Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-12

| tnat tle lTituuiy IeelingS or that g0Vernmei
are fully shared by the United States. I'll
ratification of the consular and naturalizatio
conventions with the Austro Hungarian En-
pire have been exchanged I have been of
cially informed of the annexation of the State
of the Church to the Kingdom of Italy, an
the removal of the capital of that kingdom t
Rome. 81
In conformity with the established policy
| the United States have recognized this change
The ratiEcations Of the new treaty of commerc
between the United States and Italy have bee
exchanged. The two powers have agreed i
this treaty that private property at sea shall b
exempt from capture in case of war betwee
the two powers. The United States has spare
no opportunity Of incorporating this rule int
the obligation of nations The Forty-frst Con
gress. at its third session, made an appropria
ton for the organization Of a mixed Commis
sion for adJud'catlng upon the claims of citizen
OF the United States against Spain growing ou
of the insurrection in Cuba. That Commission
has since been organized. transmit herewith
the correspondence relating to its formation
and its jurisdiction. 1t is to be hoped that thi
Commission will afford the claimants com
plete remedy for their injuries. It has beer
made the agreeable duty of the United State
TO preside over Conference at Washington
between the plenipotentiaries of Spain and tht
allied South American republics which has re-
suited in an armistice, with the reasonable as
surance of permanent peace.
The Intimate friendly relations which have sc
long existed between the United States and
Russia continue nndisturbed The visit of the
third son Of the Emperor is proof that there
is no desire on the part of his government to
diminish the cordiality of those relations. The
hospitable reception which has been given to
the Grand Duke is proof that on our side we
share the best wishes of that government The
ipexcusable course of the Russian Minister, at
Washington, rendered it necessary to ask his
recall, and 10 decline to longer receive that
functionary IS diplomatic representative. It
was impossible, with self respect, or with just
regard to the dignity Of the country, to permit
Mr.. Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse
with this government aft his personal abuse
of government officials. and during his persis-
tent interference, through various means, with
the relations between the United States and
other powers
In accordance with my wishes, the govern
ment has been relieved of further intercourse
with Mr.. Catacazy, and the management of the
affairs OF the Russian legation has passed into
the hands of a gentleman entirely unobjec-
tionable
With Japan We continue to maintain intimate
relations The cabinet of the Mikado has,
since the close of the last session Of Congress,
selected citizens of the United States to serve
in offices of importance In several departments
of government. | have reason to think that
this selection is due to an appreciation of the
dlslnterestedness of the policy which the Uni
ted States have pursued towards Japan. 1t is
our desire to continue to maintain this disinte-
rested and just policy with China as we'll as
Japan. The correspondence transmitted here
with shows that there is no disposition on the
part OF the government 10 swerge from its es-
tablished course
Prompted by desire to put an end to the
barbarous treatment OF our ship-wrecked sal
lors on the Corean coast, instructed our min
lister at Pekin to endeavor to conclude con-
yention with Corea for securing the safety and
humane treatment of such marines. Admiral
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 treacherousiy 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 rugged and difficult coun-
try, the forts from which the outrages had been
committed were reduced by gallant assault
and were destroyed. Having thus punished
the criminals, and having vindicated the honor
of the flag, the expedition returned. Finding
it impracticable, under the circumstances, to
conclude the desired convention, | respectfully
refer to the correspondence relating thereto,
herewith submitted, and leave the subject for
such action as Congress may see best to take.
The republic OF Mexico has not yet repealed
the very Objectionable laws establishing what is
known as he free zone on the frontier OF
the United States. 1t is hoped that this may
yet be done, and also that more stringent meas
ures may be taken by that republic for restrain
ing lawless persons On Its frontiers. l hope
that Mexico, by it's own action, will soon relieve
this government Of the difficulties experienced
from these causes.
Our relations with tho various republics ol
Central and South America continue, with one
exception, to be cordial aud friendly.
| recommend some acGlon OF Congress regard
ing the overdue ustalmenis under the award
of the Vcpzuean Claims Commission of 1866.
The internal dissensions of this government
present no Justification for the absence of effort
to meet their solemn treaty obligations.
The ratification of an extfadltlon treaty with
Nicaragua has been exchanged.
1t is a subject for congratulatlon that the
great Empire of Brazil has taken the lnitiatorJ
step towards the abolition OF slavery. Our re-
lations with that Empire, always cordial, viii
naturally be made more SO by this act. 1t is
not too much to hope that the government OF
Brazil may hereafter find it for its interest as
we'll as intrinscaliy right to advance toward en-
tire emancipation more rapidly than the present
act contemplates.
The true prosperity and greatness OF nation
is to be found in the elevation and education Of
its laborers. It is a subject for regret that the
reforms in this direction, which were voiunta
rlly promised by the statesmen OF Spain, have
not been carried cut in its West India colonies
The laws sand regulations for the apparent abo
lition of slavery In Cuba and Porto Rlc0 leave
most OF the laborers In bondage, with no hops
of release, until their lives become burden t(
their employers | desire to direct your atten
ton to the fact, that citizens OF tie Unltec
States, or persons claiming to be citizens OF tht
United States, are large holders 10 foreign iand'
of this species of property, forbidden by the
fundamental law OF their alleged country.
recommend TO Congress TO pr0vlde, oy stringent
legislation, a suitable remedy against the hold
ing, owning or dealing in slaves, or being inter
ested In slave property In foreign LANDS, either
as owners, hirers or mortgages, by cltlzens o
the United States.
1t is to be regretted that the disturbed condi
ton of the Island of Cuba continues to be
source Of annoyance and Of anxiety. The ex
istence of a protracted struggle IN such clos'
proximity to our own territory, without appa
rent prospect Of an early termination, canno
be other than an object OF concern to p opI
who, while abs,aining from interference In th
affairs of other powers, naturally desire to SCI
every country 10 the undisturbed enjoyment 0
peace. liberty, and the blessings OF free institu
tions Our naval commanders in Cuban water
have been instructed, In case it should becom
necessary, to spare no effort to protect the live
and property Of bona fde American citizens