The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-16

I
clear and convincing statement Of the enlightened poll
.y in which il framed and submitted for ratification
For more than twenty years, has suffered
under the pressure of heavy discriminating duties in the
1orts OF New Granada from which British commerce has
1een exempt Attempts have been made by all our recent
adm nlstralions to remove these determinations Our
present charge Mr. Bhack has succeeded in Carrying
he wishes of his government in this respect into effect
This is a measure a high degree advantageous to our
trade with that country and II is proper in this connex-
on to saw that by the efforts of the present aimnistra
on our relations with all the South American republics
nave been placed upon a favorable and friendly
footing than they have been before since the period inn
nedlaely subsequent 10 recognition OF their indie
pendence.
But The most striking feature OF this treaty and which
vii mos, attract the public attention. IS the fact thar
secures to the right OF way from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific, across the isthmus OF Panama The condi-
tons upon which this important vantage is Sc
cured to and the reasons which induced
the President to il, oered-ahough the treaty
negotiated this point by Mr. Bldack in the alb
of specific distinctly forth in the
message
The conclusion and ratification OF this treaty are in
deed, matter of high and Just congratulaon While
in the history of foreign relations, and of our
national growth, the adjustment OF the Oregon con-
roversy, and the addition of California and New
Mexico territory, will stand monuments of
the ability and of the present administration
u,is acquisition of right Of passage for coumercs-
by Sp-ea1sal raroadaegoss the istanus forms an
other memorable Instance in which has set It's broad
mark of benefit upon the future commercial destiny of
the country.
To the Senate Of the Unitsd States
transmit the Senate, for their advice with regard to
is ratification, general treaty Of peace, amity naviga
on and commerce. between the United States of
and the republic Of New Granada, concluded Bogota
the 18th Decemher last, by Benjamin Biaek cha rye
Failures of United States part and by Manue,
Maria Maarino, Secretary OF State and Foreign Relations
on the part of that republic
will be perceived by the 18th article this treaty
New Granada proposes guaranty the government
citizens OF the United States the right passage the
shmus of Panama, the natural roads and
canal railroad which may be constructed unite the
seas GA condition that the United States shall make a
similar guaranty New Granada of the neutrality
portion of her territory, and her sovereignty the
The which caused the OF this important
stipulation ia treaty, viii be fully made known
by the accompanying documents From these, it
will appear thar charge daaires aeted in this partcu
lar upon his responsibility and without instructions
Under such circumstances, became daty decide
whether would submit the treaty the Senate and,
after consideration have adopt this
course.
The inn portance OF this concession to tie commercial
political the United easily be
overraed The by the isthmus of Panama is the
shortest between the two aud, from the niona-
ton herewith communicated, it would be the
practicable for railroad or canal
The advantages commerce. which would re-
suit from such q communication, only with the
coast of America, bat with Asia and the islands OF the
Pacifc obvious require any detail. Such
n passage would relieve from long and dangerous
gaton OF than nine thousand miles around Cape
and ~ w nos
sessions the northwest of America comparatively
easy and speedy.
The the isthnus the
attention o. the OF the United States since
the Independence the South American republics On
81 OF March, 1895, resolution passed the Senate ia
following words
s.Rsolved That the President OF the United States be
specy requested consider the expectancy OF
negotiations with the OF other nations, and
particularly with the governments OF Central America and
New Granada, for the purpose OF efectuay projecting,
by suitable treaty spuarions with tbem such individuals
or companies may undertake open communication
between the Atlantic and Pac ic oceans by the consruc-
ton of a ship-canal the i-thmus which connects
North and South America; and OF securing forever, by
such spuations the and equal right Of navigating
such all such nations, on the payment of such
reasonable tolls be established TO the
capitalists WHO may engage IN sucn undertaking and com
piete the work
No person can be deeply sensible than myself OF
the danger of eutangng alliances with any foreign nation
That should avoid such alliances has become maxim
If our policy consecrated by the most venerated names
which adon history, and sanctioned by the unaui
! nous Of the American people Our
has taught us the wisdom OF this maxim in the only in
sance-that of the guaranty France Of her American
ossessiousin which have entered into such
alliance IT. therefore, the yery peculiar circumstances of
the present greatly impair IL altogether de-
soy osce Of this oblection, then ought
into the may be its adj vantaxes The
general considerations which have induced transmit
the treaty the Senate, for their advice may be
up in the following particulars
lTh. treaty does propose guaranty territory to
foreign nation which the United States will have
common interest with that nation On the contrary,
are more deeply and directly interested in the subject of
this guaranty than New Granada herself, any other
country.
q The guaranty does extend the of
the sthmus of Panama, where shall acquire by the
treaty common ard coextensfve right OF passage with
herself
II will constitute alliance any political object
bur for a purely commercial purpose, which all the
r,ting nations OF the world have common interest.
in entering the mutual guarantees proposed by the
s5h OF the treaty, neither the government OF New
Grenada nor that of The United States has any
exclusive views The ultimate object presented by the
senate of the United Sares in their resolution which
have already referred all nations the free and
equal right of passage the isthmus If the United
states as the chief of the American nations, should first
become party his guaranty. it be doubtedin
deed il is confidently expected by the OF New
cranaein-that similar guarantees viii be given to that
public by Great Britain and France Should the PROPOSE
ION thus rendered be rejected may deprive the United
cure to them and the glory and benefits of being
-. ,iturst