Litchfield enquirer., 1871-12-14


 is to be hoped that this commission pl llE afford the claimants q complets rel
 for their injuries. B 4sy98 sssas I It has been made the agreeabl sduti of
 the United States to preside over bn ference at Washington, beEN6en tie nfns ' ipotentiaries .at Spaine5nd tho allies2 ]sia: American Republics, which has resnleds in an armistice with the reasonable ks-' surance of permanent peace. z
 OUR RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
 The intimate friendly relations whIch
 have so long existed between the Unihd. States and Russia continue undisturbdl. The visit of the third son of the Emperd
 IS proof that there is no desire on tlb. part of his Government to diminish tlbl cordiality of those relations The hos pitable reception which has been given rs the Grand Duke Is proof that, on otls side, we share the wishes of that Govern l ment. The inexcusable course of thB Russian Minister at Washington rendels 1t necessary to ask his recall, and to de
 cline longer to receive that functionary as 1 diplomatic representative It was ina l possible, with self respect or with just regard to the dignity of the country, to permit Mir. Catacazy to continue to hold 1 intercourse with this Government, after hls personal abuse of government officials, and during his persistent interference, through various means, with the relations l between the United States and other pow CTS. In accordance with my wishes, this Government has been relieved of further 1 intercourse with Mir. Catacazy, and the management of the affairs of the Imperial legation has passed into the hands of a gentleman entirely unobjectionable. JAPAN AND CHINA. With Japan We continue to maintain ill., 1 innate relations. The cabinet of the Mi- 1 kado has, since the close of the last ses- 1 sion of Congress. selected citizens of the United States to serve in offices Of in- portance in several departments of gov ernment. have reason to think that this selection IS due to an appreciation. of the disinterestedness of the policy which the United States have pursued towards Japan. It is our desire to continue to continue to maintain disinterested and just policy with China as well as Japan. The correspondence transmitted herewith shows that there is no disposition on the part of this Government to swerye from the established course Prompted by $ desire to put an end to the barbarous treatment of our shipwreeked sailors on the Corean coast, instructed our minis 1 ter at Pekin to endeavor to conclude a convention with Corea, for securing the safety and humane treatment of such mar iners. Admiral Rodgers was instructed to accompany him with sufficient force to protect the line in case of need. A small surveying party sent out on reach ing the coast was treaeherOusly attacked at 3 disadvantage. Ample opportunity was given for explanation and apology for the insult Neither came. A force was then landed. After an arduous march over rugged hills and difficult country, the forts from which the outrage had been committed were reduced by a gal l lant assault and were destroyed. Having thus punished the criminals, and having vindicated the honor of our flag, the ex- pedition returned, finding it impracticable under the circumstances to conclude the 1 desired convention. I respectfully refer to the correspondence relating thereto herewith submitted and leave the subject 1 for such action as Congress may see fit tu take.
 5 THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO has not yet repealed the very objection able laws establishing what is known as the free zone" on the frontier of the l United States. It is hoped that this may yet be done and also that more stringent measures may be taken by that republic for restraining lawless persons on it's frontiers hope that Mexico by it's own action will soon relieve this government of the difficulties experienced from these causes. Our relations with the various republics of #58.l5 tf8
 w CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
 continue, with one exception, to be cor dial and friendly. | recommend some ac- tion by Congress regarding the overdue installments under the award of the Ven- ezuela Claims Commission of 1866. The internal dissensions of this government present no justification for the absence of effort to meet their solemn treaty obliga- tions. The ratification of an extradition | treaty with Nicaragua has been exchang- l ed. a4ss U3 SasA08 4sa &5Ets sts issf88fs}{ 7t ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN BRAZIL.
 It is subject for congratulation that the great Empire of Brazil has taken the initiatory steps towards the abolition of 1 slavery. Our relations with that Empire, always cordial, will naturally be made more so by this act. It is not too much to hope that the government of Brazil may hereafter find it for it's interest, as well as intrinsically right, to advance tow l ard entire emancipation more rapidly than the present act contemplates. The true prosperity and greatness of nation l is to be found in the elevation and educa- tion of it's laborers. ia s9sz
 saas1aes SLAVERY IN THE WEST INDIES. 1 i I It is subject for regret that the re- forms in this direction which were volun- tarily promised by the statesmen of Spain have not been carried out in the West In I dia colonies. The laws and regulations for the apparent abolition of. slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave most of the laborers in bondage with no hope of re- lease until their lives become burden to their employers. I desire your attention to the fact that the citizens of the United States are large holders in foreign lands of this species of property, forbidden by the fundamental law of their alleged dcoun- try. recommend to Congress to provide by stringent Legislation suitable remedy against the holding, owning or dealing in slave property in foreign lands either as owners, hirers or mortgagers by citizens 1 Ol tuc Ouiteeu DtateS. l fsA CUBA 8sa4agsxsss
 l It is to be regretted that the disturbed eondition of the Island of Cuba continues to be source of annoyance and anxiety. The existence of protracted struggle in such close proximity to our own territo- Try, without apparent prospect of an early termlnati0n, cannot be other than an ob- iect of concern to a people who, while ab- staining from interfering in the affairs of other powers, naturally desire to see every country in the andisturbed enjoyment of peace, liberty. and the blessings of free institutions. Our naval commanders ia Cuban waters have been instructed. iin case it should be necessary to spare no efforts to protect the lives and property of 6on0 fde American citizens, and to main tain the dignity of the flag It is hoped that an-peAding questions with Spain growing out of the affairs with Cuba. mav fo adi11afkd in k3n crsisst <sf .,os .,<. ...~ I