Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-12-13

presence and good Offices will have a
benign effect in composing the dlssen.
sions which prevail among them, and in
establishing still more intimate and
friendly relations between them ,espec.
lively, and between each Of ttem, and
the United States. .
Considering the vast regions Of this
Continent, and the number Of States
which would be made, accessible by the
free navigation Of the river Amazon,
particular attention has been given to
this subject. Brazil, through whose ter
ritories il passes into the ocean, has
hitherto persisted in a policy SO restric.
tive, in regard to the use Of this river,
as 10 obstruct, and nearly exclude for.
eisn commercial intercourse with the
states which lie upon its tributaries and
upper branches. Our Minister TO that
country is instructed 10 obtain a relaxa.
,ion Of the policy, and TO use mis- efforts
to inluce the Brazilian government TO
open to common use, nnder proper safe.
guatls, this great highway for interna.
lional trade. Several of the South
American States are deeply interested
in this attempt 10 secure the free navi.
CATION of the Amazon, and it is reason.
able 10 expect :heir cooperation in the
measure. As the advantages Of free
commercial intercourse among nations
arc better understood more liberal views
are generally entertained as to the com.
mon right of all TO the free use Of those
means which nature has provided for in.
ternatonal communication.
To these more l,bera! and cnligh,en
ed views, 1t is hoped that Brazil will
,onorm her policy, and remove all un'
necessary restrictions upon the free use
of a river. which traverses so man!
states and so large part Of the conli'
nen,. | am happy TO inform you that
the republic of Praguay and tho Argcn.
tine Confederation have vi llel to the
liberal policy still resisted by B'l zil, in
regard TO the navigable rivers within
their respective territories. Treaties
embracing this subject among oskefs
have been negotiated with their govern.
men,s, which will be submitted to the
Senate at the present session.
A new branch Of commerce, impor
, rant to agricultural interests of the United
y States, has within a few years past, been
u opened with Peru. Notwilhs.andin!
u the inexhaustible deposits Of snano upor
: the islands Of that conntry, consilera
:. bic difficulties are experienced in obtain
u ing the requisite supply. Measure
:. have been taken to remove these dllh
y cullics, and 10 secure q more abun lau
- Importation ofthe article. Unfortunate
y ly, there has bean serious collision be
j. tween our citizens, who have resotel Il
> the Chincha islands for it. and Peruvian
: authorities stationed there. Redress 10
70 the oulrages, committed by the latter
was promptly demanded by our miuiste
at Lima. This subject is now unde
conslle alton, ami there is reason to be
&c " ieve that Peru is disposed to offer ale
+ T. qna,e indemnify to The aggrieved partie
+" We are thus not only al peace wit
r. ~ all foreign countries, but in resarl t
- ~ political affairs, are exempt from an
r cause of serious disquc,ule in our dc
= mes,ic relations.
The controversies which have agitated II
c, country heretofore. are passing away with Il
nj causes which produced them and the passion
q which they had awakened; or, if any trace
, them remains, it may be re asonably hoped tn
- i. will only be perceived in the Jealous rival
ef Of all good cit zens to testify their respect for
ly rights ofthc States, their devotion to the Unlo
IF ar their commOh determination that each OF
,r of the States, its institutions, its welfare, al
its domestic peace shall be held alike secure
.o de- the sacred nsis Of the constitution.
nc This new league Of amity and ofmutual CO
f,,cnce and support, into which the people
10 the republic have entered, happily affords i
y. ducem.nts and opportunity for the adoption
more comprehensive and unembarrassed lii
w of policy and act on, as 10 the great material
nd teres,s of the country. whether regarded
MS themselves or in connexion with the powers
H.. the civilized world
l. The United States have continued gradaa
w. aud steadily to expand, through acquisitions
cr' territory, which, how much soever some
is. them may have been questioned, are now VI
70 versally seen and admitted to have been wise
, policy, Just in character, and great element
the advancement of our country, and, with
GU oil the human race, in freedom, in prosperi
and IN happiness The thirteen States ha
in grown to be thirty.one, with relations reachi
40. to Europe on the one side, and on the other
=. the distant realms Of Asia
a'd am deeply sensible Of the immense respc
ng sib !ity which the present magnitude Of
a r.publc, aud the diversity and multiplicity
a. its interests, devolveS up)n me, the alleviate
- of which, so far as relates to the imred
ew conduct of the public business is, first, in
hi. reliance on the wisdom and patriotism OF
two Houses of C,nyress; and, secondly, in