The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-18 00:00:00

THE NICARAGUA QUESTION.

The company of citizens of the United States who
have acquired from the State of Nicaragua the privilege
of constructing a ship canal between the two oceans,
though the territory of, that state, have made progress
in their preliminary arrangements. The treaty between
the United States and Great Britain of the 19th of April
I •st above referred to being now in operation, it is to be
hoped that the guarantees which it offers will be suffi-
cient to secure the completion of the work with all prac-
ticable expedition. It is obvious that this result would
be indefinitely postponed if any other than peaceful mea-
sures, fn. the purpose of harmonising conflicting claims
to territory in that quarter should be adopted. It will
consequently be my endeavour to cause any further ne-
gotiations on the part of this Government, which may be
requisite for this purpose, to be so conducted as to bring
them to a speedy and successful close.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred arising from
distance and the difficulty of intercourse between this
Government and that of Nicaragua, but as intelligence
has just been received of the appointment of an envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of that Go-
vernment to reside at Washington, whose arrival may
soon be expected, it is hoped that no further impedi-
ments will be experienced in the prompt transaction of
business between the two Governments.
RAILROAD ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF
TEHUANTEPEC.

Citizens of the United States have undertaken the
connexion of the two oceans by means of a railroad
across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, under grants cf the
Mexican Government to a citizen of that republic. It
is understood that a thorough survey of the course of
the communication is in preparation, and there is every

reason to expect that it will be prosecuted with charac-
teristic energy, especially when that Government shall
' have consented to such stipulations with the Govern-
ment of the United States as may be necessary to impat t
a feeling of security to those who may embark their pro-
perty in the enterprise. Negotiations are pending for
the accomplishment of that object, and a hope is con-
fidently entertained that when the Government of
Mexico shall becomo duly sensible of the advantages
which that country cannot fail to derive from the work,
and learn that the Government of the United States de-
sires that the right of sovereignty of Mexico in the
Isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipulations re-
ferred to will be agreed to with alacrity.
By the last ad vices from Mexico it would appear, how-
ever, that that Government entertains strong objections
to some of the stipulations which the parties concerned
in the project of the railroad deem necessary for their
protection and security. Further considerrtion, it is
hoped, or some modification of terms, may yet reconcile
the differences existing between the two Governments in
this reT:ct.
Fresh instructions have recently been given to the
MiLister of the United States in Mexico, who is prose-
cuting the subject with promptitude and ability.
Although the negotiations with Portugal for the pay-
ment of claims of the citizens of the United States
against that Government have not yet resulted in a
formal treaty, yet a proposition made by the Govern-
ment of Portugal for the final adjustment and payment
of those claims has recently been accepted on the part of
the United States. It gives me pleasure to say that
Mr. Clay, to whom the negotiation on the part of the
United States has been entrusted, discharged the duties
of his appointment with ability and discretion, acting
always within the instructions of his Government.
It is expected that a regular convention will be imme-
diately negotiated for carrying the agreement between
the two Governments into effect.
CONVENTION WITH BRAZIL.

The Commissioner appointed under the Act of Con-
gres4 for carrying into etf,ct the convention with Brt,zil,
of Jan. 27, 1849, has entered upon the performances of
the duties imposed upon him by that Act. It is hoped
that these duties may be completed within the time which
it prescribes. The documents, however, which the Im-
perial Government, by the third article of the conven-

•
ti gin, stipulates to furnish to the Government of the
United States, have not yet been received. As it is
presumed that these documents will be essential fur the
correct disposition of the claimg, it may become necessary
for Congress to extend the period limited for the dura-
tion of the ec mmission. The sum stipulated by the fourth
article of the convention to be paid to this Government
has been received.

PORT DUES ON VESSELS OF CHILI, &c.
The collection in the ports of the United States of
discriminating duties upon the vessels of Chili and their
cargoes has been suspended, pursuant to the provisions
of the Act of Congress of the 24th of May, 1828. It is
to be hoped that this measure will impart a fresh im-
pulse to the commerce between the two countries, which
of late, and especially since our acquisition of California,
has, to the mutual advantage of the parties, become so
augmented.

Peruvian guano has become so desirable an article to
the agricultural interests of the United States, that it
is the duty of the Government to employ all the
means properly in its power for the purpose of caus-
ing that article to be imported into the country at a
reasonable price. Nothing will be omitted on my part
towards accomplishing this desirable end. I am per-
suaded that in removing any restraints on this
traffic, the Peruvian Government will promote its own
best interest, while it will afford a proof of a friendly
disposition towards this country, which will be duly
appreciated.