Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-12-18


people of the United States. but its provisions
were wholly inadequate for the settlement OF
the grave wrongs that have been sustained by
this government, as well rs the citizens. The
injuries resulting to the United States by rca-
son OF the course adopted by Great Britain
during our !ate civil war, in the increased rates
Of insurance, in the diminution Of exports and
imports, and In other respects; on domestic
industry and production in it's effect upon the
foreign commerce of the country III the dc
crease and transfer to Great Britain Of our
commercial marine; in the prolongation OF
our wnr, and the increased cost both in treasure
and lives Of its suppression. could not be ad-
justcd and satisfied as ordinary commercial
claims. from which they differ more widely in
the gravity of their character than in the mag
nitudc OF their amount, great even as that is.
RECIpRoCITy WITH CANADA.
There was found wide difference Of opinion
as to the reciprocity treaty between the United
States and the British provinces on this cont.
nent which has not been favorablv considered
hv the Administration. The advantages Of
such treaty would be wholly in favor of the
British producer except, possibly. as to n few
engaged in the trade between the two sections.
No citizen OF the United States would he ben
c!itcd by such reciprocity. Our internal taxa
ton would prove II protection to the British
producer almost equal to tho rrott which
our manufacturers now receive from that tax.
Some arrangement however, for the regulation
Of commercial intercourse between the United
States and the Dominion should be effected.
The commission for adjusting the claims of
the IIudsonS Fay and Puget Sound Agricul-
tural Companies against the United States has
terminated its !nbors. The allowance of $500
600 has been made, aud all the rights and
titles of the Hudson Bay Company on the Ter
rtory of the United States have been made
over and distinguished. Deeds for the pro-
pcrtv of the Companies have been received
IN appropriation hy Congress to meet this
sum is asked
The Commission for determining the north
western land boundary between the United
States and tho British Possessions. under the
treaty of 1886, have completed their labors
and the Commission has been dissolved.
In conformity with the recommendation of
Congress-. II proposition was carly made to the
British Government TO abolish mixed courts.
created under the treaty of April 18, 1862 for
the suppression of the slave trade. The subject
is still under negotiation.
THE FRENCH CABLE.
II having come to my knowledge that cor
poratc company. organized under British laws
proposed to land upon the shores of the United
under concessions from His Majesty. the lim-
l,cror of the French. with an exclusive right
for twenty years of tclccraphic communication
between the shores Of France and the United
States. with the very objectionable feature of
suhcrtng all messages contilcd to them to the
surveillance and co.,trol of the French Govern
mcnt, caused the French and British LcGa-
tinns Mt Washington to be made acquainted
with the probable policy cf Congress on the
l. \ ~. l.. IL. H.
PASSED the Senate in March last. This drew
from the representatives of the company an
agreement TO accent as n basis Of their opera
tions the provisions of the bill. or of such
other enacmcnts on the subject MS might be
passed during the approaching session of Con-
grcss also. to use their influence to secure
from the French Government modification of
their concession so as to permit the landing
upon French soil of Il cable belonging to any
company incorporated by authority Of the
nitcd States. or any State in the United States,
and on their part not to oppose the establish
ment of any such cable. In consideration of
this agreement, directed the withdrawal of
all opposition by the United States authorities
to the landing OF the cable and the working of
it until the meeting Of Congress. l regret to
say there has been no modification made in the
Company's concession. nor SO far ns can learn
have they attempted to secure one Their con-
cession excludes the CAPITAL and tho citizens Of
the United States from competition upon the
shores of Franco. l recommend legislation to
protect the rights of citizens of tho United
States. as we'll as the dignity and sovereignty
of the nation against such an assumption. |
shall also endcavor to secure by negotiations
an abandonment of the principle Of monopo-
lies on ocean telegraphic cables. Copies of
this correspondence are herewith furnished.
FICTITIOUS CITIZENSHIP.
The unsettled political condition of those
countries less fortunate than our own some
times induce their citizens to come TO the
United States for the sole purpose of becoming
na,uralzed. Having scared this they return
to their native country and reside there. and
without disclosing their change of allegiance
they accept Official positions OF trust and honor
which can only be held by citizens of their ma
tive land. They journey under passports de-
scribing them rs such citizens, and it Is only
when civil discord, after perhaps years ofquiet,
threatens them or threatens their persons or
property, or when their native state draws them
into its military service, that fact of this change
of allegiance is made known. They reside
permanently from the United States, they con-
tribute nothing to their revenues; they avoid
the claims of its citizenship, and they only
make themselves known by askingfor ourpro.
lection. l nave ufrecteu tne uipioWatie anu
consular officers of the United States to scruti.
nize carefully all such claims Of protection
The citizen Of the United States, whether ma
tive or adopted who discharges his duty to his
country, is entitled to complete protection and
should have a voice in the direction of its af
fairs. But shall not consent to impair Q
sacred right by comforting il upon fictitious OF
fraudulent claimants.
-- EMIGRAxr PROTECTION. -
On the accession of the present Adn,inistra
tion, it was found that the Minister for Nortf
Germany had made proposition for negotia
tions of convention for the protection of EN-
igrant passengers, to which no response hat
been given. It was concluded that to be ef
fectual all the maritime powers engaged IL
trade, should join in such a measure. Invita-
tions have been given extended to the Cabinet
of London, Paris, Brussels, the Hague, 70
renhagen, Berlin, Florence and Stockholm, u
empower their representatives at Washington
to simultaneously enter into negotiations ant
conclude with the United States, convention
identical In form, a. to the construction OF tn
parts Of vessels to be devoted TO the use q
emi0rant ma sspuuerg Ra tn the quality an