Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-12-31

Guilty Of obtaining supplies, except at near
the extremes of the line, renders it also in-
dispensible that a-iberal provision should
b< made to meet the necessary charges du-
ring the fiscal year ending on the Both
June, 1851. accordingly recommend this
subject to your attention.
In the adjustment Of the claims Of Amer
lean citizens in Mexico, provided for hy the
late treaty, the employment Of Counsel on
the part of the Government, may become
important for the purpose Of assisting the
Commissioners in protecting the interests Of
the United States. Ireccommend this sub
ject to the early and favorable considera-
ton of Congress.
Complaints have been made in regard to
the ineficiency Of the means provid-
ed by the government of New Grenada for
transporting the United States mail across
the Isthmus of Panama, pursuant to our
postal Convention with that Republic, of
| the 9th March, 1874.
! Our Charge d'Affsirs of Bogota has been
directed to make such representions to the
Government Of New Grenada as will, it is
hoped, lead to prompt removal of this
cause Of complaint.
The sanguinary civil war with which the
Republic Of Venezuela has for some time
past been ravaged, has been brought to a
close. In its progress, the rights Of some of
our citizens resident, or trading there, are
violated. The restoration of order will af-
ford the Venezuelan Government an oppor-
tunity to examine and redress these griev-
ances, and others OF longer standing which
our representative at Caracas have hther-
TO Intellectually urged upon the attention Of
that government.
The extension Of the coast Of the United
States on the Pacific and the unexampled
rapidity with which the inhabitants of Cal
ifornia especially are increasing in num-
ber, have impaired new consequence to our
relations with the other countries which bor-
der upon that ocean. 1t is probable that
! the intercourse between these countries and
our possessions in that quarter particularly
with the Republic Of Chill, will become ex-
tensive and mutually advantageous in pro-
portion as California and Oregon shall in
crease in population and wealth. 1t is de-
] sirable, therefore, that this government
should do everything in its power to foster
and strengthen its relations with the states,
and that the spirit of amity between us
should be mutual and cordial. recon-
mend the observance Of the same course to-
wards all other American states. The
United States stand as the great American
power to which, as their natural ally and
friend. and they will always be disposed
first to look for mediation and assistance in
the event of any collision between them and
| any European nation. As such we may
oflen kindly mediate in their behalf without
entangling ourselves in foreign wars. or un-
necessary controversies. Whenever the
faith Of our Treaties with any Of them shall
require our interference, we must necessar-
lily interposc.
A convention has been negotiated with
Brazilproviding for the satisfaction of Amer
ican claims on that government and it will be
submitted 10 the Senate. Since the last
session ofCongress we have received an En-
voy Extraordinary and Minester Plenipo,en-
tiary from that Empire and our relations
with it are founded upon the most AMIGA
BILE understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an
amednent of our existing laws, relating to
the African Slave trade, with view to the
suppression OF that barbarous traffic. 1t
is not to be Denied that this trade is still in
part carried on by means of vesssls. built
in the United States, and owned and navi-
gated by some of our citizens. TIE cores
pondence between the Department of Stale,
and the Minester and Consul of the United
States at Rio de Janeiro, which has from
time to time been laid before Congress, rep
resents that it is customary device to evade
the penalt tes Of the laws by means of sea
letters. Vessels sold in BRAZIL when pro-
vided with such papers by the Consul in-
stead Of returning to tho United States for
new Register, proceed at once to the const
of Africa, for the purpose Of obtaining car
goes Of slaves. Much additional inform atom
Of the same character has recently .been
transmitted to the Department Of State.
1t has not been considered the policy Of our
laws to subject 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 voyage Any
alteration which might have tendency to
lupeuetHe Tree tTdnSteFoi properly IN Vessels,
between our citizens, or the free navigation
of those vessels between different parts of
the world, when employed in lawful COM
merce, should be well and cautiously con-
sidered; but l trust your wisdom will de-
wise method by wich 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 indica-
ted. ay be prevented.
Having ascsrtained that there is no pros
pect of a reunion Of the five States Of Gem
trail America which formerly composed the
Republic Of that name, we have separately
negotiated with sone of them, Treaties Of
amity aud commerce, which will be laid be-
fore the Senate,
A contract having been concluded with
the state Of Nicaragua by the company COM
posed Of America citizens for the purpose of
constructing ship canal through the ter
ritory of that state to connect the Allan
and Pacific oceans, have directed the ne
gotiation of Treaty with Nicaragua,
pledging both governments to protect those
who shall engage in and perfect the work
| All o.her nations are invited by the state Of
Nicaragua, to enter into the same treaty stip-
ulations with her, and the benefits to be de-
| rived by each from such an arrangement,