The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-16 00:00:00

THE POST-OFFICE.

t) The report of the Postmaster-General presents fully the
condition of that department of the Government. Its ex-
penditures for the last fiscal year were 10,478,868 doh; ;
and its gross receipts 7,628,801 dole—making an excess of
expenditure over receipts of 2,787,046 dole. The deficiency
of this Department is thus, 741,000 doll greater than for
the year ending June 30, 1853. Of this deficiency,
330,000 dole. is to be attributed to the additional compen-
sation allowed Postmasters by the act of Congress of J une
22, 1854. The mail facilities in every part of the country
have been very much increased in that period, and the
large addition of railroad service, amounting to 7,808
miles, has added largely to the cost of transportation.
The considerable augmentation of the income of the
Post Office Department under the reduced rates of postage,
and its increased expenditures must, for the present, make
it dependent to some extent upon the Treasury for sup-
port. The recommendations of the Postmaster-General in
relation to the abolition of the franking privilege, and his
views on the establishment of mail steam-ship lines, peserve
the consideration of Congress. I also call the special at-
tention of Congress to the statement of the Postmaster-
General respecting the sums now paid for the transporta-
tion of mails to the Panama Railway Company, and com-
mend to their early and favourable consideration the sug-
gestions of that officer in relation to new contracts for mail
transportation upon that route, and also upon the Tehuan-
tepec and Nicaragua routes.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The United States continue in the enjoyment of amic-
able relations with all foreign Powers.
When my last annual Message was transmitted to Con-
gress, two subjects of controversy, one relating to the en-
listment of soldiers in this country for foreign service, and
the other to Central America, threatened to disturb the
good understanding between the United States and Great
Britain. Of the progress and termination of the former
question you were informed at the time ; and the other is
now in the way of satisfactory adjustment.
The object of the convention between the United States
and Great Britain of the 19th of April, 1850, was to secure,
for the benefit of all nations, the neutrality and the com-
mon use of any transit way, or interoceanic communica-
tion across the Isthmus of Panama which might be opened
within the limits of Central America. Tho pretension
subsequently asserted by Great Britain to dominion or
control over territories in or near two of the routes, those
of Nicaragua anti Honduras, were deemed by the United
States not merely incompatible with the main object of
the treaty, but opposed even to its express stipulations.
Occasion controversy on this point has been removed by
an additional treaty, which our Minister at London has
concluded, and which will be immediately submitted to
the Senate for its consideration. Should the proposed
supplemental arrangement be concurred in by all the par-
ties to be affected by it, the objects contemplated by the
original convention will have been fully attained.
The treaty between the United States and Great Britain,
of the sth June, 1851, which went into effective operatiou
in 18 5, put an end to causes of iiritatiou between the two
countries, by securing to the United States the right of
fishery on the coast of the British North American pro-
vinces, with advantages equal to those enjoyed by British
subjects. Beside the signal benefits of this treaty to a
largo class of our citizens engaged in a pursuit connected to ,
no inconsiderable degree with our national prosperity and
strength, it has had a favourable effect upon other inte-
rests, in the provision it made for reciprocal freedom of
trade between the United States and the British provinces
in America.
The exports of domestic articles to those provinces during
the last year amounted to more than 22 millions of dollars,
exceeding those of the preceding year by nearly seven mil-
lions of dollars ; and the imports therefrom, during the
sane period, amounted to more than 22 millions—an in-
crease of six millions upon those of the previous year.
The improved condition of this branch of our commerce
is ;vainly attributable to the above-mentioned treaty.
Pesovision was made in the first article of that trweatiycbfotrbae
commioion to designate the mouths of rivers to b
common l'ight of fishery on the coast of the United States
and the Brit.'sh provinces was to extend. This.commtission
has been etnplo.,ved apart of two seasons, buwitthwouss much
progress
in
accomplishing the object for which
tween the commissio:ters, not oniZ
insti-
tuted, in consequeeTe of a serious dasiffetroentcbeeopfroepciinseiopnoinet-
as to
where the rivers term:.fiate, many
instancesisa
what constitutes a river. These difficalties,. however, y
but
provided for by the
be overcome by resort to ti:e umpirage
treaty. ace
tradethe commence-
The
hmee nßcael--
eTuhteoef efforts perseveringlyts
Administration ptroo sreeel
nietedve oaiu
tic from tltiteeenxdaecdtiwonitobfsSuoccuensds-Ducietsbbeyr
GoDeev,emirinkehbatvsebna‘o,te
yet been a
also sought to obtain a like relief to their col umerce, and
Denmark was thus induced to propose an a rrafieernent
to all the European Powers interested in the en bject ; and
the manner in which her proposition was received war-
ranting her to believe that a satisfactory arrangement
with them could soon be concluded, she made a st."ong
ap-
peal to this Government for temporary suspension of de.
finite action on its part, in consideration of the emb tv.rass-
ment which might result to her European negotiation's by
an immediate adjustment of the question \With the Un ittd
States.
This
cbt
ee been a accededft:r the
lto, t
bu p.oofn theune
last,on dta ionma
uthnatihltits hheeal request
uemtha has
collected
J ollesd
June next, from vessels and cat does ,be-
longing to our merchants, are to be considered Lass paid
undar protest and subject to future adjustment. Thei'e :i5
reason to believe that an arrangement between Dertmt‘le--
and the maritime Powers of Europe on the subject will Oa
south concluded, and that the pending negotiations with
the Uniteo, States may then be resumed and terminated in
a satisfactory manner.

With Spain no new difficulties have arisen, nor has much
progrePA.b•cen made in the adjustment of pending ones.
N(v,•oti atiuns entered into for the purpose of relieving
our C. minercial intercourse with the Island of Cuba of
some of its burdens, and providing for the more speedy
settl meat of local disputes growing out of that intercourse,
have t not yet been attended with any results.

MmAmßeni
.commencement
of the
LAW.botb is Gon afterov the colate war in Europe
n mr, ail. ernment
submitted to the consideration of all
.20m.ine nations two principles for the security of neutral
Jaerce ; one that the neutral flag should cover enemies'
g°cH-la, except articles contraband of war; and the other,
that neutral
property
(~s, on board merchant vessels of belli-
,, tents should be exempt from condemnation, with the
' eY.reption of contraband articles.
These were not presented as new rules of international
law, having been generally claimed by neutrals, though
not always admitted by belligerents. One of the parties
to the war—Russia—as well as several neutral Powers,
promptly acceded to these propositions ; and the two other
principal belligerents—Great Britain and France—having
1.,' consented to observe them for the present occasion, a fa-

ieoonpepoonitauinniitnyg steheem
te 1
°top
principles
presentedcip l
ifcohr otbhtai i4l-ri-T..—,
dav:gcuelarnareabrtial recognition of them both in Europe and AmeiibiLd l il k").1.-.APER
Bnt Great Britain and France, in common with in
the States of Europe, while forbearing to reject, . •
affirmatively act upon the overttirea of the United
While the question was in this position, the rep
fives of Russia, France, Great Britain, Austria, ---. ..
-.:-..-r,r rei
~,.
--•-t, t - . 14,
a,,,,.....- n
' ' ,7 .4
',.,, i.54i
ik- :5. -
'',-••• -- -7,
Sardinia, and Turkey, assembled at Paris, took i iot. .;',."40-. Ve.
sideration the subject of maritime rights, and put rt.kla Wit_. ~,,4iz' '
vernment had submitted, nearly two years before, to
consideration of the maritime Powers, and adding therete—Z 11 S •
the following propositions :—" Privateering is remains
a b ol islied
effective—that, abolished,"
had to
already
"Blockades, in imnaoirndtaerint:d by be binding,
must
besuffi-
cient
o f
which
h ioh really and4
preventoepo proposedaccess tothebycotahset oufotihteedensetmatyes,"
and to the declaration thus composed of four points, two
' this Government has been invited to accede by all the
Powers represented at Paris, except Great Britain and
Turkey.
To the last of the two additional propositions—that in
relation to the blockades —there can certainly be no objec-
tion. It is merely the definition of what shall constitute
the effectual investment of a blockaded place, a definition
for which this Government. has always contended, claim-
ing indemnity for losses where a practical violation of the
rule thus defined has been injurious to our commerce, As
to the remaining article of the declaration of the Confer-
ence of Paris, " That privateering is and remains abo-
lished," I certainly cannot ascribe to the Powers repre-
sented in the Conference of Paris any but liberal and phi-
lanthropic views in the attempt to change the unquestion-
able rule of maritime law in regard to ye ivateering.
Their proposition was, doubtless, intended to imply ap-
proval of the principle that private property upon the
ocean, although it might belong to the citizens of a belli-
gerent State, should be exempted from capture • and had
that proposition been II 0 framed as to give full effect to the
principle, it would have received my ready assent on behalf
of the United States. But the trie,stira proposed is inade-
quate to that purpose. It is true that if adopted private
property upon the ocean would be withdrawn from one
mode of plunder, but left exposed meanwhile to another
mode, which could bo used with increased effectiveness.
The aggressive capacity of great naval Powers would be
thereby augmented, while the defensive ability of others
would be reduced.
Though the surrender of the means of prosecuting hosti-
lities by privateers, employing
as proposed by the Confer-
once of Paris, it is mutual in terms, yet in practical effect
it would be the relinquis • • hment of a right of little value to
one class of States, but of essential importance to another
and far larger class. It ought not to have been anticipated
that a measure so inadequate to the accomplishment of the
proposed object, and so unequal in its operation,. would re.
Calve the assent of all maritime powers...l4l'l"e PmPlara
would be still left to the depredations of tlwpublic UM
cruisers.

I have expressed a readiness on the part of this Govern-
ment to accede to all the principles contained in the decla-
ration of the Conference at Paris, provided that relating to
the abandonment of privateering can be so amended as to
effect the object for which, as is presumed, it was intended,
the immunity of private property on the ocean from hos-
tile capture.
To effect this object, it is proposed to add to the declara-
tion that "privateering is and remains abolished," the
following amendment :—" And that the private property of
subjects and citizens of a belligerent on the high seas shall
be exempt from seizure by the public armed vessels of the
other belligerent, except it be contraband." This amend-
ment has been presented not only to the Powers which have
asked our assent to the declaration to abolish privateering,
but to all other maritime States. Thus far it has not been
rejected by any, and is favourably entertained by all which
have made any communication in reply.
Several of the Governments, regarding with favour the
proposition of the United States, have delayed definite
action upon it only for the purpose of consulting others,
parties to the Conference of Paris, I have the satisfaction
of stating, however, that the Emperor of Russia has en-
tirely and explicitly approved of that modification, and
will c-.-operate in endeavouring to obtain the assent of
other Powers, and that assurances of a similar purport have
been received in relation to the disposition of the Emperor
of the French.

The present aspect of this important subject allows us to
cherish the hope that a principle so humane in its character,
so just and equal in its operations, so essential to the
prosperity of commercial nations, and so consonant to the
sentiments of this enlightened period of the world, will
command the approbation of all maritime Pow era, and thus
be incorporated into the code of international law.
My views on the subject are more fully set forth in the
reply of the Secretary of State, a copy of which is herewith
transmitted, to the communications on the subject made to
to this Government, especially to the communication of
France.

_
MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
The Government of the United States has at all times
rag ,rded with friendly interest the other States of America,
formerly, like this country, European colonies, and now
independent members of the great family of nations. But
the unsettled condition of some of them, districted by fre-
quent revolutions, and thus incapable of regular and firm
internal administration, has tended to embarrass occasion-
ally our public intercourse, by reason of wrongs which •ur
citizens suffer at their hands, and which they are slow to
redress.

Unfortunately it is against the Republic of Mexico, with
which it is our special desire to maintain a good under-
standing', that such complaints are most numerous; and
although earnestly urged upon, its attention, they have not
as yet received the consideration which this Government
had a right to expect. While reparation for past injuries
has been withheld others have been added. The political
condition of that country, however, has been such as to de-
mand forbearance on the part of the United States. I
shall continue my efforts to procure for the wrongs of our
citizens that redress which is indispensable to the conti-
nued friendly association of the two republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs of Nicaragua in the
early part of the present year rendered it important that
this Government should have diplomatic relations with
that State. Through its territory has been opened one of
the principal thoroughfares across the isthmus connecting
North and South America, on whicha vast amount of pro-
perty was transported, and to which our citizens resorted
in great numbers in passing between the Atlantic and Paci-
fic coasts of the United States. The protection of both re-
quired that the existing power in that State should be re-
garded as a responsible Government, and its Minister was
accordingly received. But he remained here only a short
time.

Soon thereafter the political affairs of Niwent unfavourable change, and became involved
Diplomatic representatives
from much
u under-
went
uncertainty and confusion.
from two contending parties have been recently no:l'W
this Government; but, with the imperfect information
possessed, it was not possible to decide which was the
Government de facto ; and awaiting further developments
I have refused to receive either.
Questions of the most serious nature are pending be-
tween the United States and the Republic of New Gra-
nada. The Government of that Republic undertook, a
year since, to impose tonnage on foreign vessels in her
ports, but the purpose was resisted by this Government,
as being contrary to existing treaty stipulation with the
United States, and to rights conferred by charter upon
the Panama Railroad Company, and was accordingly
relinquished at that time, it being admitted that our
vessels were entitled to be exempt from tonnage duty
in the free ports of Panama and Aspinwall. But the
purpose has been recently revived, on the part of New
Granada, by the enactment of a law to subject vessels
visiting her ports to the tonnage duty of 40 cents per
ton ; and, although the law has not been put in force,
yet the right to enforce it is still asserted, and may at any
time be acted on by the Government of that Republic.
The Congress of New Granada has also enacted a law,
during the last year, which levies a tax of more then IS on
every pound of mail matter transported across the isthmus.
The sum thus required to ke paid on the mails of the
United States would be neatly $2,000,000 annually, in
addition to the large sum payable bycontract to the Panama
Railroad Company. If the only objection to this exaction
were the exorbitancy of its amount, it could not be sub.
mitted to by the United States
The imposition of it, however, would obviously contra-
vene our treaty with New Granada, and infringe the con-
tract of the Republic with the Panama Railroad Company,
sco.te.xtra.
The law for providing for this tax was, by its terms, to
take effect on the let Sept. last, but the local authorities
on the isthmus have been induced to suspend its execution,
and to await further instructions on the subject from the
Gevernment of the Republic. lam not yet advised of the
ordinary in its character, and so clearly contorvfaar
Panama
thea tmo
ivat
Irßuzeiesataitesid:
American
measure
shouldr o a speculations
dc eb rp and:ly te the
persisted
in,
0 it
will contract rightsb e t
he ofd duty
thye
occasion exists to invite your
dete;roination ofctohmapt,G,seodvermn,m)steinyt.oflf
renade. On the 1
graver import in our relations
the inhabitants of Panama
aSlwattistlattehtbreaetstgri tcrocone
riotous
Republicrot eeousxsiacsetseni assemblaged h. t
i;
ve i
3oegxfitye bcNftuhtessitwoti
lonlGf.
committed a violent and outrageous attack on
mises of the railroad, company, and the passengerssattnhhdeAo
ptphrr
oei
r.l
tee, s involving, the
and the destruction of a large amopuilin
citizenspersons inof otrhenuealarittnecle ssatam
theiug rtoestuhltesrhaoilwrosedcompany
at tgehet e
ofproperty deathmany of
others,he several
lo belong-
ing s
for what occurred attaches
that the perpetrators of the I caused full investigation '
families of citizens of satisfactorily that complete responsibility
hotefo
wrongst
th haet
Government event to b e made, aodf e ,s. andew
Granada. I have therefore demanded of that Government
in question should
be punished ; that provision should be made for the
over it, requires States
serioutecljoonstdeedrati
with full indemnit for the property pillaged or destroyed.
The prese t y. _
on. who were killed,
far as
regards the security of persons and property passing
• • Recent incidents
n condition of the Isthmus of Panama, in so
tend to show that the local authorities cannot be relied on
to maintain the public peace of Panama, and there is just
in
ground for apprehension that a portion of the inhabitants
are meditat further outrages, without adequate mea-
sures for the security and protection of persons or propert
having been taken either by the State of Panama or by
the general Government of New Granada.
treat
several millions of dollars,
citizens of the United
Under the guarantees of
constructed a railroad across the isthmus, and i't has be-
come the main route between our Atlantic
and Pacific pos-
States have, by the outlay
of
sessions, over which multitudes of our citizens and a vast
amount of property are constantly passing—to the security
and protection of all which, and the continuance of the
public advantages involved, it is impossible for tt.e Govern•
ment of the United States to be indifferent.
I have deemed the danger of the recurrence of scenes of
lawless violence in this quarter so imminent as to make it
my duty to station a part of our naval force in the bar.
hours of Panama and Aspinwall, in order to ptoteet the
persons and property of the citizens of the United States
Granada, until,by
in those ports, and to insure to them safe passage acrosa
the isthmus. And it would, in my judgment, be unwise
o,
jewsiptohndtraanweotuhse
actionnav al
of
fo.r force
the now
Republic int ll those psoertws
otherwise, some adequate arrangement shall have bee;
ercoati of inter-
le for the protection and security of a
bile negotiations have been instituted, by means
them,
sited
communication so important at this time, not to
the ux sited States only, but to all other maritime States
fti;v. Europe and America.
co:9mission, to obtain from New Gianada full
indemnity fe'r injuries sustained by our citizens on the
isthmus, and bat isfactory security for the general interests
of the United Sta tea. obfollitshesoapeciat
In aodressiug to you my last annual message, the occa-
sion seems to me at t appropriateexpress nay congra•
tulations in view of the peace, greatness, and felicity which
the United States n, ew possess and enjoy.
To point you to the • state of the various departments of
the Government, and . of all the great branches of the public
service, civil and milit: kry, in order to speak of the intelli-
gence and the integrity which pervades the whole, would be
to indicate but impede etly the administrative condition of
the country and th.: beneficial effects of that on the general
welfare. Nor would it suffice to say that the nation was
actually at peace at home and abroad ; that its industrial
interests are prosperous ; . that t
louhe canvaes
its husbandman of its mariners
whitens every sea, and i ;he pgh of is