Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07


lime of his seizure, he was clothed with the
Iionality of the United States; and that the acts
OF our officers, under the circumstances OF the
case, were justfable. and their conduct has been
fully approved by me, and compliance with the
several demands of the emperor OF Austria has
been declined.
For a more full account of this transaction and
my views in regard 10 it, | refer 10 the cores
pondence between the charge daiialrs OF Austria
and the Secretary of State which IS herewith
transmitted. The principles and policy therein
maintained on the part of the United States, will,
whenever proper occasion occurs, be applied
and enforced.
The condition Of China at this time renders il
probable that some important changes will occur in
that vast empire, which will lead TO a more unre-
sricted intercourse with il. The commissioner
to that country, who has been recently appointed,
is instructed 10 avail himself Of all occasions 10
open and extend our commercial relations, not
only with the empire of China, but with other
Asiatic nations.
In 1852, an expedition was sent 10 Japan, under
the command OF Commodore Perry, for the pur-
pose OF opening commercial intercourse with that
island. Intelligence has been received of his ar
rival there, and of his having made known 10 the
emperor OF Japan the object of his visit but it is
not yet ascertaned how far the emperor will be
disposed to abandon his restrictive policy, and
open that populous country to a commercial inter-
course with the United States.
Ii has been my earnest desire TO maintain friend
ly intercourse with the governments upon this con-
tinent and TO aid them in preserving good under
standing among themselves. With Mexico, dis
pute has arisen as 10 the true boundary line be-
tween our territory of New Mexico and the Mexi-
can State OF Chihuahua. former commissioner
of the United States, employed in running that line
pursuant TO the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo, made
a serious mistake in determining the initial point
on the Rio Grande; but nasmuch his decision
clearly departure from the directions for ira
,l-
not concurred in by the surveyor appointed on the
part of the United States, whose concurrence was
necessary give validity TO that decision this GO
vernmenl is not concluded thereby; but that of
Mexico takes different view of the subject.
There are also other questions of considerable
magnitude pending between the two republics
Our minister in Mexico has ample instructions TO
adjust them. Negotiations have been opened, but
sufficient progress has not been made therein TO
enable me 10 speak of the probable result In
pressed with the Importance of maintaining ami
.able relations with that republic. and of yielding
with iberality to all her just claims il is reasonable
TO expect that an arrangement mutually satisfac-
tory TO both countries may be concluded, and a
lasting friendship between them confirmed and
perpetuated.
Congress having provided for full mission TO
the States of Central America, minister was sent
thither in July last. As yet he has had time TO
visit only one of these States, (Nicaragua0 where
he was received in the most friendly manner. Ii
is hoped that his presence and good Offices will
have benign effect in composing the dssenslons
which prevail among them, and in establishing still
more intimate and friendly relations between them
respectively, and between each of them and the
United States.
Considering the vast regions Of this continent, and
the number of States which would be made acces-
sble by the free navigation of the river Amazon,
particular attention has been given 10 this subject
Brazil, through whose territories il passes into the
n IA ne fnI in n mol
tive. IN regard 10 the use of this river, as TO OBJ
struct, and nearly exclude, foreign commercial in
tercourse with the States which lie upon its lribu-
taries and upper branches. Our minister 10 that
country IS instructed to obtain a relaxation of that
policy and TO use his efforts TO induce the Brazil
ian government 10 open 10 common use under
proper safeguards, this great national highway for
trade. Several of the South Amer-
can States are deeply interested in this attempt to
secure the free navigation of the Amazon, and il
is reasonable to expect their cooperation in the
measure As the advantages of free commercial
intercourse among nations better understood
more liberal views are generally entertained as TO
the common rights of all 10 the free use of those
means which nature has provided for international
communication. To these more liberal and en-
lghtened views, II is hoped that Brazil will con-
form her policy, and remove all unnecessary re-
strictions upon the free of a river which ira
verses so many States and so large a part of
the continent. am happy TO inform you that the
republic Of Paraguay and the Argentine Confed-
Grafton have yielded TO the liberal policy still re-
sisted by Brazil, in regard to the navigabe rivers
within their respective territories. Treaties en-
bracing this subject among others have been ne
gouated with these governments, which will be
submitted 10 the Senate at the present session.
new branch OF commerce. important TO the
agricultural interests of the United States, has
within few years past, been opened with Peru.
the neNhaustible deposits Of
guano upon the islands of that country, conside-
rable difficulties are experienced in obtaining the
requisite supply. Measures have been taken 10
remove these difficulties, and to secure more
abundant importation of the article. Tnfortli-
nately, there has been a serious collision between
our citizens, who have resored TO the Chincha
islands for II, and the Peruvian authorities sta
toned there Redress for the outrages committed
by the latter, was promptly demanded by our min
lister al Lama. This subject is now under consid-
Grafton, and there Is reason TO believe that Peru
is disposed TO offer adequate indemnity 10 the ag-
grieved parties.
We are thus not only at peace with all foreign
countries but in regard to political affairs are ex-
empt from any cause of serious dsquietude in
our domestic relations
The controversies, which have agitated the
country heretofore, are passing away with the
causes which produced them and the passions
which they had awakened or. if any trace of
them remains II may be reasonably hoped that il
VIII only be perceived in the jealous rivalry of all
of the States, their devotion TO the Union and
their common determination that each one Of the
States, its institutions its welfare and its domes-
tic peace shall be held alike secure under the
sacred rgis of the Constitution
This new league Of amity and Of mutual conf
dence and support into which the people of the
republic have entered, happily affords inducement
and opportunity for the adoption of a more com
prehensive and unembarrassed line of policy and
action, as 10 the great material interests of the
country, whether regarded in themselves or in
connection with the powers Of the civilized
world
The United States have continued gradually
and steadily 10 expand through acquisitions ofteri-
tory, which, how much soever some of them may
have been questioned, are now universally seen
and admitted TO have been wise in policy, just in
character, and great element in the advance
ment of our country. and, with it, of the human
race, in freedom, in prosperity, and in happiness.
The thirteen States have grown TO be thrty-one,
with relations reaching TO Europe on the one side,
and on the other to the distant realms OF Asia.
! am deeply sensible of the immense RESPONSE
bility which the present magnitude of the repub-
nc and the diversity and multiplicity Of its inter
ests devoives upon me; the alleviaton of which
so lar as relates to the immediate conduct of the
pubic business Is, first. in my reliance on the wis
dom and patriotism of the two houses Of Congress;
and secondly, IN the directions afforded me by the