The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-12-10

in regard to the injurious effects especially upon
the revenue of the United States, of the policy
Of the Mexican Government in exempting from
import duties large tract of its territory on
our borders, have not only been fruitless, but
that it is even proposed in that country to ex-
tend the limits within which the privilege I'D.
verified to has hitherto been enjoyed. The expe.
diency of taking into your serious consideration
the proper means for countervailing the policy
referred to will, it is presumed, engage your
nest attention. It is the obvious interest," espe-
cially of neighboring nations, to provide against
injury to those who may have committed high
crimes within their borders, and who may have
sought refuge abroad. For this purpose extradi-
tion treaties have been concluded with several of
the Central American Republics, and others are
In progress. The sense Of congress is desired a.
early as may be convenient upon tho proceed
ings of the Commission on Claims against Ven
ezuela, which are communicated in the messages
OF March l, 1869, March l., 1870, and March 81,
1870. It has not been deemed advisable to dis
tribute any of the money which has been re-
ceived from that government until congress- shall
have acted upon the subject.
The massacres, Of French and Russian resi-
dents at Tien-Tsin, under circumstances of great
barbarity, were supposed by some to have been
premeditated, and to indicate purpose among
the populace to exterminate Foreigners In the
Chinese Empire. The evidence fails to establish
such superstition, but shows . completely BY
the local authorities and the mob. The govern.
ment at Pekin, however, seems to have been dis
posed to fulfill its treaty obligations 90 far az it
was able to do 90. Unfortunately, the news of
the war between the German States and France
reached China soon after the massacre It would
appear that the popular mind became possessed
with the idea that this test, extending TO the
Chinese waters, would neutralize the Christian
nj ,,J - xho<<
ing when the superstitious mass might expel all
foreigners and restore the Mandarin influence.
Anticipating trouble from this cause, invited
France and North Germany to make an author.
lied suspension OF hostillties in the east, whore
they were temporarily suspended by act of the
commanders, to act together for the future pro.
lection in China of the lives and property of
Americans and Europeans.
Since the adjournment of congress the ratih.
tions of the treaty with Great Britain for sbol-
ishing the mixed courts for the suppression OF
the slave trade have been exchanged. It 10 be-
lieved that the slave trade is now confined to the
eastern coast Of Africa, whence the slaves are
taken to Ara ian markets
The rat6cations of the Naturalization Con.
vention between Great Britain and the United
States have also been exchanged during the re-.
cess, and thus lonxstanding dispute between
the two governments has been settled in accord.
ance with the principles always contended for
by the United States.
In April last, while engaged in locating mil
itary reservation near Pembins, q corps of engi.
neers discovered that tho commonly received
| boundary line between the United States and
the British possessions at that place is about
fifty-seven hundred feet south Of the true posi-.
ton of the zenith parallel, and that the line,
when run on what is now supposed to be the
true position of that parallel would leave the
fort of the Hudson's Bay Company, at Pemhina,
within the territory of the United States. This
| In Information being communicated to the British
government, was requested to consent and
did consent that the British occupation of the
fort of the Hudson's Bay Company should CON.
tnue tor the present. deem it important,
however, that this part of the boundary line
should be definitely fixed by joint commission
of the governments, and submit herewith esti.
mates OF the expense of such commission on
the part OF the United States, and recommend
an appropriation FOR that purpose The land
boundary is already fixed and marked from the
summit of the Rocky Mountains to 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
by that government during the rebellion. The
Cabinet of London, SO far as its views have been
expressed, does not appear to be willing to con-
cede that Her Majestys Government was guilty
OF NJ gligence, or did or permitted any act dur
ing the war by which the United States has lust
cause of complaint. Our firm and unaltarable
convictions are directly the reverse. therefore
recommend to congress to authorize the appoint.
ment of a commission to take proof OF the
amounts, and the ownership. ard their 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 we'll as the
responsible control of all the demands against
Great Britain. 1t cannot be necessary to add
that whenever Her Majestys Government shall
entertain desire for full and friendly adjust
ment Of these claims the United States will en-.
| ter upon their consideration with an earnest de-
| sire for n conclusion consistent with the honor
and dignity of both nations.
The course pursued by the Canadian author
| tiles toward the fishermen of the United States
during past season has not been marked by a
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
riget of taking fish in certain waters therein
defined In the waters not included in the
limits named in the convention, within three
miles of ports of the British coast it has beeh
the custom for many years to give intrudlng
fishermen of the United States a reasonable
warning of the violation Of the technical rights
of Great Britain. The imperial Government
is understood to have delegated the whole or
| a IN ne 20 i,ric 1i cki ,S< 1,o,