The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-12-07

cuif country, the IOfts from HniCn inc
outrages had been committed were
galIantly assaulted and were destroy
ed. Having thus punished the crimi-
mails, and having vindicated the honor
of the nag, the expedition returned,
finding il impracticabie under the cir
cumstances to conclude the desired
Convention. I respectfully refer to
the correspondence relating thereto
herewith submitted, and leave the sub
ject for such action as Congress may
see fit to take.
RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
The Republic of Mexico has not yet
repealed tho very Objectionable laws
establishing what is kaown as the
{" Free Zone" on the frontier of the
United States. It is hoped that this
may yet be done and also that more
stringent measures may be taken by
that Republic for the restraining of
lawless persons on its frontiers. hope
that Mexico, by its own action, will
soon relieve this government OF the
difficulties experienced from these
causes.
RELATIONS WITH CENTRAL AND SOUTH
AMERICA.
Our relations with tho various Re-
PuOL1C0 Vi ACAlA 81 6AAA oOasA 1AAAN-
Ca continue, with one exception, to be
cordial aud friendly: 1 recommend
SONS action by congress regarding
the overdue installments under the
award of the Venezuelan claims com
mission Of 1866. The internal dissen-
sions of this government present no
to meet their solemn treaty obliga-
TAn e nf nYtPQhi-
ton treaty with Nicaragua has been
exchanged.
sLkyERY IN BRAzII. AND SPANISH AMER
ICA.
1t is q subject for congratuiation
that the great Empire of Brazil has
taken the initiatory steps towards the
abolition 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 for its interest as well as in
trinsically right to advance towards
entire emancipation more rapidly than
the present act contemplates. The true
prosperity and greatness of q nation is
to be found in the elevation and edu-
cation Of its laborers. 1t is subject
for regret that the reforRs in this di-
rectioR which were voluntarily prom
ised by the statesmen of Spain have
not been carried out in its West
Indian colonies. The laws and regu-
latioHs for the apparent abolition of
slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave
most of the laborers in bondage with
no hope of release until their lives be-
come burden to their employers. l
desire to direct your attention to the
fact that fhe citizens of the United
States are largely holders in foreign
lands of this species Of property for
hidden by the Fundamental law of
their alleged country. / recommend
to congress to provide by stringent
legislation suitable remedy against
the holding, owning, or dealing in
slaves or being interested in slave
property in foreign lands, either as
owners, hirers, or mortgagers by per-
go of the United States.
TREATY WITH ITALY.
| The ratification OF the new treaty Of
commerce between the United States
and Italy have been exchanged. The
two powers have agreed in their trea-
ty that property at sea shall be exempt
from capture in case of war between
the two powers. The United States
have spared no opportunity of incor-
porating this rule into the obligations
of nations.
REL ATOMS WITH SPAIN.
| The Forty-first Congress at its third
session made an appropriation for the
organization OF a mixed commission
for adjudicating upon the claims of
citizens of the United States against
Spain, growing out of the insurrec-
ton in Cuba. That commission has
since been organized. and transmit
| herewith the correspondence relating
to its formation and its Jurisdiction.
1t is to be hoped that this commission
will afford the claimants q complete
remedy for their injuries. 1t has been
made the agreeable duty of the Unit
ed States to preside over q conference
at Washington bet ween the PleDipo-
| tentiaries of Spain and the allied a
meriean Republic, which has resulted
| in an armistice, with the reasonable
assurance of a permanent peace.
| RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
The intimate friendly relations which
have SO long existed between
the United. States and Russia csutin-
ne undisturbed. The visit of the third
son OF the Emperor is proof that there
is no desire on the part of his govern
ment to diminish the cOrdiality of
those relations. The hospitabIe recep-
tion which has been given to the
Grand Duke is q proof that on our
side we share the wishes of that gov
ernment.
The inexcusable course of the Rus
sian minister at Washington rendered
| it necessary to ask his recall, and to
decline to longer receive that func-
tionary as diplomatic representative.
1t was impossible with self-respect or
with Just regard to the dignity of
the country to permit Mr.. Catacszy to
continue to hold intercourse with this
government after his abuse of govern
ment officials, and during his persist
ent interference through various
means with the relations between the
United States and other powers. In
accordance with my wishes this gov
ernment 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 a gentleman entirely unob-
! jectionable.
JAPAN. n4
| With Japan We continue to main
| tain intimate relations. The Cabinet
of Mikado has, since the close of last
session of congress, selected citizens
of the United States to serve in offices
of Importance in the several depart
inents of government. | have reason
to think that this selection ia due to
an appreciation of the disinterested-
ness of the policy which the United
States have preserved towards Japan.
1t is our desire to continue to main
tain this disinterested and just policy
with China as we'll as Japan. The cor
respOndence transmitted herewith
shows that there is no disposition on
the part of this government to swerve
from its established course.
cUgA.
1t is to be regretted that the disturbed condi-
tion OF the Island OF Cuba continues to be q
source OF annoyance and anxiety. The exist
ence of protrscted struggle in such close prox-
unity 10 our own territory. without apparent
prospect of An carly termination cannot be 9TH
er than object OF concern to people who