Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1851-12-05

1t is earnestly TO be hoped that the differ
+ ences which have for some time past been
/ pending between the government of the
/ French republic and that Of the Sandwich
Islands, may be pcaceably and durably ad-
! iusted so as TO secure the Independence OF
/ those islands. Long before the events which
have of late impaired SO much importanc to
+ the possessions of the United States on the
! Pacific, we acknowledged the independence
/ of the Hawaiian government This govern
! ment was first in taking that step, and seve-
! raj of the leading powers of Europe lmmedl-
/ ately followed. We were Influenced in this
measure by the existing and prospective I'M
portance of the islands as n place Of refuge
! and refrcshment for our 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 western coast of North America
and Eastern Asia.
! We were also influenced by a desire that
| those islands should not pass under the con-
! troll of any other great maritime State, but
! should remain in an independent condition,
and so be accessible and useful to the COM
/ merce of all nations. | need not say that
/ the importance Of these considerations has
/ been greatly enhanced by the sudden and
! vast development 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 con-
/ slider the commercial interests of nations, but
/ also to all who favor the progress Of knowl-
/ edge and the diffusion of religion, to see a
/ community emerge from a savage state and
/ attain such 4 degree Of civilization in those
/ distant seas
1t is much to be deplorcd that the internal
| tranquility of the Mexican republic should
/ again be seriously disturbed for, since the
peace between that republic and the United
/ States, it had enjoyed such comparative re
/ pose that the most favorable anticipations for
/ the future, might with a degree Of confidence,
! have been INDUCED. These, however, have
been thwarted by the recent outbreak, in the
! State Of Tamaulipas on the right banl, Of the
! Rio Bravo. Having received information
/ that persons from the United States had taken
/ part in the insurrection, and apprehending
/ that their example might be followed by
/ others | caused orders to be issued for the
/ purpose Of preventing any hostile expeditions
against Mexico from being set on foot lii
violation Of the laws Of the United States. |
| likewise issued a proclamation upon the sub
| iect, a copy Of which is herewith laid before
YOU. This appeared to be rendered mpera-
tive by the obligations Of treaties and the
general duties of good ncighborhood.
In my last annual message | informed
Congress that citizens Of the United States
had undertaken the connexion of the two
oceans by means of 4 railroad across the
ISthmu> Of TehauntePcc. under grant of the
. Mexican government to u citizen Of that
republic and that this enterprise would
probably be prosecuted with energy when
ever Mexico should consent to such stipula-
tions with the Government Of the United
States as should impart feeling Of security
to those who should invest their property in
the enterprise
\ convention between the two governments /
for the accomplishment of that end has been
ratified by this Government. and only awaits
the decision Of Congress and the Executive Of
that republic.
Some unexpected difficulties and delays
have arisen in the ratification of that conven-
ton hy Mexico but it iS to be presumed that
her decision will be governed by just and
/ enlightened views, as we'll Of the general
Importance Of the object, Of her own inter
est> and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important subject. /
this Government has had in view one, and
only one object. That object has been, and
IS, the construction or attainment Of a pas
sage from ocean to ocean, the shortest and
the best for travellers and merchandise. and /
equally open to all the world. 1t has sought
10 obtain no territorial acquisition. nor any
ADVANTAGES rccuIiar to itself; and it would /
sce with the greatest recrat. that Mexico
should onpose anv obstacle to the aeeomplish
mont Of an enterprise which PROMISES so
much convenience f. thc whole commercial
world. and such eminent advantages to Mex /
I leo herself Impressed with these sentiments
and these convictions, the Government Will
/ continue to exert all proper efforts to bring
/ about the necessary Advancement with the
! republic of Mexico for the speedy completion
/ of the work.