Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-01-05
NO 33

permitting her 10 proceed on voyage.
Any alteration of the laws which might
have a tendency to impede the free trans,
Ter OF property 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 we'll and cautiously
considered; but trust that Your wisdom
Will devise method by which our eener
al policy, in this respect, may be pre-
served, and at the same time the abuse of
onrt flag, by means of sca-letters, in the
mUnnerindicatcd. may be prevented.
Having ascertained that there is no
prospect of the reunion of the FIVE States
of Central America, which formerly com
posed the republic of that name we
have separately negotiated with some
ot them treaties of amity and commerce,
which will be laid before the Senate
a contract having been concluded with
the State of Nicaragua. by a company
composed of American citizens, for the
purpose of constructing ship canal thro'
the territory Of that State, to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, have dircc-
ted the negotiation of q treaty with Mica
ragua, plcdging both Governments to
protect those who shall engage in and
perfect the work. All other nations, are
invited by the State of Nicaragua to en-
ten, 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 monopo-
lize its advantages. All States entering
into such treaty will enjoy the right Of
passage through the canal on payment of
the same tolls. .#.. r.s'ta.s4
The work, if constructed under these
guarantees, will become bond of peace
instead OF subject of contention and
strife between the nations of the earth.
Should the great maritime States Of
Europe consent to this arrangement, land
VIC have no reason tosuppose that pro-
position so fair and honorable will be OPP
posed by any,) the energies of their pea
pleand ours will cooperate in promoting
the success, OF the enterprise. do not
recommend any appropriation from the
National 1rersury for this purpose, nor do
believe that such an appropriation is
necessary. Private enterprise; if proper
| ly protected, will complete the work,
should prove to be feasible. The par
ties who have procured the charter from
Nicaragua, forits construction desire no
assistance from this Government beyond
its protection; and they profess that, hav-
ing examined the proposed line Of com-
munication, they will be ready to COM
mence the undertaking whenever that
protection shall be extended to thcm.--s-
Shoulu there appear to be reason, on ex.
amlningthe whole evidence, to entertain
asesions doubt Of practicability of con-
structing such a canal, that doubt could
be speedily solved by an actual explora-
ton of the route. gr m VII
loShould such work be constructed,
under The common protection Of all ma,
tons, for equal benefits to all, it would be
neither just nor expedient that any great
maritime State should command the COM
munication. The territory thro' which
the canal may be opened ought to be
freed from the claims of any foreign
Power. No such Power should occupy
a position that would enabled it hereafter
to exercise SO controlling an influence
ovcrthe commerce of the world, or to
obstruct highway which ought to be,
dedicated to the common use Of mankind
]. adlhe routes across the Isthmus, at IeJ
huantepec and Panama, are also worthy,
1 ofNour serious consideration. They did,
not tailtoe engage the attention Of my
predecessor The,negotiator of the tlea-
ty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was instructed
to offer alarge sum of noneylofor the
right of transit across the isthmus Tehuan
tepec.t The Mexican Government did
not accede to the proposition for the purA
chase pfthe right OF way, probably be-
cause it,had already contraeted switliypri-s
vate individuals foB the construction ofa
passage from the Guasacualo river, toTe-t
huantepec. shall not renew any. prot
position TO purchase, for money!, q right.
hichought to be secured to all nations,
on. payment of q reasonable toll 10 the
owners Of the improvement, who would,
doubtless, be.contented with that coiapen
sation and theiguarantics ofthe maiatime
States Of the world, in separate treaties.
negotiated with Aexico, binding her and
them toprotect those who should con
struet the. work. Such guarantees would
do more to secure the completion of the,
communication through the territory of
Me3lco than other reasonable consideYa-