Democratic banner., 1849-12-31

resident or trading there, have been violated
The restoration Of order will afford the Vens'
zuslan Governmsos % opportunity to examine
and redress their grievances, and others Of Ion
lger standing, which Cur representative al Carsc'
cas- has hitherto Intellectually urged upon the at
l~tention of the Government. The extension oil
the coast Of the United States on the Pacific
and the unexamplsd rapidity with which the in
habitanls Of California, especially, are increas'
ing 10 numbers, have impartial new conse'
qusnce to our relations with other countries
whose territory borders upon the OCEAN. It i.
probable, that the intercourse between those
%countr, land our possession in that quarter, par.
t~icularIy with the Republic Of Chill, will be-
come extensive and mutually advantageous, in
proportion as California and Oregon shall in
crease in population and wealth. 1t Is drsira
lbls, therefore, that the Government should dc
Everything in it, power TO foster and strengthen
ito relations with those States, and that the spir.
il of amily should be mutual aud cordial.
recommend the observance Of the same
course towards ell other American States. The
United States stands a. the great American
power 70 which, a. their natural ally and friend
they will always be disposed 10 look for media
tiun and assistance 10 the event Of collision be-
tween them and ssy European nation. As such,
We may often BADLY mediate in their behalf
Without entsngliag ourselves in fureign wars or
unnecessary controversies, whenever the faith
Of any Of our treaties with any Of them shall
require our interference, We must necessarily
interfere.
A convention has been negotiated with Bra.
iii, providing for The satisfaction Of American
lataInna an that fNa0ARnnAnf AnA - ursn h. .nk
mitted to the Senate. Since the last session Of
Congress We have received en- Envoy Es.raor-
binary and Minister Plenoputentisry from that
Empire, and our relations with it are founded
upon the most an.icable understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited 10 an a.
mendment Of our existing laws relating to the
African slave trade with q viev 10 the ~effectusl
suppression Of that barbsrous traffic. i, 10 not
TO be denied, that this trade 10 still in part CAT.
|ried on By means of vessels built in the United
States, and owned or nsvigaied by some Of our
citizens. The correspondence between the De-
pariment Of State and the Minister and Consu!
Of the United States at Rio Janeiro, which ha.
from time to time been laid before Congress, rep
|resents that, - . customary device to evsde the
penalties Of our laws BY means Of sea letters,
vessels sold in Brasil when provided with such
papers by the Consul, instead OF returning to the
United States for . new register, proceed at
|oncs to the cost Of Africa for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning caPgoes Of slaves. Much additional in.
formation Of the same character has recently
been transmitted 70 the Department of S;ats.-
.Ithss not been considered the policy Of our avs
to subject an American citizen who, in Q foreign
city, purchases . vessel built In the United
States, to tho Inconvenience Of sending her home
for . new register before permitting her TO pro.
coed on q voyage. Any alteration Of the laws
which might have . iendsney 10 impede the free
transfer Of property in vessels between our
citizens, or the free navigation of thsir vessels,
between different ports Of the world, when EN-
.ployed in lawful commerce, should be well and
cautiously considered; but I trust that your wis.
dom will devise q method by which our gerer-
al policy, in this respect, may be preserved, and
at the same time the abuse Of our flag by means
of Sea letters, in The manner indicated, may be
prevented.
Having ascertained that there 10 no prospect
of carrying on negotiations with the five States
Of Central Americs, which formerly composed
the Republic Of th.t name, we have Separated
negotiated with some of them treaties Of amiiy
sid commerce., which will be laid before the
Senate.
A contract having been concluded with the
State Of Nicaragua, BY 9 company composed Of
American citizens, for the purpose Of construc.
ting q ship canal through the territory Of the
State,to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
i have directed the hgotistion Of . treaty with
Nicaragua, pledging both Governments to pro-
tect those who shall engage in and perfect the
work. AL other nations are invited by the
State Of Nicaragua 10 enter into the same treaty
stipulations with her, and the benefit to be de-
rived by each from such all arrangement, will
be the protection of this great inter oceanic COM
muLicaiiOn against any power which might seek
TO obstruct il, or ~monopolize its advanagss.-
All States entering into such . treaty will en-
joy the right Of passage through the canal on
payment Of the same tolls.
The work of construction under these guar
antees will become q bond Of peace, instead o.
q subject Of contention and strife between the
nations Of the earth. Should the maritime States
of Europe consent to this arrangement, and We
have no reason 70 suppose that . proposition SO
fair and honorable will be opposed by any, the
energies Of their people and ours will cooper
ate in promoting the success ofthe enterprise.
i do not recommend any appropriation from the
National Treasury for this purpose, nor do i
believe that such an appropriation is necessary.