The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25

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sistng the commissioners in protecting the inter
ests OF the United States. l recommend this sub
ject to the early and favorable consideration OF
Congress.
Complaints have been made in regard TO the in
efficiency of the means provided by the government
of New Grenada for transporting the United States
mail across the isthmus Of Panama, pursuant 70 our
Postal convention with that republic, Of the 9th OF
March, 1874. Our Charge dAfuircs at Bogota
has been directed to make such representations to
the government of New Grenada will, il is hoped,
lead to prompt removal of this cause OF com
plant.
The sanguinary civil war with which the Repub-
lie of Venezuela has for some time past been raw
aged has been brought to close. In its progress,
the rights of some of citizens resident trading
there have been violated The restoration of order
will afford the Venezuelan government an opportu-
nifty to examine and redress these grievances and
others OF longer standing, which representatives
at Caracas have hitherto, Intellectually urged upon
the attention Of that government.
The extension of the coast OF the United States
the Pacific, and the unexamped rapidity with which
the inhabitants of California, especially, are in
crcasing in numbers, have impaired new copsc
quence to our relations with the other countries
whose territories border upon that ocean Ii is prob
able that the intercourse between those countries
and our possessions IN that quarter, particularly
with the Republic OF Chilli will become extensive
and mutually advantageous i'll proportion as Cali
tornia and Oregon shall increase in population and
wealth. 1t is desirable, therefore, that this Gov
eminent should do every thing in its power TO fos-
and that the spirit of amty between us should be
mutual and cordial.
recommend the observance of the same course
towards all other American States The United
States stand as the great American power which,
their natural ally and friend, they will always
be disposed first, to look for mediation and assist
ance, in the event of any collision between them
and any European nation. AS SUCH we NAV often
kindly mediate in their BEHALF without entangling
ourselves IN foreign wars or unnecessary contro-
versies. Whenever the faith of our treaties with
any OF them shall require our interference, must
necessarily interpose.
convention has been negotiated with Brazil,
providing for the satisfaction of American claims
on that government, and it will be submitted to
the Senate Since the last session of Congress, we
have received an Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenipotentiary from that empire and our rela-
tons with il are founded upon the most amicable
understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an amend
ment of our existing laws relating to the African
slave trade, with view to the efiectual suppression
OF that barbarous traffic. 1t is not to be denied
that this trade is still, in part carried on by means
OF vessels built Ill the United States, and owned
navigated by some ofour citizens. The correspon-
dence between the Department of State and the
Minister and Consul of the United States at Rio de
Janeiro, which has from time to time been laid be-
fore Congress, represents that it is a customary
device to evade the penalties of our laws by means
OF sea letters. Vessels sold in Brazil, when pro-
vided with such papers by the Consul instead of
returning to the United States for new register
pose of obtaining cargoes of slaves. Much add.
honal information, of the same character has re-
Gently been transmitted to the Department of
State, 1t has not been considered the policy of
our laws to subject an American citizen, who in a
foreign country, purchases vessel built in the
United States, to the inconvenience of sending her
home for a new register, before permitting her To
proceed on voyage Any alteration of the laws,
which might have tendency to impede the free
transfer OF property in vessels between our citizens
or the free navigation of those vessels between diff
ferent parts of the world, when employed in lawful
commerce, should be well and cautiously consid
cred but trust that your wisdom will devise
method by which our general policy, in this re-
sPect, 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 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 arnity and commerce. which will
be laid before the Senate.
A contract having been concluded with the State
OF Nicaragua, by company composed of Ameri-
can citizens, for the purpose of constructing ship
canal, through the territory of that State to con-
meet the Atlantic and Pacific oceans have direct
ed the negotiation of treaty with Nicaragua,
pledging both governments 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 benefit to be derived by each from such an
arrangement, will be the protection Of this great
lnter-oCcanlc communication against any power
which might seek TO obstruct it, or to monopolize
Its advantages All States, entering into such a
treaty, will enjoy the right of passage through the
canal on payment of the same tolls.
The work, If constructed under these e,arap-
tees, will become a bond of peace instead Of sub
Ject oil contention and STRIFE between the nations Of
the earth. Should the great maritime States of
Europe consent to this arrangement, (and We have
no reason to suppose that proposition so fair and
honorable will be opposed by any, the energies of
their people and ours will cooperate in promoting
the success of the enterprise. do not recommend
any appropriation from the National treasury for
this purpose, nor do l believe that such an appro-
priaton is necessary. Private enterprise, if pro
periy protected, will complete the work. should il
prove to be feasible. The parties who have pro-
cured the charter from Nicaragua, for its con
structlon, desire no assistance from this Govern
ment beyond its protection; and they profess that
having examined the proposed line Of communica-
ton, they will be ready to commence the under
taking whenever that protection shall be extended
TO them. Should there appear TO be reason on ex-
aiming the whole evidence to entertain a serious
doubt OF the practicab4ty of constructing such
canal that doubt could be speedily solved by an
actual exploration of the route.
Should such work be constructed under the
common protection of all nations, for equal bene-
fits to all, it would be neither Just nor expedient
that any great maritime State should command
the communication. The territory through which
the canal may be opened ought to be freed from
the claims OF any foreign power. No such power
should occupy position that would enable ii here
alter 10 exercise so controlling an influence over
the commerce of the world, or TO obstruct a high
way which ought TO be dedicated to the common
uses of mankind.
The routes across the Isthmus, at Tehuantepec
and Panama are also worthy of our serious con-
sideration. They did not fail to engage the
attention of my predecessor The negotiator Of
the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was instructed TO
offer very large sum of money for the right of
transit across the 1sthmus of Tehuantepec. The
Mexican government did not accede TO the propo-
stlOn for the purchase Of the right of wav nroba-
bly, because il had already contracted with private
individuals ior the construction Of passage from
the Guasacualco river TO Tehuantepec. shall not
renew any proposition to purchase, for money, a
right which ought to be equally secured TO all ma
tons, on payment Of reasonable toll to the own.
crs OF the improvement, who would doubtless be
well contentcd with that compensation and the
guarantees of the maritime States Of the world, in
separate treaties negotiated with Mexico, b ndng
her and them to protect those who should con-
struct the work. Such guarantees would do more
to secure the completion of the communication
through the territory of Mexico, than any other
haf b.o