Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-12
VOL. v.

| DrOtGctlOn Oi TIE WGdh, anu tnc OliN CiuOiCit
restraint upon the strong. When impartially
and faithfully administered, none Is beneath It's
protection, and none above lis control. You,
gentlemen, and the country may be assured that
10 the utmost Of my ability, and TO the extent OF
the power vested in me, shall at all times, land
in all places, take care that the law be faithful
ly executed. In the discharge of this duty sol
emnly imposed upon me by the Constitution,
and by my oath of office, shall shrink from no
responsibility ,and shall endeavor to meet events
as they may arise, with firmness, las well as with
prudence and discretion.
The appointing power is one of the most del
cate with which the Executive is invested. l
regard it as a sacred trust, to be exercised with
the sole view of advancing the happiness and
prosperity of the people. II shall be my effort
to elevate the standard of official employment,
BY selecting for places of Importance impor-
tance individuals fitted for the posts to which
they are assigned, by their known integrity,
talents and virtues In so extensivea country,
with so great population and where few per-
sons appointed to office can be known to the
appointing power, mistakes will sometimes
unavoidably happen, and unfortunate appoint
ments be made, notwithstanding the greatest
care. In such cases the power of removal may
be properly exercised and neglect OF duty or
malteasance in office will be no more le~ated
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
of the last session of Congress. We are at
peace with all nations, and we enjoy in an en-
nent degree, the blessings of that peace, in a
md and m all
the forms of amlcable national intercourse
The uneAampled growth of the country, the
present amount of It's population, and its ample
means of selt-prolectlcn, assure for il the res
pect of all nations ; while it is trusted that It's
character for justice, and regard TO the rights
of other States, will cause that respect TO be
readily and chceriuly paid.
A convention was negotiated between the
United States aud Great Britain, in April last,
for facilitating and protecting the construction
of a ship canal between The Atlantic and Pa
ciiic Oceans, and for other purposes. This in-
s,rumeni has since been ratified by the contract
lRg parties, the exchange of ratIiicailons his
been effected, and proclamation thereof has been
duly made.
In addition TO the stipuls,ious contained in
this convention, two other objects remain 10 be
accomplished between the contracting powers.
First the designation aud establishment of a
free port at each end OF the canal.
Secnnd. an agreement fixing the distance
from the shore within which bcliigerent mar
time operations shall not he carried on. Ga
these points there Is lutte doubt that the two
governments will come 10 an understanding.
Ire company of cir,z Ms OF the United states
who have acquired irum the State of Nicaragua
the privilege OF constructing ship canal be-
tween the two oceans. though the territory Of
hat STATE. have made prurrcss IN their prelIm-
mary arrangements. The treaty between the
ait 4 States and Great Britain, of the l9Ih oi
Aprl last. above referred to, being now IN op-
eraiion. 1t Is To bs hoped that the guarantees
which Il oilers will be sufficient Ia secure the
completion of the work with all practicable ex-
petition. Ii is obvious that this result would be
indefinitely postponed, II any other than peace
ful measures, for the purpose of harmonlzln.
conflicting claims 10 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 re-
quisi,e for this purpose, 10 be 50 conducted as
to bring them TO a speedy and successful close.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred, arls-
ing from distance and the difficulty of inter-
course between this Government and that OF
Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has Just been re-
ceivcd of the appointment of an Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Penipotentlary of that
Government TO reside at Washington, whose
arrival may soon be expected, it is hoped that nc
further impediments will be experienced In tine
prompt transaction of business between the two
Governments.
Cilizens of the United States have under
taken the conncxon of the two oceans by means
of railroad across the Isthmus of Tchuante.
pee, under grants of the Mexican Government
to citizen of that Republic, 1t is understood
that thorough survey OF the course OF the
communication is in preparation, and there Is
every reason 10 expect that il will be prosecut-
ed with characteristic energy, especially when
that Government shall have consented to such
stlpulations with the Government of the United
States as may be necessary TO impart feeling
of security to those, who may embark their prop
erty in tue enterprise. Negotiations are pend
ing for the accomplishment of that object, ant
hope is confidently entertained that, when the
Government of Mexico shall become duly sen
sible Of the advantages which that country can
not fail to derive from the work, and learn tina
the Government of the United States desires
that the right of sovereignty of Mexico In the
isthmus shall remain unimpared the supulatlon
referred to will be agreed to with alacrlty.
By the last adyices.from Mexico it would ap
pear, however, that that Government entertaln:
strong objections to some OF the stipulation:
which the parties concerned in the project o
railroad deem necessary for their protection ant
security. Further consideration, It Is TO bt
hoped, or some modification of terms, may We
rpcnncIlp the dlt fpr pyrStInp between the
two Governments in this respect.
! Fresh instructions have recently been giveI
to the Minister of the United States in Mexi
co. who is prosecuting the subject with promp
titude and ability.
Although the negotiations with Portugal 70
the payment of claims of citizens of the Uni
ted States against that Government, have no
I yet res uited IN formal treaty, yet PROPOSE
tIon made by the Government of Portugal TO
the final adjustment and payment of thos,
claims, has recently been accepted on the par
of the United States. 1t gives me pleasure t.
say that Mr Clay, to whom the negotiation OF
the part of the United States had been entrust
ed discharged the duties of his appointment
with ability and discretion, acting aiway
within the instructions of his Government.
1t Is expected that a regular convention will
be Immediately negotiated for carrying the a
greement between The two Governments int
effect.
ihe commissioner appointed under the &c
of Congress for carrying into effect the con
ventlon with Brazil, of the 9th of January
} lS49, has entered upon the performance of tn
duties imposed upon him by that act. 1t
hoped that those duties may be complete
within the time which il prescr,hes The dor