The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-13
= THE REPU BLIC.
COMMUNICATED
TehuaMtepeo Neg0tiatiOn-No. II.

discussing the project Of opening a way of inter
oceanic communication &C ross the Isthmus Of Te
huan'epsc 20 long as the writer's confined them
selves to demonstrating the great advantage
which must inure TO the whole world, especially I,
the United States, from tae completion of th
work, all has gone on very well. This 10 a subjec
in which the imag nation has room TO expand, ant
in which perspective of greatness and prosperit,
may be laid open with abundant data, and many
columns filled, as has been recently done by hin
who, under the signature of Americus, has writer
long article on this subject, published in tn,
Republic Of the 4th instant. As no one contests
nor has yet denied, the immense results of an en-
terprise Of this nature which have been SO repeat
edly stated, it is scarcely worth while to discus
this point; but the other assertions with which un
der of that 1t is intended to misead the pub
lie mind deserve consideration.
To studious man who observes and justly r ca
sons, it is sufficient merely to compare the various
writings on this subject, in order to discover i'm
mediately on which side is reason and justice but
for the generality Of readers this task 10 not posi-
bic; 1t is necessary that the lover OF truth under.
take and present it completely accomplished: such
is the object OF the present article.
Those who look upon all men as members of the
same family, and do not limit their desires and
feelings to a narrow circle, will always observe
with pleasure the lcit measures which are being
carried into practice to better the condition Of ma
tons, and in ths manner to attain the great object
OF the social state. No doubts that facility OF
communication, mercantile intercourse, and useful
enterprises, powerfully contribute to this end; and
no one can fail to eulogize not only the idea OF
crossing the vast territory Of this nation with rail
roads, as is now being done in great degree. but
communication within it, such as that which will
cross California, and unite the other parts Of the
Union with the possessions acquired upon the Pa
clc, opening at the same time the ports Of India to
the dangers and inconveniencies which now attend
it, carried on by ways heretofore known.
There is, therefore, no reason to nourish suspi
cions that this may meet with invincible obsta.
has only aspired to the pacific and regular cxer.
else OF the rights which are competent to her within
her own territory, without creating difficulties Of
any kind to her neighbors. The undersigned words
conceal any Interior view or intention unfavorable
to the United States. 1t 10 only the precaution
with which nation acts, where her territory is
concerned, in order to it's preservation and sccur.
dlsmember ments Of very considerable portions
thereof which she held in possession for many
years with an indisputable title.
In proof, however, that Mexico did not refuse to
coucede the advantages which might resuIt from
facilitating communications at those points, the
only thing she reserved that which, by the law
OF nations, all nations have right to do, namely
that transit by land should not be made without
torial sovereignty which every nation exercises,
and which must be respected, The same is plainly
indicated by the provisions in regard to the con.
s:ruction by the two republics of n road, canal. or
out to be practicable and advantageous,) in
whole or in part. upon the ella upon any
Of it's shores. This reservation was based on the
same principles, and on those which regulate the
is nothing in this to cause suspicion, premature
alarm, or apprehension Of nesse, nor 10 there any
sinister object, as has been attempted to be shown
in the article above referred TO. Mexico merely
sible. If, therefore, the possibility and ad.
vantage should be demonstrated. there is no
reason to apprehend that the sigh article
would fail OF being carried into effect, whatever
through the Isthmus Of Tehuantepec, or any other
The unfavorable aspect through which, in the
greater part of the articles published here upon
this subject, every thing presented in regard to
and then the individual interest appears
badly disguised, and speaks in 80 partial
tone, presenting but side of the question; and
such strong imputatons are made against the au
thortics Of the neighbor Republic, that any one
can discover at glance that there 10 not Impair
TALLY, and that what 10 thus expressed cannot
serve rule to form an exact opinion, free from
injustice. Therefore it il that, in treating on
pOlnt, mas Deen OlTeCteO 10 Inc Qlt-
culties which have been experienced by the Uni, ed
States in their intercourse with their provinces
the Pacific. 1t is asserted that robberies and ex
actions prevent a passage through other parts Of
the territory Of Mexico, without it being taken
into consideration that numerous parties Of emf
grants, before any way of communication had
been opened, have preferred the transit by land,
without meeting with those robteries and exac q.
mama, and the other project of Nicaragua, which
have been not only the subjects Of reflection and
of simple surveys, but at least in respect to the
former, the works are very far advanced and con-
order that it may be that in treating on these
points, more 10 said than may answer the object
proposed by the writer
We have carefully read every thing that has been
recently written upon the subject Of Tehua
among other productions, the first article OF him
who signs himself "Americus"-and we have not
discovered that in any part thereof it has been de
inonstrated that the title upon which the presen
and has not been annulied by competent authority
We say ths, because in the second article all this
is taken for granted. What we have seen is that
the only points which attracted attention were an
swered in q manner which has called forth no re
jonder; can it do 90, because the answer rests
upon certain facts and authentic and irrefa gable
data.
We propose TO continue analysis Of the other
points contained in this second article, following
the disorder and confusion in which the points
stated therein dispersed and repeated in vari
Gus parts, without making them occupy their pro-
per position in the question: and without folio wing
method and logical order which greatly contri
butte to clearness.
The decree of the l4tb May, 1852, (Which is cited,
az if mention had been made Of 1t before \ was
issued in the exercise Of the rights and preroga
tives which Mexico enjoys as a nation, and which
cannot be questioned, That decree, which was In
tended to Establish the Fundamental bases of the
object to which it refers, contains some provisions
of great importance.
II provided that way of inter oceanic commu.
nication might be opened through the isthmus OF
Tehuantepeci and thus tho consent Of the nation
| to whom that territory belongs was obtained, a
consent without which no enterprise could be car
red into effect since it is not territory without
an owner, abandoned to the fret person Who ma v
choose to occupy 1t, but an intc1ra,, part of the
:n1a NePuoue: "..n a title Of ownership &C
that in order to destroy it, 1t will be
necessary first TO trample upon the principles Of
the law OF nations, and cast doubt over the do
minion which other nations posscss in their respcc.
tive territories, intimately laced with the right
of their own preservation and security.
II provided, also, that the opening shall be cf.
fected by the government making q contract, or
promoting the formation Of a company of Mcxi.
cane, TO whom It justly gives the preference, that
has N his NV ntrvN If E,ra