Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-08

his government to dlmlnlsh the corolallty VI
those relations. The hospitable reception
which has been given to the Grand Duke Is
proof that on our side we share the wishes
Of that government. The inexcusable course
of the Russian minister at Washington rem
dered it necessary to ask his recall, and TO
decline to longer receive that functlonary as
diplomatic representative. Ii was lmpos,
sible, with self-respector with just regard
to the dignity Of the country, to permit Mr..
Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse
with this government after his personal
abuse of government officials, and during
his persistent interference through various
means with the relations between the United
States and other Powers. In accordance
with my wishes, the government has been
relieved of further intercourse with Mr.
Catacazy, and the management Of the affairs
of the Imperial legation has passed into the
hands Of gentlsman entirely unobjectiona-
BILE.
With Japan We con inue to maintain M
innate relations. The Cabinet of the Mlka-
do 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 Observation-Disclosures of
the policy which the United States have
pursued towards Japan. Its our desire to
continue to maintain this 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 swerve from its
established course.
Prompted by desire to put an end to
the barbarous treatment of our shipwrecked
sailors on the Corean coast, / instructed our
minister at Pekin to endeavor to conclude q
convention with Corea for securing the safe
ty and humane treatment of such mariners.
Admiral Rodgers was instructed to accom-
pany him with sufficient force to protect
him in case of need A small surveying
party sent out, on reaching the coast, was
treacherously attacked at disadvantage -
Ample opportunity was given for explana-
ton and apology for the insult. Neither
came A force was then landed. After
an arduous march over rugged and diff
cult country the forts from which the out
RACES had been committed we're reduced by
a gallant assault and we're destroyed Hav-
ing thus punished the criminals, and having
vindicated tho honor of the flag, the expedi-
ton returned. Finding it impracticable
under the circumstances to conclude the de-
sired convention, respectfully refer to the
correspondence relating thereto herewith
submitted, and leave the subject for such
action as Congress may see fit to take.
The Republic of Mexico has not yet re-
pealed the very Objectionable laws establish
fng 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 lawless per.
sons on its frontiers-I hope that Mexico by
its own action will soon relieve this govern
ment of the difficulties experienced from
these CAUSES
Our relations with the various Republics
of Central and South America continue,
with one exception to be cordial and frindly
l recommend some action by Congress re-
garding the overdue instalments under the
award of the Venezuelan claims commission
of 1886
The internal diesensions of this govern.
ment present no justification for the absence
of efforts to meet their solemn treaty obliga-
tons. The ratification of an extradition
treaty with Nicarauga has been exchanged.
1t is subject for congratulation that the
great empire of Brazil has taken the initia.
tory step towards the abolition of slavery
Our relations with that empire, always cor.
dial, will naturally be made more so by this
act. 1t is not TOO much to hope that the
government Of Br' gil may hereafter find il
for its interest as we'll as intrinsically right
to advance toward entire emanci patton more
| rapidly than the present act contemplates.
The true prosperity and greatness Of ma.
tiou is to be found in the elevation and edu.
cation of its.laborers. 1t is subject for re-
greet that the reforms in the direction, which
were voluntarily promised by the statesmen
of Spain, have not been carriad out in its
West India colonies The laws and regu
lations for the appereut abolition Of slavery
in Cuba and Porto Rico leave most Of the
laborers in bondage, with no hope of release
| until their lives become burden 10 their
employers.
desire to direct your attention to the
fact that citizens Of the United States, OF
persons claiming to be citizens of the United
States, are large holders in foreign lands Of
the species of property forbidden by the fun
damental law Of their alleged country. ]
recommend to Congress to provide by strin
gent legislation q suitable rem dy against
the holding, owning or dealing in slaves, OF
being interested in slave property In foreign
lands either as owners, hirers OF mortgages
by citizens Of the United States
1t is to be regretted that the disturbed
condition Of the island of Cuba COLI sinues te
be source Of annoyance and of anxiety
The existence Of protracted struggle in
such close proximity to our own territory
without apparent prospect Of an early ter
mination, cannot be other than an object o.
concern to people, who while abstaining from
interference in the affairs of other Powers,
naturally desire to see every country in the
undisturbed enjoyment Of peace, liberty and
the blessings Of free institutions. Our na.
val commanders in Cuban waters have been
| instructed, in case it should become necessa
ry, to spare no effort to yrotect the lives and
property of bona jide American citizens, and
to maintain the dignity of the flag. It is
hoped thst all pending questions with Spain
growing out Of the affairs in Cuba. may be
adjusted in the spirit of peace and copoilia.
ton which has hitherto guided the two Pow
ers to their treatment of such questions,
70 give Importance and to add to the eff
ciency Of our diplomatic relations with Japan
and China, and to further aid in retaining
the good opinion of those, and to secure to
the United States its share Of the commerce
destined to flow between those nations and
the ha1anoa re .bo oon,marn;al world oarn