Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-12-14

Another aud long -penClng Claim or IKE
nature, that of the whaeship Canada, ha:
been disposed of by friendly arbitration du
ring the present year. Ii was referred, by
the joint consent of Brazil and the United
States, to the decision of Sir Edward Thorn
ton, Her Britanic Majesty's Minister al
Washington, who kindly undertook the la
borious task of examining the voluminous
mass OF correspondence and testimony sub
mitted by the two governments aud award
ed to the United States the sum OF $780,
1900, in gold, which has since been pan
by the Imperial Government. These re-
cent examples show that the mode which
the United States have proposed to SPAN
for adjusting the pending claims is just and
feasible, and that it may be agreed to by
either nation without dishonor. II is to be
hoped that this moderate demand may be
acceded to by Spain without further delay.
Should the pending negotiations unfortu
nately and unexpectedly be without result,
It will then become my duty to communi-
cate that fact to Congress, and invite its
action on The subject.
SPAIN AND TIE SOUTH AMERICAN REPUB-
Lies.
The long deferred Peace Conference be-
tween Spain and the Allied South Ameri-
can Republics has been inaugurated in
Washington under the auspices of the Uni
ted States. Pursuant to the recommends
tion contained in the resolution OF the House
of Representatives of the lTth of Decem
Der, 1856, the Executive Department OF the
Govern ment offered its friendly Offices for
the promotion OF peace aud harmony be-
tween Spain and the Allied Republics.
Healtations aud obstacles occurred to the
acceptance Of the offer. Ultimately, how
ever, conference was arranged, and was
opened in this city on the 29sh OF October
last, at which | authorized the Secretary of
State to preside. 1t was attended by the
ministers OF Spain, Pern, Chill and E;ua-
dor. In consequence OF the absence of a
from Bolivia the Conference
was adjourned until the attendance OF 4
P!enipotentiary from the Republic could be
secured, or other measures could be adopted
toward comprising its objects
The Allied aGd other Republics Of Span
iSh origin on this continent may see in this
fact a near proof Of our sincere interest in
their welfare of our desire to see them
blessed with good governments, capable of
maintaining order and OF preserving their
respective territorial integrity ana of our
sincere wish to extend our own commercial
and social relations with them. The time
is not probably far distant when in the nat
ural course of events, European political
connection with this continent will cease.
Our policy should be shaped in view of this
probability, so as to ally the commercial in
terests Of the Spanish American States
more close to our own. and thus give the
United States aiI the pre-eminence and all
the advantages which MIR. Monroe, Mr.
Adams, and Mr. Clay, cJntempiltcd when
they proposed 10 join in the Congress Of
Panama.
SAN DOMINGO.
Dining the last session uf Congress, q
treaty I,r the annexation Of the Republic
OF San Domingo, to the United States fail
ditto receive the requisite two thirds vote
OF the Senate | was then thoroughly con
vinced that the best interests OF the c0untry
aud materially, demanded its
Time has only confirmed uIe
IL this view. | now firmly believe thdt,t the
moment 1t Is known that the United States
have entirely abandoned the project OF ac
ceP,ing as q part Of its territory the Island
OF San Domingo, tree port will be negOu-
ated for by European nations.
In ihe Bay OF SImana, large c1mmer-
ciai city viii spring up; to whiUn We shall
be tributary, without receiving CORE Pooling
benefits and then Will De seen the folly OF
rejecting so great prize.
The Government of San Domingo has
voluntarily sought this annexation. 1t Is a
y eak power, numbering probably less than
l2O, COO souls. aud yet possessing one OF the
richest localities under the sun, capable oil
supporting population OF 10000, 900 PEG
pie IN luxury. The people Of San DUmin
go are not capable OF maintaining them
selves in their present condition. and must
look for outside support. They yeara
for the protection Of our free institutions
and laws, cur progress and civilization.
Shall We refuse them? The acquisition Of
San Domingo is desirable because Of its
phicai position. II commands the
entrance of the Caribbean Sea and the 18th
mus .ransit of commerce. 1t possesses the
richest soil, the best and most capacious
harbOrs, most saluDrIOuS climate, and the
most valuable products of the forest, mine,
and soil, OF any OF the West India Islands.
It's possession by the United States Will In
u few years build up 4 coast wise commerce
of immense magnitude, which Will go FAR
toward restoring to US our lost merchant
marine. 1t will give to US those articles
which we greatly consume and do not pro
duce, thus cqUallZlng our exports and I'M
ports. Ia case Of foreign war, it will give
us command of all the islands referred to.
d'Ii mus prevent Az GlIStiig nun again R''S
sesSng herself Of rendezvous upon our
coast. Ii viii protect our coast-trade be
tween the States bordering on the Atlantic
and those bordering on the Gulf of Mexico,
and to the Bahamas and Antilles. Twice
We must, as it were, pass through the for
eign countries to pass from Georgia to the
west coast Of Georgia. San Domingo, with
a stable government, under which her i'm
mense resources can be developed, will give
wages to 100 900 laborers not
now upon the isIanl. The labor viii take
advantage of every available means of
20 abandon the adjacent is
lands and seek the blessings Of freedom and
It's sequence, each inhatitant receiving the
reward of his own labor. In Porto Rico
and Cuba. the way will be paved to abe lish
slavery, as a measure of self preservation
to retain those islands. San Domingo will
become 4 larger consumer Of the products
of our northern farms and manufactures
The cheap rate at which her citizens can he
furnished with food, tools, and machinery.
viii make IL necessary that contiguous Is
lands should have the same advantages, IN
order to compete in the production OF sugar
coffee. tobacco, tropical fruits, &c. This
will open to u a wider market for our pro
ducts The pro luction Of our supplies OF
these articles will cut off more than one
hundred millions of our annual imports,
beside largely Increasing our exports With
surb nj. ir - l.,