Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-08


party seems quite capable of working great in.
jury and damage to the other, as we'll as to all
the relations and interests dependent on the
existence of peace in the island, but they seem
incapable or reaching any Adjustment aud both
have thus tar failed of achieving any success,
whereby one party shall possess and control the
island to the exclusion of the other. Under
these circumstances the agency of Others either
oy mediation or by intervention, seems to be
the only alternative which must sooner or later
DC invoked Tor the termination of the strife.
AT the same time, while thus impressed, do
not at this time recommend the adoption of
any measure OF intervention. shall be ready
at all times, and as the equal friend of both
parties, to respond to suggestion that the
good offices of the United States will be ac-
ceptabe to aid 10 bringing about peace hon
orable to both.
ADJUSTMENT OF DIFFERENCES.
1t is due to Spain, so far as this Government
is concerned, that the agency of third Power,
TO which have adverted, shall be adopted
only as last expedient. Had it been the de.
sire OF the United States to interfere in the
affairs OF Cuba repeated opportunities for 80
dong nave been presented 10 the last few
years but We have remained passive, and have
obligations to Spain with friendship, fairness
and fidelity, and with spirit of patience and
forDearance which negatives every possible
suggestion of desire to Interfere, or TO add 70
the difficulties with which she has been sur
rounded. The Government of Spain has re
ecntly submitted to our Minister at Madrid
certain proposals, which it is hoped may be
found to be the basis if not the actual submis
sion, or terms, to meet the requirements Of the
particular griefs to which this Government has
feit Itself entitled to complain. These propo-
sails have not yet reached me 10 their full text
On their arrival they will be taken into careful
examination, and may, | hope, lead to salts
factory adjustment OF the questions to which
they refer, and remove the possibility of future
occurrences such as have given rise to our lust
complaints.
1t is understood also that renewed efforts
are being made to introduce reforms in the 10.
tcrnal administration of the island Persuaded,
however that proper regard for the interests
OF The United States and of its citizens entitIe
1T to relief from the stra in to which il has been
subjected by the difficulties Of the questions,
aud tie wrongs and losses which arisa from the
cIutest IN CUBA, and that the interests of hu.
mainly lscif demand the cessation of the strife
before the whole island shall be laid waste aud
larger sacrifices Of life BIZ made, shall feel 1t
my duty, should my hopes of satisfactory ad-
justmcnt and Of the early restoration of peace
and the renewal OF future causes of COMPLAINT
Oe unhappllysdlsappointcd, to make further
communication to Congress at some period not
far remote, and during the present session.
recommending what may then seem to me to
be necessary.
THE MEXICAN FRONTIER.
The Free Lane, so called, several years since
established by the Mexican Government in
certain OF the States of that Republic adjacent
to our frontier, remains in full operation. II
has always been materially Injurious to honest
traffic, for it operates As an incentive to traders
III Mexico to supply, without customs charges,
the wants OF Inhabitants on this side the line.
and prevents the same wants from being SUP
pied BY the merchants of the United States,
thereby, to considerable extent, detraudips
our revenue and checking honest commercial
enterprise. DepradatIuns by armed bands from
Mexico on the people of Texas near the from
tier continue. Though the main object of these
lncursons Is robbery, they frequently result 10
the murder OF the unarmed aud peaceabIy dis
posed persons, and IN some instances even the
Uutcd States post Offices and mail c0mmup;-
cations have been attack d. Renewed rcmou-
strances upon this subj CT have been addressed
10 the Mexican Government, but without much
apparent effect. The military force of this
GOycrnmGut tlsposablc in that quarter is quite
inadequate to ctfcctually guard the line even
at those points where the incurSons are usually
made. Au experiment Of an armed vessel on
the Rio Grandc for that purpose is on trial,
and it is huped that, if not thwarted by the
shaliowncSs OF the river and other natural ob
ccS, it may materially contribute to the
herdSnrn Of Texas.
The proceedings Of the Joint Commission
under the Convention between the United
States aud Mexico Of the 4lh July, 1865, on
the subject Of Claims, will soon be broue ht to a
close. The result Of those proceedings will be
Communicated to Congress.
SETTLEMENTS AND TREATIES.
| am happy to announce that the Govern
ment Of Venezuela has, upon further consid-
GRAFTON, practically aband ned its objection to
pay to the United States that share of its rev
enuc which some years since it allotted
towards the eX,inguishment of the claims of
foreigners generally ln thus reconsiderne its
determination, that Government has shown
Just sersa Of selt-respcct which cannot fail to
reflect credit upon it in the eyes of all dislnter-
estcd persons elsewhere. 1t is to be regretted,
however, thatlts payments on account of claims
of citizens Of the United States arc still so mea-
gre III amount, and that the stipulatous of the
Treaty IN regard to the SUNS to be paid and the
periods which those payments we're to take
place, should have been so sgnaIly disre-
gardcd
Since ny last annual message the exchange
has been made Of the ratification of treaty of
commerce aud navigation with Belgium, and
of convention with the Mexican Republic for
the further extension Of the joint commission
respecting claims; with the Hawaiian islands for
commercial reciprocity, and with the Ottoman
Empire for cxtradition, ali OF which have been
duly proclaimed.
COURT OF COMMISSIONERS OF ALABAMA
CLAIMS.
The Court Of Commissioners of Alabama
Claims has prosecuted its important duties very
assduously and very satisfactorily. 1t convened
and was organized Cd the Cpd day of July.
1874, aud by the terms of the act under which
It was created was TO exist for ono vnar from,