Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-01-01
.trenetbs It's relations with those States and that
the spirit Of amitY between Jus should be mutual

80 ksst4as - = z 3
IstreugtBn It's relations with those States and that
the spirit Of amity between us should be mutual
and cordial. ST = ssis E "a e
lreeonlmend the observance of The same course
towardssall other American States The United
states sEapd as the great American power to which,
as their ally and friend they will always be
disposet first, to look for iation and assistance
IN the event of any collision between them and ahy
Eufopcsn nation. AS such, we may often kindly
meditate in their behalf without entangling our
selves ntoreign
Whenever the faith of our treaties with any ofthem
shall require our interference must necessarily
interpose. ..fSE i-.st5sss, r.
A convention has been negotiated with Brazil,
providing for the satisfaction of American claims
on that government, and ii will be submitted 10 the
Senate Since the last session of Congress- we
have received an Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
Ter from that empire and our reia5
tiona with il are founded upon the most amicable
~ lisi q
Your attention is earnestly invited to sn amend
ment ofEeur existing laws relating TO the African
slave trade with view the effectual suppression
of that 1T is not TO be denied that
this trade IS still, carried on By means Of
vessels Hilt In fhe United States and owned or nay=
gated bskorne -four citizens. The correspondence
tbetsfaeE fs Department of State and the Minister
and CoNsnl of the United States at Rio de Janeiro
which has from time 10 time been laid before Con-
gress, is customary device
the penalties of laws by means of sea-leiters-
VeAselsaoid in Brazil, when provided with such pa
pers by The Consul instead of returning TO the Uni
coast of.Afrca, for the purpose of obtaining car
goes of slaves. Much additional Information, of
the e;same5character has recently been transmitted
TO the Department of State. 1t has not been con-
sidered the policy of our laws to subject an Amer-
can citizen, who. in foreign country, purchases
vessel hnilt in the United States, to the inconve
niehce Of sending her home for new register, be-
fore permitting her to proceed on a voyage. Any
alteration of the laws, which might have tenden-
cy 20 impede the free transfer of property in vessels
between our citizens, the free navigation of those
vessels between different parts of the world, when
employed in lawful commerce, should be well and
cautiously considered; but trust that yourwisdom
will devise method by which our, general policy,
in this respect may be preserved, and at the same
time the abuse of our flag, by means of sea-letters
in she manner indicated, may be prevented.
Having ascertained that thereis no prospect of
the reun ION OF the Eve States of Central America,
which formerly composed the Republic of that
name, We have separately negotiated with some of
them treaties of amity and commerce; (which will
be laid before the Senate. 5ss.s.sts
A contract having been concluded with the State
OF Nicaragua, by company composed OF American
citizens for the purpose OF constructing ship canal
through the territory of that State connect the At
lantic and Pacific oceans have directed the ,nego-
tiation OF treaty with Nicaragua pledging both
governments to protect those who shall engage in
and perfect the work. All other nations are nyied
by the State of Nicaragua to enter into the same
treaty stpulatons with herr and the beneftto be de-
rived by each from such an arrangement, will be
The protection ofthe great communica-
tion inst any power which might seek TO obsruct
it, or to nonopoiZe its advantages. All states, en-
tefng into such treaty will enjoy the right Of pas
sage through the canal on payment of the same
oils.
The cork if constructed under these guarantees,
will besome bond of peace, instead of subject of
contention and strife, between the nations of the
ealth. Should the great maritime States OF Europe
consentt this arrangement (and we have no reaso1
TO suPppse that proposition SO fair and honorable
will be opposed by any the energies OF their people
Tli+ enterprises: iany1 appropria-
tii:n frGta the National treasury for this purpose,
g. kn1s.. ~ Safsn Se
sary. Private enterprise, if properly protected will
complete the work, should il 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; and
they profess that having examined the proposed line
of communication, they will be ready TO commence
the undertaking whenever that protection shall be
extended to them. Should there appearto be reason,
on examining the whole evidence 10 entertain se-
rGus doubt OF the practicabty of constructing such
canal, that doubt could be speedily solved by an
actual exploration of the route. ~
Should such work be constructed, under the
cotnmcn protection of all nations, for equal benefits
to ALL It would be neither Just nor that any
great roaratime State should command the commu.
nication. The territory through which the canal
may be opened ought be freed from the claims OF
any foreign power. No such power should occupy
position that would enable il hereafter to exercise
so!contreling an influence over the commerce THE
wGrld, ;oF to obstruct highway which ought to be
Dedicated to the common uses of mankind: 6gl.
The routes across the Isthmns, at Tehuantepec
siGeration. They did not fail TO engage the at.en-
tida Of my predecessor. The negotiator of the
treaty af Guadalupe Hidalgo was instructed 70 Of
fer very large sum ofmoney for the right of tran
sit across the isthmus of Tehuantepec.i The Mexi-
can government did not accede 10 the proposition
fosithe purchase Of the right of way probably be-
cause Il had already contracted with private lnd1-
vidualsfor the construction of a passage from the
Gnasaeualco river to TehuantePec.ssI shall not
renew any3proposition TO purchase, for money, a
right which ought 10 be equally secured to all ma
tiGns on payment of a reasonable toll to the own
efs oi The heinprovement, who would, doubtless be
well contented with that compensation and the
guarantees of the maritime States OF the world IN
separate treatise negotiated with Mexico, binding
her and them TO protect those who should construct
the WORK. Such hguatanteest would do more to Sc
cure tbs completion ofthe Communication through
consideration that could be offered and as Mexico
herselt would be the greatest gamer by the open
ing ofEthis communication between the Gulf and
the Pacific ocean it is presumed that she would not
hesitae. to yield her aid in the manner proposed,
ta accomplish an Improvement SO importantto her
own best interests 3 5s{i.sg 75f5;f,ss 81 &
.We.have reason hope that the proposed rail-
road across the Isthmus at Panama will be
constructed, under the protection of the late
treaty with New Grenada a, ratified and exchanged
'Iny predecessor on the 10th day of June, 1S4S,
which the perfect neutrality of the 18th
mus, and the rights ofsoyereignty and property OF
New Grenada over that territory, {. with a view
tkat the free transit from ocean 10 ocean may not
bs in Interrupted or embarrassed .; during the ex-
istence the treaty. H isour policy TO encourage
every practical route across the lsthmus, which
connects North and South America either by rail-
road or canal, which the energy and enterprise of
0ar citizens may induce them 10 complete; and
consider itobligatory upon me 70 adoptth policy,
in of the absolute necessity
3tfacii,ating Intercourse with onr possessions on
the Pacific. III a. j
The position of the Sandwich Islands, with refer
snce the territory of the United STATES the Pa
cific; fhe success of our persevering and beneyo
Isn't citizens who have repaired to thatr remote quar-
and them
tE adopt system of governme and laws suited to
tkeir capacity and wants; and the use made by our
numerous ships ot the harbors OF the islands
as pls of resort for Obtaining and