The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-12-29
Having ascertained that there is no

ed the republic of that name, we have re-
peatedly negotiated with some of them
treaties of ami:y and commerce, which
/ will be laid before the Senate. A con-
tract having been concluded with the
state of Nicaragua by company Of A
merican citizens, for the purpose of con-
structing a ship canal through the terri
tory of that state, to connect the Atlantic
and Paeitic oceans. l have directed the
negotiation of a treaty with Nicaragua, a,
pledging both governments 10 protect
those who shall engage in it and perfect
the work. All other nations are invited
by the state of Nicaragua to enter into the
same treaty stipulations with her, and the
benefit to be derived by each from such
an arrangement will be the protection of
this great inter-oceanic communication
against any power which might seek to
obstruct it or monopolize its advantages.
All states entering into such treaty will
enjoy the right of passing through the
canal on the payment of the same tolls.
The work, if constructed under these
guarantees, will become bond Of peace,
instead of subject of contention and
strife between the nations of the earth.-
Should the great maratime states of Eu
rope consent to this arrangement, and
we have no reason to suppose that a prop
osition SO fair and honorable will be op-
posed by any the energy Of their people
and ours will cooperate in promoting the
success of the enterprise. l do not rec
ommend any appropriation from the Ma
tional Treasury for this purpose, nor do l
believe that such an appropriation is nee
essary. Private enterprise, if properly
protected, will complete the work, should
it prove 20 be feasible. The parties who
have procured the charter from Nicara-
qua for its construction, desire no assist
ance from this government, beyond its
protection, and they profess that having
examined the proposed line Of communi-
cation, they will be ready to commence
the undertaking whenever that protection
shall be extended to them. Should there
appear to be reason, on examining the
whole evidence, to entertain serious
doubt of the practicabiity of constructing
such a canal, that doubt could be speed
! lily solved by an actual exploration Of the
route. Should such work be construct
ed under the common protection of all ma
tions. for equal benefits to all, it would be
neither just nor expedient that any great
maratime state should command the com
munication. The territory through which
the canal must be opened, ought te be
freed from the claims of any foreign power
No such power should occupy the position
that would enable it thereafter to exer-
else controlling influence over the COM
merce of the world, or to obstruct high
way which ought to be dedicated to the
interests of mankind.
The routes across the Isthmus of Te-
huantepec and Panama are also worthy
of our serious consideration. They did
not fail to engage the attention of my pre-
decessor The negotiator Of the treaty OF
Gaudaloupe Hidalgo was instructed to-
offer very large sum of money for this
right of transit across the isthmus of Te-
huantepec. The Mexican government did
not acceed to the proposition for the pur
chase of the right of way, probably be-
causeit had already contracted with pri-
vate individuals for the construction Of a
passage from the Guasa Aculco river to
the Tehuantepec. shall not renew any
proposition to purchase for money right
which ought to be equally secured to ali
nations on the payment Of Il reasonable
toll to the owners of the improvement,
who would doubtless, be well contented
with the compensation, and the guaran-
tees of the maratime states of the world, !
in separate treaties negotiated with Mex
leo binding her and them te protect those
who should construct the work.
Such guarantees would do more to Sc
cure the completion of the communica-
ton thro' the territory Of Mexico than
any other reasonable consideration that
could be offered, and as Mexico herself
would be the greatest gamer by the
opening of this communication between
the Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is pre-
sumed that she would not hesitate to
to yield her aid in the manner proposed,
to accomplish an improvement soimport-
ant to her own best interests
We have reason to hope that the pro-
posed railroad across the isthmus of Pana-
ma will be successfully constructed under
the protection of the late treaty with New
Greneda, ratified and exchanged by my
predecessor on the 3Oth day of Jnne,
1888, which guarantees the perfect neu-
tralliy of the isthmns, and the rights of
New Grenada over that territory, with
Il view that the free transit from ocean
to ocean may not be interrupted or en-
barrassed during the existence of the
treaty. 1t is our policy to encourage
every practicable route across the 18TH
mus which connects North and South A
merica, either by railroads or canals, which
the energy and enterprise of our citizens
may induce them to complete, and con-
slider it obligatory upon me to adopt that
policy.
To the territory of the United States
on the success of our preserving and be-
nevolent citizens who have repaired to
that remote quarter in christianizing the
nations and inducing them to adopt a sys
TEN of government and laws suitable to
their capacities and wants, and the use
oJo h., o,1r r,,,,oarO,,C yvbo1a Sl,irc ofI