Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-28

OF our flag, by means of sea letters, in
the manner indicaied, may be prevented.
Having ascertained that there is no pros
|pect of the union of the Eve States of
Central Amer which formerly CON-
posed 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 Ame rican 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 trea-
ty with Nicaragua, pledging both govern
ments to protect those who shall engage
in, and perfect the work. ALI other ma
tons are invited by the State Of Nicar-
aqua to enter into the same treaty stipu.
lations with her-ihe benefit to be divi-
ded between each. Such arrangement
will be the protection of the inter-ocean-
le communication against any power
which might seek to obsiruct it, or mon.
olize its advantages. All States entering
into such treaty will enjoy the right of
the passage through the canal, on pay
ment of the same tolls. THE work of
construction, under their guarantees, will
become bond OF peace instead of
subject of strife between the nations of
the earth. Should the marantime STATES
of Europe consent to this arrangement,
and we have no reason to suppose that a
proposition SO fair and honorable will he
opposed by any, the energies of their
people and ours will cooperate in pro-
noting the sucsess of the enterprise. l
do not recommend any appropriation
from the national treasury for this pur-
pose, nor do | believe that such an APP
preparation is necessary Pri,a'e enter
prise, if properly protected, will com
plete the work, should it prove TO be
feasible. The parties who have p-ocu-
red the charter from Nicaragua fer It's
construction, desire no assistance from
this government, beyond its protection,
and they profess that, having examined
the proposed line of communication, they
will be ready to commence the underta-
king whenever that protection will be
extended to them. Should there be rea-
son, ON examining the whole evidence,
TO entertain serious doubt of the prac-
ticability of constructing such canal, that
doubt could speedily be solved by ac-
tual exploration of the route. Should
such work be constructed under the
common protection of all nations for e.
quail benefits to all, it would be neither
just nor expedient that any government
or maratme State should command the
communication. The territory through
which lhecanal may be opened, ough, to
be freed from the claim of any foreign
power. No such power should occupy
a position that would enable it hereafter
to exercise so controlling an influence o.
yer the commerce of the world, or to OBJ
struct a highway which ought to be died.
icated 10 the common uses of mankind.
The routes across the Isthmus of Te-
hauntepec and Panama are also worthy
of serious consideration. They did not
fail to engage the attention of my pred
ecessor. The negotiation Of the treaty
of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo was instructed
to offer very large sum of money for
the right of transit across the lsthmus
of Tehauntepec. The Mexican govern
men, did not acc EIDE TO the proposition
for the purchase of the right of way,
probably because it had already contrac-
ted with private individuals for the con-
struclion of the pas sage from Huascuala
river TO rehauntepec. | shall not renew
any proposition TO purchase for m oney
right which ought to be equally secured
to all nations, on payment of reasonable
tolls to the owners of the improvement,
who would doubtless be well contented
with that compensation. and the guaran-
ties of the maratime states of the world
in separate treaties negotiated with Mex
leo binding her and them to protect those
who should construct the work. Such
guarantees would do more to secure the
completion of the communication through
the territory of Mexico, than any other
reasonable consideration that could be
offered, and as she herself would be the
creates gamer by opening up this COM
munication between the Gulf and Pac-
lfc Ocean, it is presumed she would not
hesitate to yield her aid to accomplish an
improvement SO important to her own
best interests.
We have reason to hope that the prop
osed Railroad across the Isthmus of Pan
anna will be successfully con 'tructed, un-
der the protection of the late treaty with
New Greneda, ratified and exchanged by
my predecessor, on the 10th day OF
June lS4S, which guarantees the perfect
neutrality Of the Isthmus and the rights
Of sovreigneiy and property of New
Grenada over that territory, with view
that free transit from ocean to ocean
may not be interrupted during the exist
ence of the treaty. II is our policy to
encourage every practicable route across
the Isthmus which connect North and
South America, either by Railroad or
Canal, which the energy or enterprise of
our citizens may induce them to CON-
plete; and | consider it obligatory upon
M IN adoDt that no.,cv osnoei.liy in CON.