Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-05

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noval may be properly exercised; and neglect
IF duty or malfeasance in Office will be no more
tolerated in individuals appointed by myself than
IN those appointed by others.
1 am happy in being able to say that no unfa-
vorable change in our foreign relations has taken
place since the message at the opening of the
last session of Congress. We are at peace with
all nations, and we enjoy in an eminent degree
the blessings of that peace, in prosperous and
growing commerce, and in all the forms of ami
cable national intercourse. The unexampled
growth of the country, the present amount of its
population, and its ample means of selfprotec-
ton, assure for it the respect of all nations
while it is trusted that its character for justice,
and regard to the rights of other States, will
cause that respect to be readily and cheerfully
paid.
A convention was negotiated between the
United States aid Great Britain, in April last for
facilitating the construction of ship canal be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and for
other purposes This instrument has since been
ratified by the contracting parties. the exchange
of rati6cations his been effected, and proclama-
ton thereof has been duly made.
In addition to the stipuations contained in this
convention, two other objects remain to be ac-
complished between the contracting parties.
lfSt, tilc utSlgIdtluIl duu cStdD.lSuulcul Va u
free port at each end of the canal
Second, an agreement fixing the distance from
the shore within. which belligerent maritime op-
erations shall not be carried on. On these
points there is little doubt that the two govern
ments will come to an understanding. 9-
The company of citizens of the United States
who have acquired from the State of Nicaragua
the privilege of constructing a ship canal be-
tween the two oceans, through the territory of
that State, have made progress in their prelimn-
arv arrangements The treaty between the U.
S. and Great Britain. of the 18th 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 obvi-
Gus that this result would be indefinitely postpon-
ed, if any other than peaceful measures for the
purpose of harmonizng conflicting claims to ter
rliory in that quarter, should be adopted 1t will
consequently be my endeavor to cause any fur
Their negotiations on the part of this Government.
which may be requisite for this purpose, 10 be so
conducted as to bring them to 4 speedy and sue
ceSsful close.
Some unavailable 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 Min
lister PlenipotentIary of that Government to re-
side at w ashlngton, whose arriva may soon be
expected, it is hoped that no further impedinents
will be experienced in the prompt transactions of
business between the two Governments.
Citizens of the United States have undertaken
the connexion of the two oceans by means of a
railroad across the sthmus of Tehuantepec ,un-
der grants of the Mexican Government TO a citi-
zen Of that Republic. 1t is understood that a
thorough survey of the course OF the comnunI-
cation Is in preparation and there IS every rea-
son to expect that It will be prosecuted with char
acteristic enorgy, especially when that govern
ment shall have consented to such stipulations
with the Government of the United States as
may be necessary to impart a feeling of security
to those who may embark their property in the
enterprise Negotiations pending for the ac-
complishment of that object and hope is conf
IDENTIFY entertained that, when the Government of
Mexico shall b. come duly sensible of the advan-
tages which that country cannot fail to derive
from the work. and learn that the Government of
the United States desires that the right of sover-
eighty of Mexico in the Isthmus shall remain I'M
impai ed, the stipulations referred to will be a
greed to with alacrity.
BY the last advices from Mexico, it would ap-
pear, however, that that Government entertains
strong objections to some of the stpratons
WHICH lle tIic pItltCl Ol liie
railroad deem necessary for their protection and
security. Further consideration, it is TO be hop
ed, or some modification of terms, NAV vet rec
oncile the differences existing between the two
Governments in 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.
Although the negotiations with Portugal, for
the payment of claims of citizens Of the United
States against that Government, have not vet re-
suited in a formal treaty, yet proposition made
BY the Government of Portugal for the final
adjustment and payment of those claims, has
recently been accepted on the part of the
United States. 1t gives me pleasure to say
that Mr. Clay. to whom the negotiation on the
part of the United States had been entrusted, dis
charged the duties of his appointment with a.
bility and discretion, acting always within the
instructions of his Government.
1t is expected that a regular convention will
be immedi ltely negotiated, for carrying the a.
greement between the two GovernGieeis into eff
feet
The commissioner appointed under the act of
Congress for carrying into effect the convention
with Brazil, of the 9th of January, lag, has
entered upon the performance of the duties i'm
posed upon him by that act. Ii is hoped that
those duties may be completed within the time
which ii prescribes The documents however
which the Imperial Government, by the third ar
ticle of the convention, stipulates to furnish to
the Government of the United States, have not
yet been received. AS it is presumed that those
documents will be essential for the correct dispo-
sition of the claims, it may become necessary for
Congress to extend the period limited for the du-
ration of the commission ] he sum stipulated
by the 4th article of the convention to be paid to
this Government has been received.
The collection in the ports of the United
States of discriminating duties upon the vessels
Of Chill and their cargoes has been suspended,
pursul mt TO the provisions Of the act of Con-
gress of the 25th Of May, 1928. 1t is to be no.
ped that this measure will impart fresh impulse
to the commerce between the two countries,
which, of late and especially since our acquisi-
ton of California, has, to the mutual advantage
of the parties, been much augmented.
Peruvian guano has become SO desirable an
article to the agricultural interest of the United
States, that it is the duty of the Government to
employ all the means properly in its power for
the purpose of causing that article to be import
ed into the country at a reasonable price. Moth
ing will be omitted on my part towards accom-
pllshing this desirable end. am persuaded that
in retuovinp any restraints on This traffic the Pc