Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-16
SETTLEMENTS.

A case which at one time threatened
2 riously 10 effect the relations between
the United States and Spain has already
been disposed Of in this way. The claim
ot Col Lloyd Aspinwall for the Illegal
seizure and detention of that vessel was
referred to arbitration by mutual consent,
and has resulted in an award To the United
States for the owners OF the same OF ST.
go, $50 in gold. Another and long pend
ing claim ot like nature, that Of the
whale ship Canada, has been disposed of
by friendly nrbitrament during the pres
cut year. 1t was referred by the joint
consent OF Brazil and the United States
to the decision of Sir Edward Thornton.
Her Britanic Maicsty'S Minister ut Wash
ington, who kindly undertook the task OF
examining the voluminous mass of cor
respOndcncc and testimony contributed
by the two governments, and awarded To
the United States the sum OF four hun
dred thousand and seven hundred and
ioIty dollars and niue cents in gold, which
has since been paid By the Imperial gov
ernmcnt. These recent examples, show
that the mode which the United States
have proposed to Spain Ton adjusting the
pending claims is Just aud feasible. and
that il may bc agreed to by either nation
without dishonor 1t is TO bc hoped that
this moderate demand may be acceded
TO by Spain without lnrthcr delay. Should
the pending negotiations unfortunately
and Unexpectedly bo without result 1t
will then become my duty To commnni.
cate that fact TO Congress and invite It's
action on The subject.
SPAIN The SOUTH AMERICAN REruBICS.
The long deferred peace conference be-
tween Spain aud the allied South Amcri-
can republics has been inaugurntcd in
Washington under the auspices OF the
United States.
Pursuant; To the Recommendation CON
taincd in the resolution of the House OF
Representatives of the 18th of December
1866. the Executive Department OF the
government offered its friendly Offices Tor
the promotion OF peace and harmony be.
tween Spain and the allied Republics
UcsitationS and obstacles occurred 10 the
acceptance ot the offer. Ultimately,
however, 4 conference was held and Was
opened in this city on the 10Th OF October
last, at which authorized tho Secretary
OF State to preside 1t WAS attended 10y
the minister; of Spain. Peru, Chill, and
Ecuador. In consequence OF the absence
OF a representative from Bolivia the con
ference was adjourned until the attend
ancc OF plcnipotentiary from that Re.
public could be secured. or other meas
urcS could be adopted towards compass
iHg its object. The allied and other lc-
pullicS OF Spanish origin on this conu-
ncnt may sec in this tact new p"ool OF
our sincere interest in their welfare, oI
our desire 20 sec them -icsscl with good
governments capable Of maintaining or
der and preserving their respective terri.
torial integrity. and nf our sincere wish
to the extent of our own commercial and
sori., relations with them. The time i
not probably far distant when in the nat
ural course Of event, the European pD.
lnical connection with this continent will
cease. Onr policy should DC shaped in
Wow OF this probability 50 aS Ia ally the
interests OF the Spanish
American States mere closely 10 our own
and thus give he United States all tho
pre- emincnco AMI all the advantage
which Mr.. Monroe. Mr. Adams and Mr..
Clay contemplated when they proposed
to Join in the Congres, OF Panama.