Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-12-08

dC leaSC as relaUeS 10 UnOSe VINO were
citizens of the United States, were with
out due process of law, put to death.
1t is weIl-established principle, assert
ed by the United States from the begin
ming of their national independence,
recognized by Great Britain and other
maritime powers, and stated by the Sen
ate in a resolution passed unanimously
ON the 10Th of June, 1868, that Ameri-
can vessels on the high seas, in time of
peace, bearing the American flag, re-
main under the jurisdiction of the coun-
try to which they belong, and, therefore,
any visitation, molestation or detention
of such vessel by force or by the exhib-
ition Of force, on the part of a foreign
power, is in derogation of the sovereign
ty of the United States In accordance
with this principle, the restoration of
the Virginius and the surrender of the
survivors of her passengers and crew,
and due PREPARATION to our flag, and the
punishment of the authorities who had
been guilty of these illegal acts of VIC
lence, were demanded. The Spanish
Government has recognized the justice
of the demand, and has arranged for
the immediate delivery of the vessel,
and for the surrender of the survivors
of the passengers and crew, and for
salute to the flag, and for proceedings
looking to the punishment of those who
may be proved to have been guilty of
illegal acts of violence towards citizens
of the United States, and also towards
indemnifying those who may be shown
to be entitled to indemnity. A copy of
a protocol of conference between the
Secretary of State and the Spanish Min
lister, in which the terms of this arrange
ment were agreed to, is transmitted
herewith. The correspondence on this
subject with the legation of the United
States is by cypher and by cable, and
and needs the verifcation of the actual
text of the correspondence. 1t has SEEM
ed to me to be due the Importance of
the case not to submit this correspond
ence until the accurate text can be re-
ceived by mail. 1t is expected shortly,
and will be submitted when received.
In taking leave of this subject for the
present, l wish to renew the expression
of my conviction that the existence OF
African slavery in Cuba is principle
cause of the lamentable condition of the
island.
1 do not doubt that Congress shares
with me the hope that it will soon b.
made to disappear, and that peace anG
prosperity may follow its abolition. The
embargoing of American estates in Cuba
the cruelty to American citizens detect
ed in no act of hostility to the Spanish
Government, the numbering of prisoner
taken with arms in their hands, and
finally, the capture upon the high sea
of vessel sailing under the United
| States flag and bearing United State
registry, has eliminated in an outburs
of Indignation that has seemed for tim
to threaten war. Pending negotiation
, between the United States and the Gov
eminent of Spain, on the subject of tn
5 capture, [ have authorized the Secretar
: of the Navy to put our navy on wa
f footing, to the extent, at least, of tn
entire annual appropriation for tia
branch of the service, trusting to Cor
y gress and the opinion of the America
people to justify my action.
: Assuming, from the action of the la
e Congress in appointing Committee g
f Privileges and Elections, to prepal
n and report to this Congress a constit
t. tional amendment to provide a bett
method of electing the. President al
3 Vice President of the United States, al
also from the necessity of such an amen
If ment that there will be submitted to Il
l. State Legislatures, for ratification, SUI
c. an improvement in our Constitution,
v suggest two others for your consider
ID ton First, to authorize the executi
to to approve of so much of any measu
i'd passing the two houses of Congress
e, his judgment may dictate, without a
IN proving the whole, the disapproved pr
lie ton or portions to be subjected to t
c. same rules as now, to wit to be ref
x red back to the house in which the me;
g. -ure or measures originated, and, if pa
he ed by two-thirds vote of the two ho1
Mt es, then to become law without the 6
of proval of the President. | would a
id to this provision that there should
IN no legislation by Congress during
of last twenty-four hours of its sitting.
his cept upon vetoes, in order to give
ed executive an opportunity to examine q
ed approve or disapprove the bills und
ad standlngly. Second, to provide
or amendment that when an extra sess
red of Congress is convened by execut
cps proclamation, legislation during the C
po- tinuance of such extra session shall
nd confined to such subjects as the exc
ing tive may bring before it from time
has time in writing.
lba FINANCIAL TOPICS DISCUSSED.