Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-06

urge upon Congress early action, impressive OF
its views as to tho best means of acquiring
San Domingo. My suggestion is, that by a
Joint resolution of the two Houses OF
Congress, the executive be authorized
to appoint a commission to negotiate treaty
with the authorities of San Domingo for tho
acquisition of that island; that an appropria-
ton be made to defray the expenses of such
commission, and the question then be deter
mined by the action OF the two houses of Con-
gress upon a resolution of annexation, as in
the case of the acquisition of Texas. So con-
WINGED am | of the advantages to flow from the
acquisition of San Domingo, and OF the great
disadvantages, might almost say caiamities,
from the non-acquisition, that believe the
subject has only to be investigated to be ap-
proved.
1t is to be regretted that our representations
in regard to the injurious effects, especially
upon the revenue of the United States, Of the
policy of the Mexican government in exempt
ing from export duties the products ola large
tract of its territory on our borders, have not
only been fruitless, but that it is even pro-
posed in that country to extend the limits
within which the privilege adverted to has
been enjoyed. The expediency of taking
into serious consideration proper measures
for counteracting the policy referred to,
will. it is presumed. engage your earnest
attention. 1t is the obvious interest. es-
pecially of neighboring nations, to provide
against the impunity of those who may
have committed high crime within their bor-
ders, and who may have sought refuge
abroad. For this purpose, extradition treat
les have been concluded with several of the
Central American republics, and others are
in progress. The sense OF the Congress Is
desired as early as may be convenient, upon
the proceedings of the commission on the
claims against Venezuela, as communicated
in my messages of March 4th. 1869, March
LIST, 1870, and March 3ist, 1870. 1t has not
been deemed advisable to distribute any of the
money which has been received from the gov
eminent, until Congress shall have acted upon
the subject.
The massacre of the French and Russian
residents at Teintsin, under circumstances OF
great barbarity, were supposed by some to
have been premeditated, and in purpose
among the populace to exterminate foreigners
in the Chinese empire. The evidence fails to
establish such snpposition, but shows COM
plicity by the local authorities and the mob.
The government at Pekin, however, seems to
have been disposed to fulfill its treaty obliga-
tons, so far as it was able TO do SO. Unfor-
tuuately the news of war between the German
States and France reached China soon after
the massacre. 1t would appear that the pop
ular mind became possessed with the idea that
this contest extending to Chinese matters
would neutralize the Christian influence and
power, and that the time was coming when
the superstitious mass might expel all foreign
ers and restore the mandarin influence. An
ticipating trouble from this, invited France
and North Germany to make an authorized
suspension of hostiIities in the east, where
they were temporarily suspended by an 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 rat
iflcations Of the treaty with Great Britain, for
abolishing the mixed courts for the suppress
sion of the slave trade, have been exchanged
1t is believed that the slave trade is now con-
fined to eastern Africa, where the slaves are
taken to Cuban markets. The ratification of
the naturalization convention between Great
Britain and the United States, has also been
exchanged 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.
In April last, while engaged in locating
military reservation near Pembina, corps of
engineers discovered that the commonly re-
ceIved boundary line between the United
States and the British possessions at that
place Is dDUuL 4, IOo itti eoctu VA tuC ttut po-
sition of the 49th 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 Hudsons Bay Company at Penn
bina, and within the territory of the United
States. This information being communicated
to the British government, was requested to
consent, and did consent, that the British oc-
cupaiion of the fort of the Hudson's Bay Com
parry should continue for the present. deem
it important, however, that this part of the
boundary line should be definitely fixed by
joint commission of the two governments, and
/ submit herewith the estimates of the ex
penses of such a commission on the part of the
United States, and recommend an appropria-
ton for that purpose. The land boundary has
already been marked from the summit of the
Rocky Mountains to the Georgian Bay. 1t
should be now 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 rebel
lion. The cabinet of London, SO far as its
views have been expressed, does not appear
70 be willing to coneede that Her Majesty's
government was guilty Of negligence, or did
or permitted any &C, during the war by which
the nited states had just cause OF com
plant. Ny ever firm and unalterable con-
yictions are directly the reverse. | therefore
recommend to Congress 10 authorize the APP
pointment 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 government shall entertain the de-
sire for full and friendly adjustment of these
claims, the United States will enter upon their
consideration with an earnest desire for Il
conclusion consistent with the honor and in
tegrity Of both nations.
The course pursued by the Canadian au-
thorities towards the fishermen of the United
States during the past season, has not been
marked by friendly feeling. BY the first
article of the convention Of i7lS, between
Great Britain and the Urited 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
water which is therein defined. In the wa
tiers which are not included in the limits
named in the convention, within three miles
of the ports OF tie British coast, il has been
the custom for many years to give intruding
fishermen Of the Uniled States reasonable
warning of their violation of the technical