The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-12-27

tantageous IN prop orion as California and
Oregon sha increase IN population and wealth
1t is desirable, therefore. that this Governme mt
shou Id do everything in its power TO foster and
strengthen its relations with the ST tates. and
that the spirit of amity between US should he
mutual and cordial recommend the observance
of the same course towards all other American
states. The United States stand as the Great
American power TO which, .as their natural ally
and friend, they Will always be disposed first to
look for mediation aud assistance in the event of
any collision between them land any Euro pcan
nation. As such We may often kindly mediate
in their behalf wi ithout cntangIing ourselves
in foreign wars, or unnecessary contr roversies.
Whenever the faith Of our Treaties with any
of them, shall require our inter ference,
must necessa rily interpose.
A convention has been negotiated with Bra
zil providing for the satisfaction of Ameri can
claims on that government, and it will be sub.
mitted TO the Senate. Since the last sess ion of
Congress, we have received Envoy E xtra-
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from
that Empire, and our relations with it
founded upon the most amicable understanding
Your attention earnestly invited to
amendment of our existing avs, relating to
the African Slave trade. with a view 10 the
suppression of that bar barous traffic. 1t is not
to be denied that this trade is still in part
ried on by means of vessels, built in the United
States, and owned and navi gated by some of
our citizens. The correspondence between
the Department of State. and the Minister and
Consul of The United States at Rio de Janero
which has from time TO time been laid before
Congress, represents that it is customa ry de-
vice to evade the penalties ct the laws by
means of letters. Vessels sold in Brazil,
when provided with su ch papers'by the Consul ,
instead of returning to the United States for a
new Register, proceed at once to the coast of
| Africa, for the purpose of obtaining cargoes
of slaves. Much additional information of the
same character has recently been transmitted
to the Dep artment of State. 1t has not
been considered the policy of our laws to sub
ject an American citizen who, in foreign
country, purchases vessel built in the United
States, to the Inconvenience of sending her
home for new Register before permitting her
to proceed on a voyage. Any alteration which
might have tendency 10 impede the free
| transfer of property i'll vessels, between
citizens, the free navigation of those vessels
between different parts of the world, when
employed in lawful commerce., should be well
and cautious sly considered; but trust your
wisdom will devise a method by which
| general policy in this respect may be preserved;
and al the same, time, the abuse of our flag. by
means of sea letters, in the manner indica ted,
may be prevented
/ Having ascertaiued tha; there is n o prospect
| of reunion of the five States of Central
! America which have formerly composed he
| Republic of that name, we have separately ne
gotiated with some Of them, Treaties of amity
and commerce, which will be laid before the
Senate.
4 A contract having been concluded with the
state of Nicaragua by the company composed
of American citizen for the purpose of con-
structIng a ship canal through the tie rrito-y o {
that state to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, L have directed the negotiation of
Treaty with ica-agua, pledgins both govern
MEETS to protect those who shall engage in
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
benefits to be derived by each from such an
arrang ement, will be the protection of this
great inter -oce anic communications, against
any power which might seek to obstruct it,
to monopoze its advantages. All states
term g into such Treaty, will enjoy the right
o. passage through the canal on payment of
the same tolls.
The work of construction under these guar.
rantees will become bond Of peace instead of
subject of contention and strife between ma
tions of the earth. Should the great maritime
states of Europe consent to this arrangement, =,
(and we have no reason 10 suppose that pro-
position so fair and honorable will be opposed
by any) the energies Of their people and urs
Will cooperate in promoting the success ofthe
enterprise. L do not recommend any appro-
priation from the National Treasury for this
f purpose, nor do 1 believe that such appropsia-
ton is necessary. Private enterprise, If pro-
r ;ected, will complete the work, should it prove
TO be ia vorable.
The parties who have procured the charter
from Nicaragua for its construction, desire no
J.. assistance from this government beyond its
protection; and they profess that having exam
, ined the proposed line of commnic Ltion, they
will be ready to commence the undertaking
whenever that pro tectoE shall be extended to
: them Should there appear 10 be reason on
examining the whole evidence. to entertain a
e serious doubt of the p racticablity of construct
r nr such a canal, that doubt could be speedily
= solved bv an actual exploration of the route.
It Should such work be constructed under
Il the common protection of all nations Tor equa
d benefits 10 ALL it would be neither just nor ex
= 2edieut that any great maritime State shoulo
e command the communication. The territory
l. through which the canal may be opened, ough
h to be free from the claims of any foreign pow
t er No such power should occupy position
, that would enable it hereafter TO exercis e 81
:, controlling an influence over the commerce O
,, the world, or to obstruct high way which
y ought to be dedicated to the common uses o
u mankind
IS The route across the Isthmus of fTehuantepe
and Panama also worthy of our serious con
n sideration. They did not fail to engage th
e attention of my predecessor. The negotiato
IT of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidelgo, was in
'r structed to offer very large sum of money 70
n the right of transit across the Isthmus of TIE
e huantepec. The Mexican Government did n o
A. accede to the proposition for the purchase o
the right of way, probably because it had al
le ready contracted with private individuals 70
" the construction of passage from tho Glas
e cuaco river to Tehuantepec. l shall not
r. new any proposition to purchase for money
D. right which ought to be equally secure to al
nations, payment of reasonable toll to tn {
l. owners Of the improvement, who would doubt
C less be we'll conented with hat compensation