The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-06


n the case of the acquisition of Texas. So |
am l of all the advantages to flow
rom the acquisition of San Domingo, and of
he great disadvantages, l might almost say
from the mont acquisition, that l |
believe the subject has only to be investigated
10 be approved.
MEXICAN FREE TRADE POLICY.
1t is to be regretted that our representations
in regard to the injurious effects especially
upon the revenue of the United States, OF she
policy of the Mexican government in exempt,
ing from duties the products OF a large tract Vi
its territory on our borders has not only Deen
fruitless but that it is even proposed IN tnat
country to extend the limits wltnih ~hlcn tue
privilege adverted to has been enjoyed. Inc
expediency of taking into your serious consld-
Grafton proper measures for counteracting the
policy referred to will, it is presumed, engage
your earnest attention. 1t is the. obvious in
ferest. especially of neighboring nations, to
provide against the impunity of those who may
have committed high crimes within their bor-
ders, and who may have sought refuge abroad.
For this purpose extradition treaties have been
concluded with several of the central Ameri-
can republics, and others in progress.
THE VENEZUELAN CLAIM.
The sense of Congress is desired as early as
may be convenient upon the proceeding of the
commissioner upon the claims against Vene-
zuela as communicated in my message of
March 4th, 1869, March 1st, 1870, March 31st,
tribute any OF the money which has been re-
ceved from the government until Congress
shall have acted upon the subject.
THE CHINESE MAssACREs.
The massacre of the French and Russian
residents at Teintzen, under circumstances of
great barbarity, were supposed by some to have
been premeditated and in a purpose among
the populace to extel inmate foreigners in the
Chinese empire. The evidence fails to estab
lish such suppostion, but shows completely
by the local authorities and the mob. The
government at Pekin, however, seems to have
disposed to fulfil its treaty obligations so 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 mas
sacre. and it 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 the super
stitious mass might expel all foreigners and re-
store the mandarin influence Anticipating
trouble from this, invited France and North
Germany to make an authorized suspension
of hostilities in the East, where they were
temporarily suspended by an act of the COM
manders, and to act together for the future
promotion in Chca of the lives and properties
of Americans and Europeans
THE SLAVE TRADE.
Since the adjournment of Congress the rati-
fications of the treaty with Great Britain for
abolishing the mixed courts for the suppress.
sion of the slave trade have been exchanged,
and it is believed that the slave trade is now
confined to the eastern coast of Africa, where
the slaves are taken to Cuban markets.
NATURALIZATION.
The ratification of the naturalization couven-
ton between Great Britain and the United
States has also been exchanged during the re-
cess, and thus long-standing dispute between
the two governments has been settled in ac-
cordance with the principles always commended
for by the United States. -
OUR NORTHERN FOUNDRY.
In April last while engaged in locating mil
itary reservation near Pembina a corps of en-
gineers discovered that the commonly received
boundary line between the United States and
the British Provinces at that place is about
400 feet south of the true position of the 10th
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 PembiEa within the ter
ritOry of the United States.
This information being communicated to the
British government, l was requested to consent
and did consent that the British occupation of
the fort of the Hudson Bay Company should
continue for the present. 1 deem it important
however that this part of the boundary line
should be definitely fixed by a joint commits
sion OF the two governments, and I submit
herewith the estimates of the expense of such
commission on the part of the United States,
and recommend an appropriation for that pur-
pose. The land boundary has already been
fixed and marked from the summit of the
Rocky Mountains to the Georgian Bay. It
should be now 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 oy 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 Her Majesty gov
eminent was guilty of negligence OF did or per-
mitted any act during the war by which the
United States has just cause of complaint
My ever firm and unalterable convictions are
directly the reverse. 1 therefore recommend
to Congress to authorize the appointment of a
commission to take proof of the amounts and
the ownership OF the private claims as well as
the responsible control of all the demands
against Great Britain. 1t cannot be necessary
to add that whenever Her Majesty's govern
ment shall entertain the desire for full and
friendly adjustment of the claims the United
States Will enter upon their consideration
with an earnest desire for conclusion consist
ent with the honor and dignity of both ma
tions
THE FISHERIES
The course pursued by the Canadian
authorities toward the fishermen Of the United
marked by friendly feeling. By the first arti-
Gle 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 the waters
therein defined in the waters not included
in the limits named in the convention
within three miles of the British coast
1t has been the custom for many years to give
to intruding fishermen of the United States
reasonable warning of their violation of the
technical rights of Great Britain. The 1mpe-
rial government is understood to have dele
gated the whole or share of it's jurisdiction
control of these inshore fishery grounds TO the
Canada, and this semi-independent, but ire
sponsible agent has exercised its delegated
powers in an unfriendly way. Vessels have
been seized without notice or warning, in vio-
iatlon OF the custom previously prevailing, and
have been taken into the colonial ports; their
voyages broken up and their vessels condemn
ed. There is reason to believe that this I'M
friendly and vexatiOus treatment was designed
to bear harshly upon the hardy fishermen of
the United States with view to political effect
upon this government. The statutes of the
Dominion of Canada assume a still broader
and untenable 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 harbors of Canada into ports to search the
cargo, to examine the master under oath, to
change the cargo and voyage and to inflict up
on 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 or har- |
b0rs without a license, or alter the expiration
Of the period named in the last license granted |
to it, they provide that the vessel with the |
tackle Sc, &C., shall be forfeited. 1t is not |
known that any con6emnations have been |
made under this statute. Should the autbori- |
lies of Canada attempt to enforce it, it would |
become my duty to take such steps as may be |
necessary 60 protect the rights of the citizens |
d the United States. 1t has been claimed by |
Her Majesty, officers that the fishing vessels |
open ports of the British Possessions in North
America, except for the purposes of shelter
md repairing damages, of purchasing wood |
and obtaining water; that they have no trade
here except for the purchase of wood and
water, and that they must depart within twen-
y-four hours after notice to leave. 1t is not
Known that any seizure of fishing vessel car
'ying the United States flag has been made
Under this claim. So far as the claim is found |
a an alleged construction of the convention of
Slo cannot be acquiesced in by the United
States. 1t is hoped that it will not be insisted
lpon by Her Majesty's government. During
he conference which preceded the negotiation
# the convention of 1918 the British commits
toners proposed to expressly exclude the fish
rmen of the United States from the privilege
# carrying on trade with any of His Britannia
Majesty's subjects residing within the limits
lssigned for their use, and also that it should
lot be lawful for the vessels of the United
States engaged in the said fishery to have on
BOARD any food, wares or merchandise what
'ver except such as might be necessary for the
prosecution of their voyages to and from said
ishiug grounds; and any vessel of the United
states which shall cOntravene this regulation
nay be seized, condemned and cenfiscated
With her cargo. This proposition, which is
IDENTICAL with the construction now put upon
he language of the convention, was emphati-
ally rejected by the American commissioner,
md thereupon was abandoned by the British |