Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-19
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
NICARAGUA INTER-ocEANIc CANAL.


The ubioined interesting Message from the Pre-
sident of the United States was laid before the
House of Representatives yesterday and referred 10
the Committee on Foreign Affairs:
wAsHIsoroS, FEBRUARY ls, 1858.
10 The Senate and House Of Representatives
transmit report from the Secretary OF State, en-
bodyng the substance Of communications made by
the Minister Of her Britannia Majesty to the Department
Of State on subject Of the eroceanlc canal by the
Nicaragua route which formed the chief object OF the
treaty between United States and Great Britain Of 18th
Apr 1856; and the relations of Great Britain to the
Of Mosquito which she expresses herself de-
srous of renqushing terms consistent with her hon
erable engagements to the Indians of that name
In consequence of these Communications, and ether
considerations stated in the report is deemed advisable
by the Department that diplomatic relations with the
States Of Central America should be placed higher
and more efficient footing and this measure meets my
appreciation The whole subject is one Of much deli
cacy and Importance, that should have preferred so
the close Of my Administration, not TO make the
subject Of Executive communication But inasmuch
as the proposed cannot if~deemed expe-
dent by my successor take effect for welvemonth
unless appropriation is made by ths Congress, have
thought it my duty 10 submit the report Of the Depart
ment the two houses. The Importance Of the measure
seemed 10 III VI
grounds which il is recommended.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 10, 1858.
10th President Of The Unitsd States
SIR: Recent Communications have been made to this
Department by British Minister relative the affairs
of Central America, of which deem II my duty to re-
port TO you the substance
may first be proper observe that the relations of
the United States with of the States of Central
America have of late assumed Importance wholly
out of proportion the political consequence of those
small Republics, the extent of commercial inter-
course with them which considerable This Importance
grows chiefly of the fact that of the advan
tageous of neroceanc communication lies through
this region The public policy of the United States pre-
few objects at the present day of equal interest
with direct expeditions and economical line of inter
between Atlantic coast and the members o.
the Union the Pacific.
1t mainly to effect this object that the treaty o.
10Th April, 1850 was negotiated between the United
States and Great Britain BY this treaty the high
tracing parties bound themselves their influence
with any State, States Governments possessing or
claiming possess any jurisdiction right the ter
ritory which the proposed ship canal may traverse
which shall be the waters applicable thereto, in
der to induce such States Governments to facilitate the
construction thereof by every in their power and
they also agreed to their good Offices, wherever
it may be most expedient in order to procure
the establishment Of free ports, each end of
the canal
1t was also stipulated by the treaty of 10Th April
1850 that if any differences should arise to right or
property the territory through which the said canal
shall pass between the States Governments Of Central
America and such differences should in any way impede
obruct the execution Of said canal the Governments
of the United States and Great Britain would their
good Offices settle such difference. in the best
suited to promote the interests of the said canal
In execution Of this stipulation certain propositions
agreed upon by this Department and the British
Minister in the month of April last having for their OBJ
ec settle the territorial controversies which existed
between the States and Governments bordering the
line of the canal These terms Of settlement assent
ed by Costa Rica but did prove acceptable Nj
caragua.
making these propositions the States interested
and in all the negotiations carried by this Government
the only object has been to secure as far as P0ssss the
State in order preclude the evils likely to arise
from its passing through than jurisdiction and
TO exercise the influence and mediation Of the United
States which had been invoked by the parties in conro-
yersy, in the best calculated to promote their
respective interests.
The conflicting claims of Great Britain and Nicaragua
with reference TO Mosquito, among the difficulties
which embarrass this subject These difficulties arise
principally from the fact that the port Of San Juan del
Norte the eastern outlet Of the canal s claimed belong
to the Mosquito territory BY the first article of the
treaty Of April 10 1885, the parties agree that neither
the other will erect or maintain any forti
fcston commanding the canal in the vicinity thereof
OF occupy fortify coonze, assume or exercise
any dominion Nicaragua, Costa Rca the MOSQUITO
coast any part Of Central America But the relations
Of Great Britain to Mosquito and the Mosquito Indians
whom she claims have exercised protectorate for
long Of years remained under this treaty
what ndeterminate The port Of San Juan del Nore to
which the Of Greytown has been given by Great
Britain though claimed within the limits Of this pro-
tecorate has for about year been really governed in
the Of the ttuar King Of Mosquito by committee
Of FIVE American citizens chosen by the people. Mica
ragua claims the rghtul sovereignty this port from
which her authorities were after brief possession eject
ed by British force in January, lS4S) and over the
whole Mosquito region; Of which, however il Is main
tanned by Great Britain that Nicaragua any time
had possession.
Information has lately been received at this Department
pany which had contracted build ship canal across
the sthmus Of Nicaragua having found il impossible
carry out the plan originally contemplated has
TO propose TO the Government Of Nicaragua modification
OF that pan with the view Of constructing canal OF
smaller dimensions than those specified in their contract
and the British Minister has been instructed to intimate
10 this Department that if this information should prove
correct her Majesty Government would feel
at liberty under the 9TH article Of the treaty Of 9th al
April, $780, TO withdraw their protection from that com
pany, and to transfer IL to other company which
should undertake canal the original plan IL being
deemed Of the utmost importance by the British Govern
nent that the great conception Of ineroceanic canal
adapted the accommodation Of the vessels OF the whole
commercial world should dwindle down to an ordna
~ transit for coastng vessels which TO distant ma
tons would be comparatively destitute Of value.
The British Minister has also been instructed to spn
~ to this Department that since Great Britain first as
sumed the protection and defence Of the Mosquito In
"A, a.. IL. l.da