Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-12-19

Japan, under the command OF Commo-
dore Perry, for the purl ose of opening
commercial intercourse with that En-
pire. Intelligence has bsen received of
his arrival there, and of his having made
known to the Emperor of Japan the OBJ
ject of his visit, but it is not yet ascer-
tanned how far the Emperor will be dis
posed to abandon his restrictive lolicy
and open that populous country to a COM
mercial intercourse with the United
States. 1t has been my earnest desire
TO maintain friendly intercourse with the
governments upon this Continent and
to aid them in preserving an understand
ing among themselves. With Mexico, a
dispute has arisen as to the true boun-
dairy of New Mexico and the Mexican
State of Chihuahua. A former Com
missioner, pursuant to the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo, made serious
mistake in determining the initial point
on the Rio Grande, but inasfnuch as his
decision was clearly departure from
the directions for tracing the boundary,
contained in that treaty, and was not
concurred in by the survey appointed
on the part of the U. States, whose con-
currence was necessary to give validity
to that decision, this government is not
concluded thereby, but that of Mexico
takes different view of the subject
There are also other questions of con-
siderable magnitude pending between
the Republics. Our minister i'll Next
co,has ample instructions to adjust them.
Negotiations have been opened, but suf-
ticient progress hos not been made
therein to enable me to speak of the pro-
bable result.
Impressed with the importance of
maintaining amicable relations with that
republic and yielding with liberality to
all Just claims, and it is reasonable to
expect that an arrangement mutually
satisfactory to both countries May be
concluded, and lasting friendship be-
tween them confirmed and perpetuatcd.
Congress having provided for full
mission to the states of Central Ameri-
ca, minister was sent thither in July
last. As yet he has had time to visit
only one of these states, Nicaraugua,
where he was received in the most
friendly manner. It is hoped that his
presence and good offices VIII have be-
nign effect in composing dissensions
which prevail among them; IN estab-
fishing still more intimate and friendly
relations between them respectively,
and between each Of them and the Uni
ted States. Considering the vast re-
gions Of this continent and the states
which would be made accessible by the
free navigation Of the river Amazon,
particular attention has been given to
the subject. Brazil thro' whose terrific
ries it passes into the Ocean, has hither-
to persisted in a policy SO restricted ia
regard to the use of this river, as TO OBJ
struct and nearly exclude foreign COM
Inercial intercourse with the States
which lie upon its tributaries and upper
branches, and our minister to that coun-
try is instructed to obtain relaxation
of the policy, and to use his efforts to
induce the Brazilian Government to open
to commerce, under proper safeguards,
this great natural highway for interna-
tional trade.
Several Of the South American States
are deeply interested in this attempt to
secure the free navigation of the ANA
zon, and it is reasonable to expect their
cooperation in the measure, as the ad-
vantages of free commercial intercourse
among nations are better understood, and
the common rights of all to the free use
of the means which nature has provided
for international communication. To
these more liberal and enlightened views
it is hoped that Brazil will conform in
her policy and remove all unnecessary
restrictions upon the free use Of river
which traverses as many States and so
large portion Of the Continent.
4 am happy to inform you that the
Republic of Paraguay aud the Argen-
tine Confederation laws have yielded to
this liberal policy, tho still obstructed
by Brazil in regard to navigable rivers
within their respective territories
Treaties embracing this subject among
others, have been negotiated with these
Governments, which will be submitted
to Senate at the present session.
/ A new branch Of commerce impor-
tant to the Agricultural interest of the
United States has, within a few years
past, been opened with Peru. Notwith-
standing the ;nsxhaustible deposits Of
Guano upon the islands of that country,
considerable difficulties have been en-
ccuntered in securing more abundant
II, por.ation of the article. Unfortunate
~ th.,re has been serious collision be-
tween ou.. citizens, whe have resorted
TO the Chinchs Islands for it, and PERU
Wan authorities stationed there. he
dress for the outrages committed by the
latter was promptly demanded ey our
Minister at Lima. The subJset IS new
under consideration and there is reason
to believe that Peru is disposed to cos
clude adequate indemnity to aggrieved
parties. We are thus not only at peace
with all foreign countries, but in regard
10 political affairs, are exempt from any
cause of serious disquiet.
In our domestic relations The contro-
yersies which have asitated the country
heretofore. are passing away, wlth the
causes which produced them, and the
..,h;of, thew hays awakened !: