The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1870-12-13

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urge upon Congress early action ex-
pressive of its views as to the best
means of acquiring San Domingo. My
suggestion is that by joint resolution
of the two Houses of Congress, the Ex-
ecutive be authorized to appoint COM
mission to negotiate for treaty with
the authorities of San Domingo for the
acquisition Of that island, and that an
appropriation be made to defray the
expenses Of such commission. The
question may then be determined by
the action of the two Houses of Con.
gress upon a resolution of annexation,
as in the case of the acquisition of Tex
as. So convinced am ] Of the advan-
tages to flow from the acquisition of
San Domingo, aud of the great disad-
vantages, / might almost say calami-
ties, to flow from its non-acquisition,
that believe the subject has only to
be investigated to be approved.
THE MEXICAN FREE ZONE.
1t is to be regretted that our repre-
sentations in regard to the injurious
effects, especially upon the revenues of
the United States, of the policy of the
Mexican government in exempting
from import duties large tract ofland
on our borders, have not only been
fruitless, but that it is even proposed
in that country to extend the limits
within which the privilege adyerted to
has hitherto been enjoyed. The expe-
diency of taking into your serious con-
sideretion the proper means of coun-
tervailing the policy referred to, will,
it is presumed engage your earliest at
tention. 1t is the obvious interest, es-
pecially of the neighboring nations, to
provide against injury to those who
may have committed high crimes with
in their borders, and who may have
sought refuge abroad. For this pur-
pose extradition treaties have been
concluded with several Of the Central
American Republics, and Others are in
progress.
THE vENEzUELAND FUND.
The sense of Congress is desired as
early as may be convenient upon the
proceedings of the commission on claims
against Venezuela and commented on
in the messages of March 4, 1869,
March 1st, 1870, and March 81, 1870
1t 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 TIEU-TsIN MAssACREs.
The massacre of French and Russian
residents at Tieu Tsin, under circum
stances of great barbarity, were sup
posed by some to have been premedita
ted, and to indicate purpose among
the populace to exterminate foreigners
in the Chinese Empire. The evidence
fails to establish such suppos.tion
but shows completely by the loca
authorities and the mob. The Govern
ment at Pekin, however, seems to have
been disposed to fulfil its treaty obi
cations, so far as it was able to do SO
Unfortunately the news of the war be
tween the German States and Franc,
reached China soon after the massacre
1t would appear that the popular minc
became possessed with the idea tina
this contest extending to Chinese wa
ters, would neutralize the Christian
influence and power, and that the tim
was coming when the superstition
mass might expel all foreigners and re
store mandarin influence. Anticipat
ing trouble from this cause, / invite'
France and North Germany to max
an authorized suspension of hostilitie
in the east. where they were tempora
rily suspended by act of the command
ers, to act together for the future pro
toction in China of the lives and prop
erty of Americans and Europeans.
EXCHANGE OF TREATY RATIFIcATIoNs
Since the adjournment of Congress
the ratification Of the treaty with Grea
Britain for abOlishing the mixed court
I for the suppression of the slave trad
have been exchanged. 1t is believe
that the slave trade is now confined t
the eastern coasts Of Africa. whenc
the slaves are taken to Arabian maj
kets. The ratification of the natural
zation Convention between Great Bri
ain and the United States have ais
been exchanged during the recess, an
thus long standing dispute betwee
the two governments has been settle
, in accordance with the principles a
ways contended for by the Unite
States.
RELOCATION OF OUR NORTHWESTERN
BOUNDARY LINE.
) In April last, while engaged in il
: eating a military reservation nes
| Pembina, corps of engineers dlsco'
: cred that the commonly received bouI
} Diary line between the United State
D and the British possessions at ths
5 place is about ffty-seveu hundred fe,
; south of the true position Of the zenit
! parallel, and that the line, when ru
4. ON what is now supposed TO be the tru
e position of that parallel, would leaN
D the fort of the Hudson Bay Compan
Q at Pembina within the territory of II
{ United States. This information bein
; communicated to the British Cover
e ment, l was requested to consent, an
r did consent that British occupation
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