Litchfield enquirer., 1850-01-03


 
 lisional Information of the same ehsFacteEs has rsof1fly been trausmitted to the De- rartmsnt Of State. It has not been con sidered the policy of our laws to subject an 1 Amcfican citizen. who, in . foreign coun- try, purchases vessel built in the United States, to the inconvenience of sending her home for anew register, before psrnlistingl her to proceed on voyage. Any altera- tion of the laws which might have tsn- dency to impede the free transfer of prop erty in vessels between our citizens. or the free navigation of those vessels between different parts of the world. when employ ed in lawful commerce. should De well and cautiously considered; but trust that your wisdem willsdsxisea method by which our generah policy iRthis respect, may be presersed; anaat tue same time, the abuse of our Sag. by means of sea letters in the manner indicated. may be prevented.
 Having ascertained that there Is no pros- pecf of the rs.uniun of the five States of Centrpl America, formerly composing the republic os that nams,. we have separately nego:ia.ed with some of them treaties of .amity and commerce, which will be laid be- fore the Senate.a if
 A eontr>ct having been concluded with the State of Nicaragua, by company of American citizens, for the purpose of con- ssrecting a ship canal through the territory of that State, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, have directed the negoti- ation of treaty with Nicaragua. Pledging both governments to protect those who shell engage in and perfect the wogk T other nations are invited by tis Stat
 Nicaragua to enter into The same treat slis pulations with her and the benefit to Dc derived from such an arrangement, by each, will be the protection of this great inter oceanic communication against any power which might seek to obstruct it, ol to monopolize it's advantages. All States entering into such treaty will enjoy the right of passage through the canal. on pay. ment of the same tolls. The work, if con. structed under these guarantees, will be. come bond of peace, instead of a subject of contention and strife, between the ma tions of the earth. Should the great mar. itime States of Europe consent to this ar engagement, land we have no reason to sup pose that proposition so fair and honora- ble 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 pur- pose, nor do believe that such an appro- pristion is necessary. Private enterprise. if properly protected. will complete the work, should it prove to be feasible. The parties who have procured the charter from Nicaragua, for its construction, desire no assistance from this Government beyond its protection i; and they profess that. having examined the proposed line of communica- tion, they will be ready to commence the : undertaking whenever thdt protection shall be extended to them. Should there ap- pear to be reason. on examining the whole evidence. to entertain a serious doubt oi the practicability of constructing such a canal, that doubt could be speedily solved t-- l>-.~A:1,.e >c Al.- s.aaaA a--.--
 Should such a work be constructed, un. der the common protection of all nations, far eansf benefits to all, 1t would De neither NNE expedient thhs eny grvus rsuSftitns 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 shonld occupy position that would ena- ble 1t hereafter to exercise so controlling al, influence over the commerce of the world, or to obstruct a highway which ought to be dedicated to the common uses of mankind.
 The routes across. the lsthmus, at Te- huantepec and Panama, are also worthy of our serious consideration. They did not ail to engage the attention of my prede- ,essor. The negotiator of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was instructed to offer very large sum of money for the right of ransit across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Mexican government did not accede to he proposition for the purchase of the fight of way, probably because it had al- 'eady contracted with private individuals or the construction of a passage from the 5uasacualo river to Tehuantepec. shall lot renew any proposition to purchase for money, a right which ought to be, equally se- ,ured to allnations, on payment of reason .ble toll to the owners of the improvement, vho, would, doubtless, be we'll contented riths that compensation and the guarantees # the maritime States of the world, in se- ,arate treaties negotiated with Mexico, bin- ling her and them to protect those who mould construct the work. Such guaran- ees would,do more to secure the compile ion of the communication through the tef- -itory of Mexico. than any other reasona- that could be offered ;; and as Mexico herself would be the greatest gainer by the opening of this communica- ton between the Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is presumed that she would not hesitatn.