Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-16
VOL. VII.


measure would be of doubtful constituiionality
impolltlc, and unavaiing. 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 con-
lrary, should regard its incorporation into the
Union al the present time as fIsaght with Sc
rious peril.
Were this island comparatively destitute OF
inhabitants, or occupied by kindred Iace,
should regard 1t, if voluntarily ceded by Spain,
as most desirable acquisition. But, under
existing circumstances, should look upon its
Incorporation into our Union as a very hazard
GUS measure. 1t would bring into the confed-
eracy population of a different national stock.
speaking different language, and not likely to
harmonlze with the other members. 1t would
probably affect in prejudicial manner the in
dustrial interests of the South and it might
revive those conflicts of opinion between 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 be-
tween that Republic and the United States, for
| the protection of transit way across the 18TH
mus of Tehuartepec and of the interests of
those citizens of the United States who had be-
come prOprietors of the rights which Mexico
had conferred on one of her own citizens in re-
gard TO that transit, has thrown serious obsta-
Gle in the way of the attainment of very de-
sirable national object. ain still willing to
hope that the differences on the subject which
exist, ur may hereafter arise, between the gov
ernments, will be amicably adjusted. THIS
subject, however, has already engaged the al
ten,ion of the Senate of the United States, and
requires no further comment in this communi-
| cation
The settlement of the question respecting the
port of San Juan de Nicaragua, and of the con-
troversy between the republics of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua in regard to their boundaries,
was considered indispensable 10 the commence
ment of the ship canal between the two oceans,
which was the subject of the Convention be-
tween the United States and Great Britain of
the 18th of April, 1850. Accordingly prop
ositon for the same purposes addressed to the
two governments in that quarter, and 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 reconclllng the differences of the two re-
pnblics, engaged in the negotiation from a
desire to place the great work of ship canal
| between the two oceans under one Jurisdiction,
and to establish the important port of San Juan
de Nicaragua under the government Of civil
lied power. The proposition in question was
assented to by Custa Rica and the Mosquito In
diahs. 1t has not proved equally acceptable to
Nicaragua, but is 10 be hoped that the further
! negotiations on the subject which are in train
will be carried on in that spirit of Cancellation
and compromise which ought always to prevail
| Inpc oh Il a..
satisfactory result.
have the satisfaction to inform you that the
executive government of Venezuela has ac-
knowledged some claims Of citizens of the Uni
| ted States, which have for many years past
been urged by our charge d'affares at Carac-
cas-. Ii is hoped that the same sense vi jus
tce will aclnate the Congress of that Re-
public in providing the means for their pay
ment.
The recent revolution in Buenos Ayres and
the confederated States having opened the pros
pect of an improved state of things in that
quarter, the governments of Great Britain and
| France determined to negotiate with the chief
of the new Confederacy for the free access OF
| their commerce to the extensive countries wa
tered by the tributaries of the La Plata and
they gave friendly notice of this purpose tc
the United States, that we might if we thought
proper pursue the same course. In compl.
ance with this invitation, our minister at Rit
Janero and our charge daffairs at Buenos
Ayres have been fully authorized TO conclude
treaties with the newly organized Confedera.
tion, or the States composing it. The delays
which have taken place in the formation of the
new government have as yet prevented the ex
ecutlon of those Instructions; but there is eve
ry reason to hope that these vast countries will
be eventually opened TO our commerce.
A treaty of commerce has been concluded
between the United States and the Orienta
Republic of Uruguay, which will be laid be
fore the Senate Should this Convention ge
into operation, it will open TO the Commercial
enterprise of our citizens country of great ex
tent and unsurpassed in natural resources, bu
from which foreign nations have hitherto beef
almost wholly excluded.
The correspondence of the late Secretary o
State with the Peruvian charge daffairs rela
tive 10 the Lobos Islands was communicated II
Congress toward the close of the last session
Since that time, on further investigation of ih
subject, the doubts which have been entertane,
of the title of Peru 10 those Islands have beer
removed and | have deemed it just that tht
temporary wrong which had been nnintention
ally done her, from want OF information, shoult
NC IepdlIcu uy oil uHiCoSA'Ou
of her sovereignty.
have the satisfaction to inform you that
the course pursued by Peru has heen credit
able to the liberality of her government
Before it was known by her that her title
would he acknowledged ut Washington, he
Minister OF Foreign Affairs had auhorze'
our charge d'affaIrs al Lima to announce t.
the American vessels which had gone 20 the
Lobos for guano, that the Peruvian Govern
ment was willing TO freight them on its owl
account. This intention has been carried
into effect by the Peruvian Minister here, b.
an arrangement which is believed 10 be ad
vanisgeous to the parties in interest.
| Our settlements on the shores of The Paclf
Ic have already given great extension, ant
III some respects new direction, To ou
commerce in that ocean. A direct and rap
idly increasing intercourse has sprung up II
Eastern ASA. The waters OF tile Northern
Pacifir, even into the Arctic sea, have of LAT
years been irequenled by our wIalernen.- :
The application Of steam 10 the general pur
poses Of navigation is becoming daily NOR
common, aud makes il desirable 10 Obtail
fuel and other necessary supplies al conve
nlent points Oh the route between Asia an,
our Pacific shores. Our unfortunate coun
trymen who from time to lime suffer ship
wreck on lie coasts of The Eastern seas ar
entitled TO protection. Besides these specifi
objects, the general prosperity of our Stale
on the Pacific requires that an attempt shoul,
he made to open the opposite regions of ASH
70 mutually beneficial intercourse. II
ocVious that This attempt could be made b
no power 10 SO great advantage as by tn