The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-12-11

Of commerce and cultivation of mutual inter
ests, have steadily improved our relations
with the large majority of the powers OF the
world, rendering practicable the peaceful so
luton of questions which from time to tint
necessarily arise, leaving few which demand
extended or particular notice. "
The correspondence of the Department o.
State with Cur diplomatic representatives
abroad is transmitted herewith. am happy
TO announce the passage of an act by the Gen
eral Cortcs of Portugal, proclaimed since the
adjournment of Congress, tor the abolition o.
scrvitude IN the Portuguese colonies,
II is to be hoped that such legislation may
be another step onward IN the great consum
nation to be reached when no man shall Dt
permitted, directly or indirectly, under any
guise, excuse, or form OF law, TO hold ms lel
bowman in bondage. am of the opinion
TOO, thai II is the duty of the United States, as
contributing toward that end, and required
bv the spirit of the age in, which we live, 70
provide BY suitable legislation, that no citi
zen of the United States shall hold slaves as
property in any other country, or be lnteres
ted therein.
| Chill has made repara,ion IN the case OF the
whale ship Good Return, seized without sui
ficIen. cause upwards Of forty years ago
Though she had hitherto denied her account
ability, the denial was never acquiesced In by
this Government, and the justice of the claim
has been so earnestly contested for, that 1t has
been gratifying that she should have acknowl
edged it.
The arbitrator in the case Of the United
States steamers Monlijo, for the seizure and
detention of which the Government OF the
United States of Columbia was held account
able, has decided in favor of the claim. This
decision has settled question which has
been pending for several years, and which,
while it continued open, might more or less
disturb the good understanding which it is
desirable should be maintained between the
Republics.
A reciprocity treaty with the King Of the
Hawaiian Islands was concluded some months
ago. 1t contains stipulation that 1t shall
not 90 into effect until Congress shall enact
the proper legislation for the purpose. Cop
les Of the instrument are herewith submitted,
in order that If such should be the pleasure
of Congress, the necessary legislation upon
the subject may be adopted.
In March last. an arrangement was made
through Mr.. Cushing our Minister in Madrid,
with the Spanish Government, for the pay
ment by the latter to the United States of the
sum of $4,000 In coin for the purpose of the
relief of the families or persons OF the ship
company and certain passengers OF the Nlr-
gnius. This sum was to have been paid IN
three lnstallments Of two months each. 1t is
due to the Spanish Government that should
state that the payments were fully and speed
lily anticipated by that Government and that
the whole amount was paid within but a few
days more than two months from the date OF
agreement, a copy of which is herewith trans
mitted. In pursuance of the terms OF adjust.
nent | have directed distribution of the
amount among the parties entitled thereto,
including the ships company and such ofthe
passengers as were American citizens Pay
ments are made accordingly on the applica.
ton Of the parties entitled thereto.
Tho past year has furnished no evidences
of an approaching close Of the iuinous con-
ficts which have been raging for seven years
in the neChboring island OF Cuba. The same
disregard of the laws of civilized warfare,
and OF the Just demands of humanity, which
have heretofore called forth expressions Of
condemnation from the nations Of christen-
DOM have continued to backen the sad scene
Desolation, ruin and pillage are pervadlng
the rich fields of one of the most fertile and
productive regions of the earth, and the in
cendiaries' torch, firing plantations, and val.
liable factories and buildings, Is the agent
marking the alternate advance or retirement
of cOntending parties. The protracted con
lnuancc of the strife seriously affects inter
ests of all commercial nations but those OF
the United States more than others, by rea-
son of close proximity, its larger trade and
intercourse with Cuba, and the frequent and
intimate personal and social relations which
have grown up between It's citizens and those
of the island Moreover, the property of our
citizens IN Cuba is large, and is rendered in
secure and deprecated ia value and in capac-
ity Of production. BY the continuance ofthe
strife and the unnatural mode of 1t conduct,
the same Is true, differing only in degree
with respect TO the interests and people Of
other nations, and the absence of any reason
able assurance of a near termination Of the
conflict, must of necessity soon compel the
States thus suffering TO consider what the in
terests of their own people and their duty to-
ward themselves may demand. / have hoped
Spain would be enabled to establish peace in
her colony, to afford security to the property
and to the interests of our citizens, and allow
legitimate scope TO trade and commerce and
the natural production of the island. Be
cause Of this hope, and from the extreme re-
luctance to interfere in the affairs of another
and a friendly nation, especially of one whose
sympathy End friendship in the struggling
infancy OF our existence must ever be remem-
bered with gratitude, | have patiently and
anXiously waited the progress OF events. Our
own civil conflict is too recent for us not to
consider the difficulties which surround n
government distracted by dynastic rebellion
al home, at the same time that il has to cope
with separate instruction in II distant col
ony. But whatever causes may have pro
duccd the situation which SO grievously al
fects our interests, it exists with all its attend
ant evils, operating directly upon this coun
try and ITS people. Thus far all the efforts
of Spain have proved abortive, and time la,
marked no improvement in the situation
The armed bands of either side now occupy
nearly the same ground as in the past, with
the difference from time to time of more lives
sacrificed, more property destroyed, and wi
der extent of fertile and productive fields
and more valuable property constantly anC
wantony sacrificed to the incendiaries torch
In contests of this nature, when consider
able body of people who have attempted It
free themselves Of the control of the superio
government have reached such point in oc
cupation of territory, IN power, and in gencr
al organization as To constitute in TACT bod
polite, having government in substance II
A.