The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-07

immunity to those who may have commit
ted high crimes within their borders, and
who may have sought refuge, abroad. For.
this purpose extradltion treaties have been
concluded with several Of the Central
American Republics and others are IN
progress. The sense of Congress is desired
as early as may be convenient upon the
proceedings of the, commission upon claims
against Venezuela, as communicated In nv
Message OF March IS, 1869, and March 1,
1870, and March 81, 1870 tt has not been
deemed advisable to distribute any of the
money which has been received from that
Government until Congress shall have acted
upon the subject. -. -
The massacres of French and Russian re.
sidents at Tien-rsin, China under circum-
stances of great barbarity, were supposed
by some to have been premeditated, and to
indicate a purpose among the populace to
eXtermlnate foreigners in the Chinese EN-
pire. The evidence fails to establish such a
supposition, but shows q completely be-
tween the local author tiles and the mob,
The Government at Pekin, however,
seems to have been disposed to fulfil. its
treaty obligations 80 far as It was able to do
so. Unfortunately, the news of the war
between the German States and France,
reached China soon after the massacre. -, . ;, - !
1t would appear that the popular miud
became possessed with the idea that the,
contest, extending to Chinese waters, would
ncutraliZe the Christian influence and
power, and that the time was coming when
the superstitious masses might eXpel all
foreigners and restore mandarin influence.
Anticipating trouble from this cause, I
invited France and North Germany to make
an authorized suspension of hostilities in
the East, where they were temporarily sus-
pended by act of the commanders, and to
act together for the future protection in
China Of the lives and property of Ameri.
cans and Europeans.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the
ratitications Of the treaty with Great Bri-
tain for abolishing the mixed courts for the
suppression OF the slave trade have been
exchanged.
1t is believed that the slave trade Is now
confined to the eastern coast of Africa.
whence the slaves are taken to Arabian
markets. ....-, .....-. =,
In April last, while engaged in locating a
military reservation near Pemblna, a CORPS
of engineers discovered that the commonly-
received boundary line between the United
States and the British possessions at that
place is about 4,700 feet south of the true
position of the 49th parallel, and that the
line, when run on what is now supposed to
be the true position of that parallel, would
leave the foit of the HudsOn's Bay Com
pany at Pembina within the territory of the
United States. This Information being
communicated to the British Government,
l was requested to consent, and did con-
sent, that the occupation of the fort of the
Hudson's Bay Company should continue
for the present. l deem it important, how
ever, that this part OF the boundary line
should be definitely fixed by joint com.
mission of the two Governments, and I sub
--..x z,,-st1 - &c
such commission on the part of the United
States, and recommend that an appropria-
ton be made for that purpose.
The land boundary has already been fixed
| and marked from the summit of the Rocky
Mountains tn the Georgian Bay. 1t should
| now be in like manner marked from the
| Lake Of the Woods to the summit of the
Rocky Mountains.
regret to say that no conclusion has been
| reached for the adjustment of the claims
| against Great Britain, growing out OF the
course adopted 10y that Government during
the rebellion. The Cabinet at London, so
| far as its views have heen expressed, does
not appear to be willing to concede that
| her Majesty's Government was guilty of any
negligence, or did, or permitted any act
during the war by which the United States
had just cause OF complaint. Our firm and
unalterable convictions are directly the re-
verse. therefore recommend to Congress
| to authorize the appointment of commits
sion to take proof Of the amounts and the
| ownership Of these several claims on notice
to the representative Of Her Majesty at
! Washington, and that authority be given
| for the settlement of these claims by the
| United States, SO that the Government shall
| have the ownership Of the private claims as
well as the responsible control of all the de-
| m9nds auaiDSt Great Britain,
| It cannot be necessary to add that when.
ever her Majesty's Government shall enter
tain desire for full and friendly adjust
ment of these claims the United States will
enter upon their consideration with an
earnest desire for conclusion consistent
| with the honor and dignity of both nations.
The course pursued by the Canadian au-
thorities towards the fishermen Of the
| United States during the past season has
not been marked by friendly feeling BY
the first article of the Convention Of 1918
between Great Britain and the United
States, it was agreed that the inhabitants OF
| the United States should have forever, in
common with British subjects, the right of
taking fish IN certain waters therein de.
| fined. In the waters not included in the
limits named in the Convention, within
three miles OF parts Of the British coast, it
has been the custom for many years to give
l
a reasonable warning Of their violation of
the technical rights OF Great Britain.
| The Imperial Government is understood d
to have delegated the whole or share OF
| its jurisdiction or control of these inshore
| fishing grounds to the colonial authority,
known us the Dominion of Canada, and
this semi-independent but irresponsible
agent has exercised its delegated power in
an unfriendly way. Vessels have been
seized without notice or warning, In viola
ton of the custom previously prevailing,
and have been taken into the colonial ports,
their voyages broken up, and the vessels
condemned.
There is reason to believe that this un.
| friendly and yeXatious treatment was de-
| signed to bear harshly upon the hardy fish,
ermen of the United States, with view to
political effect upon this Government. The
statutes Of the Dominion of Canada assume
| q still broader and more untenable jurisdic-
| ton over the vessels of the United States,
They authorize officers or persons to bring
vessels lowering within three marine miles
| of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors
| of Canada into port, to search the cargo, to
examine the master on oath touching
| the cargo and voyage, and to inflict upon
| him heavy pecuniary penalty If true an
swers are not given, and if such vessel is
found preparing, to fish within three marine
miles Of any such coasts, bays, creeks, har-
bors, or without license or after the eX-
piration of the period named in the last
license grant, / to it, they provide that the
vessel. with her tackle, &C., shall be for
feited. 1t Is not known that any condemna-
| tions have been made under this statute.
Should the authorities of Canada attempt
to enforce it, it will become my duty to take
such steps as may be necessary to protect