Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

pective Importance of the islands as a place Of re-
/ fuge and refresbment for vessels engaged in
the whale fishery, and by the consideration that
they lie in the course of the great trade which must
at no distant day. be carried on between the west
ern coast of North America and Eastern Asia
We were also influenced by desire that those
islands should not pass under the control of any
other great maitime State, but should remain in
! independent condition, and so be accessible and
useful to the commerce of all nations. / need Eoe
say that the importance of these considerations has
been greatly enhanced by the sudden and vast de-
velopment which the interests of the United States
have attained in California and Oregon and the
policy heretofore adopted in regard to those islands
will be steadily pursued.
! 1t is gratifying not only to those who consider
the commercial interests of nations, but also 10 all
who favor the progress of knowledge and the diffu
sion ofrehglon, to see community emerge from a
savage state and attain such degree of civiIiza-
tion in those distant seas.
1t is much to be deplored that the internal tran
guilty of the Mexican republic should again be
seriously disturbed for, since the peace between
that republic and the United States, it had enjoy
ed such comparative repose that the most favorable
anticpations for the future might, with degree
of confidence, have been indulged These how
ever, have been thwarted by the recent outbreak
in the State of Tamaulipas, on the right bank Of
the Rio Bravo. Having received information that
persons from the United States had taken part in
the insurrection and apprehending that their ex
ample might be followed by others, l caused or
ders to be issued for the purpose of preventing any
hostile expeditions against Mexico from being set
on foot in violation of the laws of the L. States.
I likewise issued proclamation upon the subject,
a copy of which is herewith laid before YOU. This
appeared to be rendered imperative by the obliga-
tons of treaties and the general duties of good
neighborhood
1o-4 ~
that citizens of the United States had undertaken
the connexon of the two oceans by means of a
rail road across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, un-
der grant of the Mexican government to a citi-
zen of that republic; and that this enterprise
would probably be prosecuted with energy when
/ ever Mexico should consent TO such stipulations
with the Government of the United States as
should impart feeling of security to those who
should invest their property in the enterprise
! A convention between the two governments for
the accomplishment of that end has been ratified
by this Government, and only awaits the decision
of the Congress and the Executive.
Some unexpected difficulties and DELAYS have
arisen in the ratification of that convention by
Mexico, but it is to be presumed that her decision
will be governed by just and enlightened views, as
well of the general Importance Of the object as of
her own interests and obligations
In negotiating upon this important subject, this
Government has had in view one, and only one,
object The object has been and is, the construc-
ton or attainment of a passage from ocean to
ocean, the shortest and the best for travellers and
merchandise and equally open to all the world
1t has sought to obtain territorial acquisition
nor any advantage peculiar to itself and it would
see, with the greatest regret that Mexico should
oppose any obstacle to the accomplishment of an
enterprise which promises so much convenience to
the whole commercial world, and such eminent
advantages to Mexico herself Impressed with
these sentiments and these CONVICTIONS the Gov
ernment will continue to exert all proper efforts to
bring about the necessary arrangement with the
republic of Mexico for the speedy completion of
1 the work
For some months past the Republic of Nicara-
qua has been the theatre of of those civil con
vulsions, from which the cause of free institutions
and the general prosperity and social progress of
the States of Central America have so often and
so severely suffered. Until quiet shall have been
restored, and government apparently stable
shall have been organized, no advance can pru-
IDENTIFY be made in disposing of the questions pen
ding between the two countries.
am happy to announce that an inter oceanic
communication from the mouth of the ST. John
to the Pacific has been so far accomplished as that
passengers have actually trayersed it and mer-
chandise has been transported over it; and when
the canal shall have been completed, according to
the original plan the means of communication viii
be further improved.
1t is understood that a considerable part Of the
railroad across the Isthmus of Panama has been
completed, and that the mail and passengers will
in future be conveyed thereon.
Whichever of the several routes between the
two oceans may ultimately prove most eligible for
travellers to and from the different States on the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and our coast on the
Pacific, there is little reason to doubt that all of
them viii be useful to the public, and will literally
reward that individual enterprise, by which alone
they have been to be carried into effect.
Peace has been concluded between the contend
ing parties in the Island of St. Domingo and it is
hoped upon durable basis. Such is the extent
of our commercial relations with that Island that
the U. States cannot fail to feel strong interest
in its tranquility
The office of Commissioner to China remains
untitled; several persons have been appointed
and the place has been offered to others, all of
whom have declined its acceptance, on the ground
of the inadequacy of the compensation. The an
nual allowance by law is six thousand dollars, and
there is no provision for any outfit. l earnestly
recommend the consideration of this subject to
Congress. Our commerce with China is highly
important and is becoming more and more so, in
consequence of the increasing intercourse between
our ports on the Pacific coast and Eastern Asia
China is understood to be country in which liy-
ing is very expensive, and know of no reason
why the American Commissioner sent bisher
should not be placed, in regard to compensation,
on an equal footing with ministers who represent
this country at the courts of Europe.