The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-01-03

rayaged, has been brought to close. In lis pro-
gress, the rights Of some Of our citizens resident
or trading there, have been violated. The resto.
ration OF order will afford the Venezuelan Gov.
ernment an opportunity to examine and redress
these grievances, and others Of longer standing
which our representative at Caracas has hereto.
fore Intellectually urged upon the attention oil tha
Government.
The extension of the coast Of the United States
on the Pacific, and the unexampled rapldity with
which the inhabitants Of California are increasing
in number, has impaired new consequence to on
relations with the other countries, whose territo-
ry borders upon that ocean. II is probable that
the intercourse between those countries, and oui
possessions in that quarter (particn.arly with the
Republic of Chili,) will become extensive and
mutually advantageous in proportion as Caisor-
MIA and Oregon shall increase in population and
wealth. II is desirable, therefore, that this gov
ernment should do everything in IFS power 20 los
rer and strengthen its relations with those States
and that the spirit of a'nity should be national
and cordial. recommend the observance ofthe
same course towards all other American States.
The United States stands as the great American
Power, 10 which, as their national ally and friend
they will always be disposed first to look fer me-
diation and assistance: Il. the event OF collision
between them and any European nations as such
we may, after kindly meditating in their behalf
without entarg'ing ourselves in foreign wars or
unnecessary controversies, whenever the faith ol
our treaties with any Of them shall require our
interference, we must interfere.
A convention has been negotiated with Brazil,
providing for the satisfaction Of American claims
on that Government, and will be submitted to the
Senate. Since the last session of Congress. we
have received an Envoy Extraordinary and Min
lister Plenipoteniiary from that Empire, and our
relations with it are founded upon the most ami
cable understanding.
a., AL 4za Il
ment Of our existing laws relating to the African
slave trade, with view to The efIectual suppress
sion OF that barbarous ir,ffic. 1t is not to be de-
MED that this trade is still in part carried on by
means of vessels built in the United States and
owned or navigaied by some OF our citizens. The
correspondence between the Department OF State.
and the Minister and Consul ofthe Y s. at Rio ia
neiro, which has, from time to time, been laid
before Congress, represents that as customary
device to evade the penalty of laws by means o
sealed letters, vessels sold in Brazil, when pre-
sented with such papers By the Consul, instead
of returning to the United States fora new regis.
ter, proceeded at once to the coast OF Africa fol
the purpose OF obtaining cargoes OF Slaves
Much additional information OF the same charac-
ter has recently been transmitted to the Depart.
ment Of State. II has not been considered the
policy of our laws 10 subject the American citi-
zens who, in foreign city, purchased vessel,
Of sending her home for new register before per-
uniting her TO proceed on voyage. AM alter
alton OF the laws which must have a tendency TO
impede free transfer of property in vessels be-
tween our citizens the free nay CATION OF those
vessels between different parts OF the world
when employed in lawful commerce, should BE-
well and cautiously considered; but rust thai
your wisdom will devise method by which oul
general policy in this respect may be pursued
and at the same time, the abuse Of our flag, by
means OF sealed letters, in the manner indicated
may be prevented.
Having ascertaued that there is no prospect oi
the five States Of Central America, which former
ly composed the R.pnblic of that name renniing
ne have negotiated with some Of them, treaties
unity and commerce, which will be laid be-
Tod the Senate.
|4 contract having been concluded with the
lie Of Nicaragua, by company composed Of
American citizens, tor the purpose of construct,
ing a shin canal through the territory Of that
State, 70 connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
| have directed negotiation Of a treaty, wi'h
Nicaragua. pledging both Governments to pro-
tect those who shall engage in and perform the
work. All others nations are invited by the State
of Nicaragua 10 enter into the same treaty s,ipu.
lations with her, and the benefit to be derived
from such an arrangement will be the protection
of this entire oceanic communication against any
power which might seek to obstruct it, or mo-
nopoIize its advantages. All States entering IN
to su,h treaty will enjoy the righ, OF passing
through the canal, on payment Of the same tolls
The work OF construction, under these guaEan"
tees, will become bond If peace, instead OF
subject OF strife between the nations oil the earth
Should the maritime States OF Europe consent tc
this arrangement, and we have no reason TO sup
pose that proposition so fair and honorable vii
be opposed by any, the energies of their people
and ours will cooperate in promoting the sue
cess of enterprise. do not recommend any ap-
preparation from the national treasury for this
purpose, nor do believe that such an appropri'
alton is necessary. Private enterprise, It proper
ly protected, will complete the work. Should !
prove to be feasible, the parties who have procu
red the charter from Nicaragua for IFS construc
ton, desire no assistance from this Government
beyond its protection; and they profess that hav-
ing examined the proposed line OF coinmunica
ton, they will be ready to commence the uncer-
taking whenever that protection will be extended
to them, Should there be reason, on examining
the whole evidence, to entertain serious doub
Of the practicability of constructing such canal
that doubt could be speedily solved by an actua
examination of the route. Should such work
be constructed, under the common protection o.
all nations, for equal benefits to ALL it would be
neither just nor expedient that any Government
or maritime State, should command the commu'
nication. The territory through which the cana
may be opened, ought 10 be freed from the claims
Of any foreign power. No such power shoult
occupy q position that would enable it hereafter
to exercise 50 controlling an influence over the
commerce OF the world, or to obstruct highway
which ought to be dedicated to the common use'
Of mankind. sse
The routes across the Istllmus Of Tehuantepet
and Panama, are also worthy Of serious consider
alton. They did not fail to engage the attention
OF my predecessor. The negotiator OF the trea'
ty OF Guadaloupe Hidalgo, was instructed to otie
very large sum Of money for the right Of transit
across The Isthmus Of Tehuansepec. The Mexi'
can Government did mol: accede to the PROPOSE
ton for the purchase Of the right of way, proba'
bly, because It had already contracted with pri'
vate individuals for the construction of the pas.
sage from Hnasacoualco river to Tehuantepec.
shall not renew any propositions to purchase io'
money right which ought to be equally secured
to all nations for reasonable tolls, TO the owners
of the improvement, who doubtless woald BE-
we'll contented with that compensation, and The
guarantees OF the maritime States Of the world