The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-07

80, This invitation has been respectfully de-
sllnsd for reasons which ID would occupy TOO much
space In this communication to STATE IN oetai, put
which led me to think that the proposed measure
would be Of doubtful consttutionality, impolitic,
and upsvaling. have, however, in common with
several Of my predecessors directed the Ministers OF
France and England to be assured that the United
States entertain no designs against Cuba; but that,
on the contrary, should regard its Incorporation
into the Union at the present time fraught with
serious peril.
Were this island comparatively destitute of in
habitants, or occupied by kindred race, should
regard it, if voluntarily ceded by Spain, as a most
desirable aequirition But, under existing circum-
stances should look upon its Incorporation into
our Union as very hazardous measure. II would
bring into the confederacy population OF
different national stock. speaking . different
language and not likely to harnonize with the
other members 1t would probably affect IN pre-
judicial manner the industrial interests Of thelSouth
and it might revive those conflicts OF opinion be-
tween the different sections Of the country, which
lately shook the Union TO its centre, and which have
been SO happily compromised.
The rejection by the Mexican Congress of the
convention which had been concluded between that
Republic and the United States, for the protection
of transit way the Isthmus Of Tehuantepec,
and OF the interests Of those citizens of the United
which Mexico had conferred on of her own citi-
sens in regard to that transit, has thrown serious
obstacle in the way Of the attainment of very de-
Erable national object. | am still willing to hope
may hereafter arise, between the governments viii
be amicsbly adjusted. This subject, however. has
already engaged the attention of the Senate Of the
United States, and requires no further comment in
this communication.
The settlement Of the question respecting the
port Of San Juan de Nicaragua, and of the contro-
versy between the republics Of Costa RIGA and Mica
ragua in regard to their boundaries, considered
Indispensable to the commencement of the ship
canal between the two oceans, which was tho sub.
ject of the Convention between the United States
and Great Britain, of the 10Th of April, 1850. Ac
sordirgly proposition for the same purpose ad-
to the Mosquito Indians, was agreed to in April
last by the Secretary Of State and the Minister of
her Britannia Majesty. Besides the wish to aid in
reconcilng the differences Of the two republics,
engaged in the negotiation from desire to place
the great work of ship canal between the tive
oceans under jurisdiction and to establish the
important port of San Juan de Nicaragua under the
government of a civilized power. The proposition
IN question was assented to by Costa RIGA and the
Mosquito Indians. 1t has not proved equally ac-
ceptable to Nicaragua, but 1t is to be hoped that
the further negotiations on the subject which in
train will be carried in that spirit of Cancellation
aHd compromise which ought always to prevail on
such occasions, and that they will lead to salts
factory result.
Ihaye the satisfaction to inform you that the ex-
ecutive government of Venezuela has ackne wledged
some claims of citizens Of the United States which
have for many years past been urged by our Charge
dAfaires at Caracas. 1t is hoped that the same
se9tf justice will actuate the Congress Of that
pubic In providing the means for their payment
The recent revolution in Buenos Ayres and the
confederated States having opened the prospect Of
an improved state of things in that quarter, the
governments of Great Britain and France deter
mined to negotiate with the chief of the confe-
deracy for the free access Of their to the
extensive countries watered by the tributaries of the
La Plata; and they gave a friendly notice of this
purpose to the United states. that We might, if We
thought proper, pursue the same course. In COM
pliance wi Ii this invitation, onr Minister at Rio
Janero, and our Charge d Affairs at Buenos Ayres,
have been fully authorized to conclude treaties with
the newly organized confederation, to the States
composing it The delays which have taken place
in the formation of the new government have yet
prevented the execution of those instructions; but
there is reason to hope that these vast coun
tries will be eventually opened to commerce.
treaty of commercs has been concluded between
the United States and the Oriental Republic of
Uruguay, which will be laid before the Senate.
Should this Convention go into operation, it will
open to the commercial enterprise of our citizens
country OF great extent and unsurpassed in natural
resources, but from which foreign nations have
hitherto been almost wholly excluded.
The correspondence Of the late Secretary of State
with the Peruvian Charge d'Aares, relative to the
Lobos Islands, communicated to Congress
towards the close OF the last session. Since that
time, on further investigation of the subject, the
doubts which had been entertained of the title of
Peru 20 those islands have been removed: and
have deemed it just that the temporary wrong
which bad been unistentionally done her, from
reservei acknowledgment Of her sovereignty.
/ have the satisfaction to inform you that the
course pursued by Peru has been creditable to the
hbeIality oil her government Before it was known
by her that her title would be acknowledged at
Washington, her Minister Of Foreign Affairs had
authorized our Charge d'Afaires at LIMA to
nounce to the American vessels which hal gone 10
the Lobos for guano, that the Peruvian government
Wal willing to freight them on It's own account
This Intention has been carried into effect by the
Peruvian Minister here, by arrangement which
is believed TO be advantageous to the parties in in
terest
Our settlements on the shores of the Pacific have
already given great extension, and in some re-
spects a new direction, to our commerce in that
ocean. direct AID rapidly increasing intercourse
has sprung up with Eastern Asia. The waters of
the Northern Pacific, even into the Arctic sea- have
of late years been frequented by our whalemen
The application of steam TO the general purposes Of
navigation is be coming daily moro common, and
makes il desirable to obtain fuel and other necessary
supplies at con7et lent points on the route between
Asis and our Pacific shores. Our unfortunate conn
trymen who from time to time suffer shipwreck
the coasts Ct the eastern seas, entitled to pro-
lection Besides these specific objects, the general
prosperity of States the Pacific requires
that attempt should be made to open the opposite
regions OF Asia to mutually beneficial intercourse
Ii Ia obvious that this attempt could be made by no
power to SO great advantage as by the United
States, whose constitutional system excludes every
idea of distant colonial dependencies I have az
cordipgiiy been led 70 order an appropriate naval
force to japan, upuer Tie eommana OF discreet
and intelligent officer Of the highest rank known
to our service. He is instructed to en1eavor
to obtain from the government Of that country
some relaxation Of the inhospitable and anti
social system which IL has pursued 10 a5ouss
two centuries. He has been directed particularly
TO demonstrate in the strongest language against
the cruel treatment to which our shpwrecked
mariners have often been subjected and TO insist
tina. they shall be treated with humanity. He is
instructed however, at the time, to give that
government the amplest that the objects
Of the United States are such aud su,h only as /
have indicated, and that the expedition is friendly
and peaceful. Notwithstanding the jealousy with
which the governments Of Eastern Asia regard all
overtures from foreigners, am not without hopes
of q beneficial result of the expedition. Should it
be crowned with succeFs, the advantages will not
be confined to the United States, but, as in the
case of China, will be equally enjoyed by all the
other maritime powers. | have much satisfaction
In stating that in all the steps preparatory to this