New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-06
WHOLE NUMBER lll4.

zuela, as communicated in my messages OF
March Is, 1869, March ], 1870 and Marh 81.
1870 1t has not been deemed advisable to
| distribute any Of the money which has been
received from that government men shsn, %nsl, Con
The massacres OF French and Prussian
residents at Tientzin, under circumstances
Of great barbarity, were supposed by some
| to have been premeditatcd and to indicate
! a purpose among the p0pulace to exterml-
| nate foreigners in the Chinese Empire. The
evidence fails to establish such a supposi-
ton, but shows a completely between the
| local authorities and the mob. The gov |
ernment at Pekin, however, seems to have
| been disposed to fulfil its treaty obligations
so far as it was able to do SO. unfortu-
natdly, the news Of the war between the
| German States and France reached China
soon after the Aassacre. 1t would appear
that the popular mind became possessed
| with the idea that this contest, extending
| to Chinese waters, would neutralize the
Christian influence and power, and that the
| time was coming when tho superstitlOus
masses might expel all foreigners and res
tore mandarin influence. Anticipating
! trouble from this cause. l invited France
| and North Germany to make an authorized
suspension of hOstilities in the East, where
they were temporarily suspended by act of
the commanders, and to act together for the
future protection in China Of the lives and
properties of Americans and Europeans.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the
ratification of the treaty with Great Britain
for abOlishing the mixed courts for the sup
preston Of the slave trade has been ex-
changed. 1t is believed that the slave trade
| is now confined to the eastern coast Of AZ
rica, whence the slaves are taken to Arabian
markets. The ratifications of the natural
izatiOn convention between Great Britain
A. oJc 1Nnnv1
| changed during the recess, and thus long
| standing dispute between the two govern
ments has been settled in accordance with
the principles always contended for by the
United States. y
In April last, while engaged in locating a
military reservation near Pembina, q corps
of engineers discovered that the commonly
received boundary line between the United
States and the British possessions at that
place was about forty-seven hundred feet
south of the true position of the fOrty-ninth
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 Bay Company at Pemblna within
!. the territory Of the United States. This IN
formation being communicated to the
. British government, ] was requested to con-
. sent and did consent that the British
occupation of the fort of the
Hudson Bay Company. should con-
tinue for the present. l deem it I'M
portant, however, that this part OF the
J. boundary line should be definitely fixed by
Joint commission of the two governments,
and submit herewith estimates of the ex-
pense of such q commission on the part OF
/ the United States, and recommend that an
appropriation be made for that purpose.
The land boundary has already been 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
7 Rocky Mountains.
regret to say that no conclusion has been
| reached for the adjustment of the claims
against Great Britain, growing out OF the
e | 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 cOncede that
l Her Majesty's gOvernmentwas guilty of any
a negligence, or did, or permitted any act
r during the war by which the United States
has just cause OF complaint.
s Our firm and unalterable convictions are
: directly the reverse. l therefore recon-
y mend to Congress to authorize the appoint
Q ment of commission to take proof of the
n amounts and of the ownership Of the
C several claims, on notice to the representa-
a tive of her Majesty at Washington, and that
e authority be given for the settlement OF
:. these claims by the United States, so that
s the private claims, as well as the response
l. BILE control of all the demands against Great
n Britain. 1t can not be necessary to ado
IS that whenever her AIajesty's government
It shall entertain desire for full and frendl,
+. adjustment OF these claims, the United
Il States will enter upon their consideration
o with an earnest desire for q conclusion con
E. sistent with the honor and dignity Of boil
u nations.
e The course pursued by the Canadian au
'e thlpities toward the United States durin
=. the past season has not been marked by
is friendly feeling. BY the first article OF til
s. convention of 1878, between Great Britain
)f and the United States, it was agreed tha
the inhabitants OF the United States shOul
et have forever. in common with British sui
IT iects, the right Of taking fish in certai
IL waters therein defined, the waters not il
IL cluled in the limits. named in the CONVEX
II ton within three miles OF the British coast
TO 1t has been the custom for many years t
IL give to intruding fishermen of the Unite
lie States reasonable warning of their viOlatio
Id of the technical rights of Great Britain
j. The imperial government is understood t
le have delegated the whole Or a share OF ii
lis jurisdiction to or control of these in-shol
e. fishing grounds TO the colonial authorit
known Is the Dominion of Canada, an
L. this semi-independent but irresponsibl
a agent has exercised its delegated powers j
IS an unfriendly way.
u Vessels have been seized. without motto
to or warming in violation of. the custom pr,
H. viOusly prevailing, and have been takeu int
r. the colonial ports their voyages broken IL
is and the vessels condemned. There is rei
nj son to believe that this unfriendly and vel
III atious treatment was designed to bea
e. harshly upon the hardy fishermen of tn
lie United States, with view to political etfet
an upon this government. The statutes of til
lie dominion Of Canada assume still brOadt
IT'S and more untenable jurisdiction over til
IT. vessels of the United States. They authO
of ize officers or persons to bring vessels hove
er ing within three marine miles of any of til
rd coasts, bays, creeks or harbors of Canad
m into port, to search the cargo, to examin
he the master, on oath, touching the cargo an
ne voyage, and to infict upon him a heav
pecuniary penalty if true answers are nt
,s- given: and if such q vessel is found "prepa
ly ing to fish, within three marine miles OF an
st of such coasts, bays, creeks or harbOrs wit
10 ont license, or after the expiration of tt
yo period named in the last license granted
u it, they provide that the vessel, with h,
70 tackle etc, shall be forfeited.
an 1t is not known that any condemnation
I'd, have been made under this statute. Shou
ay the authorities Of Canada attempt to enfor,
es- it, it will become my duty to take SUI
ne steps as may be necessary to protect Il
he rights of the citizens Of the United State
,,ss 1t has been claimed by her Majesty's OF
ne GERS that the fishing vessels of the Unite
IL States have no right to enter the open,por
I'm of the British possessions in North Americ
ne except for the purpose Of shelter and I
ay pairing damages. OF purchasing wood al
lat obtaining water; that they have no right
'ti- enter at the British customhouses or
do. fl,nra ~, +bo,