The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-08

the department OF state WIFI our uipiomhuC
abroad is transmitted
herewith.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
lam happy to announce the passage of
an act by the General Cortes of Portugal
proclaimed since the adjournment of con-
gress for the abolition of servitude in Por-
tugese colonies. 1t is to be hoped that |
such legislation may be another step toward |
the great contamination to be reached, |
when no man shall be permitted, directly |
or indirectly, under any guise excuse, or |
form of law, to hold his fellow-man in |
bondage. am of opinion also, that it is |
the dutyof the United States, las contributing |
toward that end, and required by the spirit |
of the age In which we live, to provide by
suitable legislation, that no citizen of the
United States shall hold slaves as property,
in any other country, or be interested
therein.
Chill has made reparation in the case of
the ship Good Return, seized without suf-
ficient cause, upwards of forty years ago
though she had hitherto denied her ac-
countability, the denial was never acquiesed
in by this government and the Justice OF
the claim has been SO earnestly cOntended
TOR that it has been gratifying that she
should have at last acknowledged 1t.
CLAIM DEoIDED.
The arbitrator in the case of the United
States steamer Montigo for the seizure and
detention of which the government of the
United States of Columbia was held ac-
countable, has decided in favor of the
claim that decision has settled question
which has been pending for several years
and which, while it continued open, might
more or less disturb the good understand
ing which 1t is desirable should be main
tanned between republics.
RECIPROCITY TREATY.
A reciprocity treaty with the king of the
Hawaiian islands was concluded some
months since it contains stipulation
that it shall not have effect until congress
shall enact the proper legislation for that
purpose copies of the instrument are
herewith submitted in order that if such be
| the pleasure of congress the necessary
legislation upon the subject be adopted
THE vIRGINIUs MATTER.
| In March last an arrangement was made
| through Mr.. Gushing, our minister in Ma
| drid, with the Spanish government for the
payment by the latter to the United States
! of the sum of $4,000 in coin for the pur-
| pose of the relief of the families or persons
| of the ships company and certain passengers
| of the Virgnius. The sum was to have
been paid in three instalments at two
| months each. 1t is due TO the Spanish
government that l should state that pay
ments were fully and spontaneously anti
| cipated by that government, and that the
whole amount was paid within but few
days more than two months from the date
of the agreement, copy of which is here
with transmitted. In pursuance of the
terms of adjustment, ] have. directed dis
tribution of the amount among the parties
entitled thereto, including ships company
and such of the passengers as were Amerl
can citizens. Payments were made accord
ingly on the application of the parties en-
titled thereto.
Il CUBAN AFFAIRS.
The past year has furnished no evidence
of an approaching termination of thu
ruinous conflict which has been waging fol
seven years il the neighboring island Of
Cuba the same disregard of the laws OF
civilized warfare and of the first, the just
demands of humanity, which have hereto
fore called forth expressions of condemna
ton from the nations of chrlstendom have
continued to blacken the sad scene; dcsoa
ton, ruin and pillage are pervading thi
fields of one of the most fertile and pro
, ductive regions of the earth; and the incen
diaries torch, firing plantations and valuable
, | factories and buildings, is the agent mark.
| ing the alternate advance or retreat of tn,
contcnding parties. The protracted con
tinuance of this strife seriously affects tn
interests of all commercial nations, bu
= those of the United States more than other
' by reason of its close proximity, its large
| trade and intercourse with Cuba, and tn
frequent and intimate personal and socia
, relations, which have grown up between
Its citizens and those of the island. More
! over, the property of our citizens in Cub
' is large and Is rendered insecure and de
! preciated in value and in capacity of pro
duction, by the continuance of strife an
! | the unnatural mode of its conduct. Tn
n | same Is true, differing only in degree, wit
| nations, and the absence of any REASONABLE
, assurance of near termination of tn
conflict, must of necessity soon con
q pei the states thus suffering to cor
: slider what the interests of thei
i own people and their duty toward then
o selves may demand have hoped Spai
would be enabled to establish peace in he
n colony, and to afford security to propert
: and to the interests of our citizens, and a
o low legitimate scope to trade and con
!. merce and the natural productions of ii
|. island. Because of this hope and from a
, extreme reluctance to interfere in the mo-
y remote manner in the affairs of another an
. friendly nation, especially, of one who's
r sympathy and friendship in the str,lgglin
v infancy of our own existence, must ever /
!. remembered with gratitude, have patien
T. ly and anxiously awaited the progress {
# events. Our own civil conflict is too n
"a cent for us not to consider the difficult,
r which surround government distracted b
n dynastic rebellion at home at the san
time that it has to cope with an insurrectio
in distant colony. But whatever cause
may have produced the situation whic
j. 30 previously affects our interests, It exis
} with all its attendant evils, operating que
u ly upon this country and its people. Thu
:, far, all the efforts of Spain have prove
u abortive, and time has marked no improv
ment in the situation The armed bands
= either side now occupy nearly the san
:, ground as in the past, with the differenc
- from time to time, of more lives sacrifice
- more property destroyed, and wider G
70 tents of fertile and productive fields, al
70 more and more of valuable property co
g stantly wantonly sacrificed to the incend
- ares torch. Ia contests of this natur
~ where a considerable body of people, wi
g have attempted TO free themselves of Il
=, control of the superior government, ha
=, reached such a point in the occupation
y territory, in power and in general organic
e ton, az TO constitute, in fact, boo
a polite, having a government in substan
~ as well as in name, possessed of elemen
of stability, and engaged with the mach
merry for the administration of intern
g. policy and the execution of its laws, pr
re pared and able to administer justice at hon
il as well as IN its dealings with other power
d 1t is within the province of these 9th
sc powers to recognize its existence as ne
a. and independent nation. In such case
q other nations simply deal with an actual
le existing condition of things, and recogni
II 1t as one of the powers of the earth til