Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-27


character, has recently been transmitted TO the
Department of State. II has not been considered
the policy of our laws to sub ject an American cit
izen, who, in a foreign country, purchases ves-
sci built in the United States, to the inconven-
fence of sending her home for new register, be-
fore permitting her to proceed OH a voyage. Any
alteration of the laws, which might have ten
dency to impede the free transfer of property in
vessels, between citizens, or the free naviga-
of those vessels between different parts of the
world, when employed in lawful commerce,
should be well and cautiously considered but
trust that your wisdom will devise a method by
which our general 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 indi-
Gated may 10 prevented.
Having ascertaned that there is no prospect OF
the reunion of the five States of Central America
which formerly composed the republic of that
name, we have separately negotiated with some
of them treaties of amity and commerce, which
will be laid before the Senate.
A contract having been concluded with the
State OF Nicaragua, by company composed of
American citizens, for the purpose of constructing
ship canal, through the territory of that State,
to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, | have
directed the negotiation Of treaty with Nicara
qua pedging both governments to protect those
who shall engage in and perfect the work. All
other nations are invited by the State of Nicara-
qua 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 to
monopolize its advantages. All States entering
into such treaty, will enjoy the right of pas
sage through the canal on payment of the same
tolls.
The work, if constructed under these ruaran.
tee, will become bond Of peace, instead of n
subject of contention and strife. between the m
tions of the earth. Should the great mara.ime
States OF Europe consent to this arrangement.
tand we have no reason 10 suppose that propo-
sition so fair and honorable will be opposed bv
any)he energies Of their people and ours will co.
operate in promoting The success of the enter.
Prise. do not recommend any appropriation
fom the National treasury for this purpose. nor
DO believe such an appropriation is necessary
Private enterprise, II properly protected. will
complete the work should it prove to he feasible
The parties who have procured the charter from
Nicaragua, Tor It's construction, desire no assis-
ance from this government beyond its proiec
ton; and they profess, that hnvlng examined the
proposed line OF communication. they will be
ready to commerce tie Undertaking whenever
that protection shall be extended TO them
Should there appear to be reason, on examin-
ing the whole evidence, to entertain serious
doubt of the praccability of constructing such
canal TINT dou could be speedily solved bv
an actual exploration Of the route.
Should such work be constructed. undert the
common protection IF all nations for equal bene-
hts TO all, 1t would be neither lust nor expedicnt
That any great maritime state should command
communication. The Territory that the ca
nal may pass through ought TO be freed from
the claims of any foreign power. No such
power should occupy a position that would cna.
bic 1t hereafter to exercise so controlling an in
fuence over he commerce of the world or TO
obstruct highway which onght to be dedicated
to The common USES Of lnank nd.
The routes across the ISthnus at Tehaun,epnc
and Panama are also worthy Of our serious con.
sderatlon. They did tot fail 10 engage the al
tehtlon OF my predecessor. The negotator of
the treaty of Guadalupe Illalgo was instructed
TO offer very large sum of money for the right
of transit across the lshmus of TIC luantepec-
The Mexican government did not accede to the
proposition for the purchase of the right of wav
probably because it had already contracted with
private individuals for the construction of n mas.
sage from the Guasqualco river to 1'ehnantepec.
rot shall renew any proposition to purchase, for
money. right which ought 10 be equally secur.
ed to ali nations, on payment of reasonable toll
TO the owners of the improvement, who would,
doubtless, be well contcnted with that compeusa
ton and the guarantees of the maritime States
of the world, in separate treaties negotiated with
Mexico, binding her ana mem to- protect those
who should CONSTRUCT Inc ""iK such gnaran-
tees would do more to secure the completion Of
the communication through the territory OF Mex
leo, than any "'ner reason PIE consideration that
could be offered; ana US Mexico herself would
he the greatest gamer by the opening OF TINS
communication between Inc Oulf and the Pacii,
ic ocean 1t IS presumed that she would not hest
tate to yield her aid. IN the manner proposed, to
accomplish an Improvement so important to her
own best lnteres s.
We have reason to hope that the proposed
RAILROAD across the isthmus at Panama will be
successfully constructed under thu protection of
the late treaty with New Grenad, ratified and
exchanged by my predecessor on the 10Th day
Of June, 1913, which guarantees the perfect neu
trali,y of the Isthmus, and the rights Of sover
ei.nty and property of New Granada over that
territory, with view that the free transit from
ocean to ocean may not be Interrupted or en-
barrassed' during the existence OF the treaty.
1t is or policy 20 encourage every practicable
route across the lslhmus, which connects North
and South America, either by railroad or canal,
which the energy and enterprise Of our citizens
may induce them to complete; and | consider it
obligatory upon me to adopt that policy, espe-
caly in consequence Of the absolute necessity
Of facilitating Intercourse with our possessions
on the Pacific.