The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-11


its ample means of selfprotection, assure
for it the respect Of all nations; while it is
trusted that lis character for justice, and 8
regard to the rights 81 other States, will
cause that respect to be readily and cheer.
4 fully paid. ,'g' .'l s'' y
i A convention was negotiated between
| the United States and great Britain, in
! April last, for facilitating and protecting
the construction Of ship canal between
the Atlantic and Pacific. oceans, and fol
other purposes. This instrument has since
4 been ratified by the contracting parties
| the exchange of ratifcations has been ef:
fected, and proclamation thereof has been
! duly made.
\ In addition to the stipulations contained
/ in this convention, two other objects re.
main to be accomplished between the con
4 tracing powers:
First, the designation and establishment
/. Of free port at each end of the canal;
Second, an agreement fixing the dis.
tance from the shore within which bellige.
rent maritime operations shall not be car
ried on.
On these points there is little doubt that
the two governments will come to an un:
derstanding.
The company Of citizens Of the United
States who have acquired from the State
Of Nicaragua the privilege Of constructing
ship canal between the two oceans,
through the territory Of that State, have
made progress in their preliminary ar
rangements. The treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain, of the 10Th
Of April last, above referred to, being now
in operation, it is to be hoped that the
guarantees which it offers will be sufficient
to secure the completion Of the work with
all practicable expedition. 1t is obvious
that this result would be indefinitely post
poned, if any other than peaceful meas
ures, for the purpose Of harmonizing con-
ficting claims to territory in that quarter,
should be adopted. II will consequently
be my endeavor to cause any further ne
gotiation on the part Of this government,
which may be requisite for this purpose, to
be so conducted as to bring them to a
speedy and successful close.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred,
arising from distance and the difficulty Of
intercourse between this government and
that of Nicaragua; but, as intelligence has
just been received of the appointment Of
an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of that government to re-
side at Washington, whose arrival may
soon. be expected, it is hoped that no fur
ther impediments will be experienced in
the prompt transaction Of business be-
tween the two governments.
Citizens Of the United States have un.
dertaken the connexion of the two oceans
across the isthmus Of Tehuantepec, under
grants Of the Mexican government to
citizen of that republic. n 1t is understood
that a thorough survey of, the course of
the communication is in preparation, and
there is every reason TO expect that it will
be prosecuted with characteristic energy,
especially when that government shall
have consented to such stipulations with
the government of the United States as
may be necessary to impart feeling Of
security TO those who may embark their
property in the enterprise. Negotiations
are pending for the accomplishment of
that object; and a hope is confidently en-
tertained that, when the government of
Mexico shall become duly sensible of the
advantages which that country cannot fail
to derive from the work, and learn that
the government of the United States de-
sires that the right of sovereignty of Mexi-
CO in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired,
the stipulations referred to will be agreed
to with alacrity. .a97
By the last advices from Mexico, it
would appear, however, that that govern
ment entertains strong objections to some
Of the stipulations which the parties con-
,erned in the project Of the rail road deem
necessary for their protection and security.
Further consideration, it is to be hoped,
Or some modification of terms, may yet
reconcile the differences existing between
The two governments m this respect.
Fresh Instructions have recently been
given to the minister Of the United States
in Mexico, who is prosecuting the subject
with promptitude and ability. An,
Although the negotiations with Portugal,
or the payment Of claims of citizens Of
he United States against that govern
nent, have not yet resulted in a for
nal treaty. yet proposition, made by
me government Of Portugal for the final
adjustment and payment of those claims
las recently been accepted on the part Of
he United States. It gives me pleasure
o say that Mr.. Clay, to whom the negoti-
,tion on the part of the United States had
been entrusted, discharged the duties Of
lis appointment with ability and discre-
ion, acting always within the instructions
If his government.
tits expected that a regular convention
will be Immediately negotiated for carry
ng the agreement between the two gov
,rnments into effect. ls vsF sSst
The commissioner appointed under the
act Of Congress for carrying into effect the
convention with Brazil of the 27th Of jan