of affairs, shall not con-
sent to imperil this sacred right by conferring il
upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants.
ON the accession OF the present administra-
tion, it was found that the Minister for North
Germany had made propositions for the negotia-
grant passengers, to which no response had been
gwen. 1t was concluded that TO be eficctual, all
the maritime powers engaged in the trade should
join IN such measure. Invitations have been
extended 10 the Cabinets of London, Paris,
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