The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-03

NJ executed In the discharge of this duty. so
a EMMY imposed upon me by the gConstifutior
y and by my oath of Office, shall shrink from N
0 responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet event
as they may arise, with firmness, as well rs wit
prudence and discretion. ~ q *
The appointing power is one Of the most de
licate with which the Executive is invested.
regard it as a sacred trust to be exercised witt
the sole view of advancing the prosperity an,
happiness Of the people. 1t shall be my effor
to elevate the standard of official employment
by selecting for places ofimportance individual,
fitted for the posts to which they are assigned
by their known integrity, talents, and virtues
In so extensive country, with so great a popu
lation, and where few persons appointed to ofc,
can be known to the appointing power, mistake.
will sometimes unayoidably happen, and unfor
tunate appointments be made, Observation-Disclosures
greatest care In such cases, the power of re-
moval may be properly exercised; and neglect
or duty or malfeasance in Office will be no more
tolerated in individuals appointed by myself than
in those appointed by others.
am happy in being able to say that no un
favorable change in our foreign relations has
taken place since the message at the opening oil
the last session Of Congress. We are at peace
with all nations, and we enjoy in an eminent de-
gree the blessings Of that peace, in prosperous
and growing commerce, and in all the forms OF
amicable national intercourse. The unexamped
| growth or the country, the present amount oil
It's population, and its ample means Of self-pro-
lection, 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 and Great Britain, in April last
Tor facilitating and protecting the construction
OF snip canal between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, and for other purposes. This instru.
ment has since been ratified by the contracting
parties, tae exchange of ratifcations has been
effected, andproelamation thereof has been duly
made.
In addition to the stipulations contained is
this convention, two other objects remain to be
accomplished between the contradctng powers.
First, the designation and establishment Of a
free port at each end of the canal
Second, an agreement fixing the distance from
the shore within which belligerent maritime
operations shall not be carried on. On these
points there is little doubt that the two govern
ments will come to an understanding.
The company Of citizens of the United States
who have acquired from the State Of Nicaragu;
the privilege of constructing a ship canal be-
tween the two oceans, through the territory Of
that State, have made progress in their prelm
nary arrangements. The treaty between the
United States and Great Britain of the 10Th OF
April last, above referred to, being now in oper.
alton, it is to be hoped that the guarantees which
it offers will be sufficient to secure the compile
ton of the work with all practicable expedition
1t is obvious that this result would be indefinitely
postponed, if any other than peaceful measures
for the purpose of harnonizlng conflicting claims
to territory in that quarter, should be adopted
1t will consequently be my endeavor to cause
any further negotiations on the part of this
Government, which may be requisite for this
! purpose, to be so conducted rs to bring them to
a speedy and successful close.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred, ars-
ing from distance and the difficulty of inter
course between this Government and that OF
Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has ust been re-
ceved Of the appointment of an Envoy Extra
! ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that
| Government to reside at Washington, whose ar.
rival may soon be expected, it is hoped that NO
further impediments will be experienced in the
| prompt transaction of business between the two
governments.
Citizens Of the United States have undertaken
the connexio& of the two oceans by means of
| railroad acr9ss the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
under grants of the Mexican government to
i citizen Of that republic. 1t is understood that
i thorough survey of the course of the communi
cation is in preparation and there is every reaso
to expect that it will be prosecuted with char
acteristic energy, especially when that govern
mcnt shall have consented to such stipulation
| with the Government Of the United States n
may be necessary to impart a feeling of securit,
to those, who may embark their property in tn
enterprise. Negotiations are pending for tn
accomplishment Of that object, and hope i
A
ment Of Mexico shall become duly sensible c
the advantages which that country cannot fail t
derive from the work, and learn that the Go,
4 ernment Of the United States desires that til
right Of sovereignty Of Mexico in the isthmu
shall remain unimpaired, the stpulations referre
b to will be agreed to with alacrty.
n BY the last advices from Mexico it would a
h paer, however, that that government entertain
0 strong objections to some of the stipulation
e which the parties concerned in the project Oft
e railroad deem necessary for their protection al
: security. Further consideration, it is to
! hoped, or some modification of terms, may "
t reconcile the differences existing between Il
|, two governments in this respect.
l.. Fresh instructions have recently been give
l. to the Minister Of the United States in Mexic
j. who is prosecuting the subject with promptitut
n and ability.
II Although the negotiations with Portugal, f
r, the payment of claims of citizens of the Unite
e States against that Government, have not "
resulted in formal treaty, yet propostic
made by the Government Of Portugal for II
r final adjustment and payment of those claim
n has recently been accepted on the part Of Il
e United States. 1t gives me pleasure TO say th
: Mr.. Clay, to whom the negotiation on the pa
y Of the United States had been entrusted, di
S charged the duties of his appointment with abb
2 ity and discretion, acting always within the ir
Y structions of his Government
1t is expected that regular convention vii
) be Immediately negotiated for carrying theagree
ment between the two Governments into et
[ feet.
! The commissioner appointed under the act O
I Congress for carrying into effect the convention
with Brazil, Of the 9th of January, IS49 ha
entered upon the performance of the duties i'm
posed upon him by that act. 1t is hoped tina
those duties may be completed within the tim
, which it prescribes. The documents, however
which the Imperial Government, by the third ar
: tclc of the convention stimulates to furnish I,