Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-06
ESTABLISHED MARCH 80, 1885.

such supposition, but shows the COM
plicity by the local authorities and the
mob. The Government at Pekin, how
ever, seems to have been disposed to full
fill les treaty obligations SO far as
1t was able to do so. Unfortunately
the news of the war between the Ger
man States and France reached soon after
the massacre. 1t would appear that the
popular mind became possessed with the
idea that this contest extending to ihe
| Chinese waters would neutralize the
Christian influence and power, and that
| the time was coming that the superstitious
masses might expell all foreigners, and
restore mandarin influence. Anticipating
Trouble from the cause / invited France
and North Germany to make an author
lied suspension of hostilities in the East,
where they were temporarily suspended
by the commanders, in order to act to-
gether for the future protection in China
of the lives and property of Americans
and Europeans. rr ~.
The Slave Trade
Since the adjournment of Congress the
ratification of the treaty with Great
Britain for abolishing the mixed courts
for the suppression of the slave trade has
been recognized. 1t is believed that the
slave trade is now confined to the Eastern
coast of Africa, where the slaves are TAX
en- to Arabian markets.
Naturalization.
The notifications of the naturalization
conventions between Great Britain aud
the United States have also been exchang-
ed during the recess, and thus long
standing dispute between the two govern
ments. have been settled in accordance
with the principles always commended for
by the United Ststes.
Our Northern Boundary.
In April last, while engaged in locating
a military reservation near Pembina,
corps of engineers discovered that the
commonly received boundary line between
the United States and the British possess
siOns of that place is about seven hundred
feet south of the zenith parallel, and that
the line when run on what IS now sup
posed to be the true position Of the par
allel would leave the fort of the Hudson
Bay Company at Pembina, within the
territory of the United States. This in-a
formation being communicated to the
British government l was requested to
consent, and did consent, that the fort
of the Hudson Bay Company should con-
tinue for the present. deem it important
however that this part of the boundary
line should bdIefnitely fixed by joint
commission OF the governments, and sub
nat herewith estimates of the expenses
of such a 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 Georgia. Bay. 1t should now be
in like manner, marked from the Lake of
the Woods to the summit of the Rocky
Mountains.
The Alabama Claims.
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 Govern
ment during the rebellion. The Cabinet
of London, so far as its views have been
expressed, does not appear to be willing
to concede that Her Msjesty's Govern
ment was guilty of negligence, or did or
permitted any act during the war by
which the United States has Just cause of
complaint. Our firm and unalteTable
convictions are directly the reverse, and
therefore recommend 10 Congress to au-
III Jrize the appointment of a commission
to take proof of the amounts and the
ownership of these claims, on notice to
the representative of Her Majesty at
Washington, and that authority be
given for the commencement of these
claims by the United States, so that the
Government shall have the ownership of
the private claims as well as the respon-
sible control of all the claims against
Great Britain. 1t cannot be necessary to
add that whenever Her Msjesty's Govern
ment shall entertain desire for full and
friendly adjustment of these claims, the
United States will enter upon their con
sideTation with an earnest desire for con-
clusioR consistent With the honor and dig |
nifty of both nations.
The Fisheries.
The course pursued by the Canadian |
authorities toward the fishermen of The |
United States during the last season, has !
not been marked by a friendly feeling. |
By the first article of the convention of |
1918, between Great Britain and the Uni |
ted States, it was agreed that the inhsbi- |
tants of the United States should have for
ever in common with the British subjects, |
the right of taking fish in certain waters
therein defined. In waters not included in |
the limits named in the convention, within |
three miles of ports of the British coast, |
it has been the custom for many years, to |
give to trading fishermen Of the United |
St9tes q reasonable warning of their VIC |
lstion Of the technical rights of Great |
Britain. The Imperial Government is
understood to have delegated the whole or
a share of its jurisdiction and control |
of these inshoTe fishing grounds, |
TO the Colonial authority, known as the
Dominion of Canada, and this same indie
pendent and irresponsible agent, has eXef-
cised its delegated pOwersin an unfriendly |
way. Vessels have been seized, without
notice or warning, in violation of the
custom previously prevailing, and have
been taken into colonial ports, their voy-
ages broken up and the vessels condemned.
There is reason TO believe that this I'M
friendly and VeXatious treatment, was de-
signed to bear harshly upon the hardy
fishermen of the United States, with a
yiew to political effect upon the govern
nent. The statutes of the Dominion of
Canada assume still broader and more IN
.enable jurisdiction 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 haTbors of Canada into
port, to search the cargo and examine the
master, on oath, touching the cargo
ind voyage, and to inflict upon
him heavy pecuniary penalty
f true answers be not given; and if such
l vessel be found preparing to fish within
hree marine miles of such casts, bays,
;reeRs or haTbOrs, without a license, OF
after the expiration of the period named
n the last license granted to it, they pro-
vide that the vessel, with her tackle and
largo, shall BE- forfeited. 1t is not known
hat any COMBINATIONS have been made
IIdCr this: statute. Should the authOri-
les of Canada attempt to enforce it, it
will become my duty to take such steps
IS may be necessary. to protect the rights
Of citizens of the United States. 1t has
been claimed by her Majesty's officers
nat the fishing vessels Of the United
States have no right TO enter open ports
Of the British possessions IN North Ameri-
"a, except for the purpose of shelter, re-
pairing damages, or purchasing wood and
obtaining matter; that they have no right
10 enter at British custom houses, or to
trade, except the purchase of wood and
water, and that they must depart in "a
hours after notice to leave. 1t Is not
known that any seizure of fishing vessel
carrying the flag of the United States has
been made under this claim. So far as
he claim is founded on any alleged con-