The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-12-14

this Government to sWerve from its
course.
Prompted by a desire to put an
end to the barbarous treatment Of
our shipwrecked sailors on the Core
an coast, [ instructed our Minister
at Pekin to endeavOr to conclude a
with Corea for securing
the safety and humane treatment Of
such mariners. Admiral P. Rodgers
was instructed to accompany him,
with a sufficient force to protect him
in case of need. A small surveying
party sent out, on reaching the coast,
was treacherously attacked at dis
advantage. Ample opportunity was
given for explanation and apology
for the insult. Neither came. A
force was then landed. After an ar
duous march over a rugged and diff
icult country, the forts from which
the outrages had been committed
were gaIlantly assaulted and were
destroyed. Having thus punished
the criminals and vindicated the
honor Of the flag, the expedition re-
turned, finding it impracticable, un-
der the circumstances, to conclude
the desired convention. I respect
fully refer to the correspondence re-
lating thereto, herewith submitted,
and leave the subject for such action
as Congress may see fit to take.
The Republic of Mexico has not
yet repealed the very Objectionable
law establishing what is known as
the Free Zone on the frontier of the
United States. 1t is hoped that this
may yet be done, and also that more
stringent measures may be taken by
that Republic for restraining Iawless
persons on its frontiers. I hope that
Mexico, by its own action, will soon
relieve this Government Of the diff
ficulties experienced from these
causes.
Our relations with the various Re
publics Of Central and South Amer
ica continue, with one exception, to
be cordial and friendly. 1 recon-
mend some action by Congress re-
garding the overdue instalIments
under the award Of the Venzuela
Claims Commission of 1866. The
internal dissensions of this Govern
ment present no justification for the
absence of efforts to meet their sol
emn treaty obligations. The ratif-
cation of an Extradition Treaty with
Nicaragua has been exchanged. II
is a subject for congratulation that
the great Empire of Brazil has taken
the initiatory steps toward the abo-
lition of slavery. Our relations with
that Empire, always cordial, will
naturally be made more so by this
act. 1t is not too much to hope
that the Government of Brazil may
hereafter find it to its interest, as
well as intrinsicaIly right, to ad.
vance toward entire emancipation
more rapidly than the present act
contemplates. The true prosperity
and greatness of a nation is to be
found in the elevation and education
of its laborers.
/ 1t is a subject of regret that the re,
| forms in this direction, which were
voluntarily promised by the states
men of Spain, have not been carried
out in its West Indian Colonies
The laws and regulations for the ap.
parent abolition of slavery in Cuba
and Porto Rico leave most of the la
borers in bondage, with no hope Ot
release until their lives become 9
burden to their employer. I desire
to direct your attention to the fact
that citizens of the United States are
large holders in foreign lands of thi:
species of property, forbidden by
the fundamental law of their adopt
ed country. I recommend to Con,
gress to provide by stringent legiSla
ton a suitable remedy against tne
holding, owning, or dealing il
slaves, or being interested in slave
property in foreign lands, either a;
owners, hirers, or mortgagers, by
/ citizens Of the United States.
1t is to be regretted that the dis
turbed condition of the island of Gu
ba continues to be a source of annoy
ance and Of anxiety. The existenc,
of a protracted struggle in such clos'
proximity to our own territory with
out apparent prospect of an early
termination can not be other thar
! an object of concern to a people who
while abstaining from interference
in the affairs of other powers, uatur
? ally desire to see every country il
the undisturbed enjoyment of peace
liberty and the blessings of free in
Istitutions.
\ Our naval commanders in CubaI
waters have been instructed, in cas-
it should become necessary, to SPAR
10 effort to protect the lives ant
property of bona tide American citi
zens, and to maintain the dignity o
/ the flag. It is hoped that all pend
. ing questions with Spain, growing
out of the affairs of Cuba, may b
adjusted in the spirit of peace ant
Cancellation which has hitherto guid
5 ed the two Powers in their treat
: ment of such questions.
To give importance, and to adj
[ to the efficiency of our diplomatic re
= lations with Japan and China, an
2 to further aid IN retaining the goo
b opinion of those people, and to ST
b cure 90 the United States its share