Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-11

the prisoner, dsavowal of the acts of its agents
and satisfaction for the alleged outrage After |
Reconsideration OF tie case came to the con-
clusion that koszia was seized without legal authot-
ity atSmSrns; that he was wrongially detained on |
board the Austrian big al war; that, at the TINE
Of .is seizure, be clothed with the nationality
OF the United States and that tie acts Of our DILL
eers under the circumstances of the case, were I
justiiisbe, and their Conduct has been fully APP |
proved by me- and compliance with tie several 4
demands OF the Emperor of Austria has been de- /
clDed.
For more full account of this transaction and
my views IN regard toit refer to the correspon-
dence between The charge da1faires OF Austria and
the Secretary Of State which is herewith transmit
ted. 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 it
probable that some important changes will occur
in that vast empire which will lead to the more I'M
restricted intercourse win it,. The commissioner
to that country, who has been recently appointed,
is instructed TO avail himself Of all occasions TO op-
en- and extend our commercial relations, not only
with the Empire of China, bat with other Aslatic
nations. .--.. d. f.ssr
In 1852 an expedition was sent to Japan, under
the command of Commodore Perry, for the pur-
pose Of opening commercial intercourse with that
island. Intelligence has been received OF his arr
val there and OF his having made known to the I'm
peror of Japan the object Of his VISIT but 1t Is not
! yet ascertaned how far the Emperor will be dis
| posed TO abandon his restrictive policy and open
that populous country to a commercial intercourse
/ with the United States.
1t has been my earnest desire to maintain friend
y 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 to the true boundary line be-
tween our territory of New Mexico and the Next
| can State of chihuahua A former commissioner
OF the United States, employed in running that line
| pursuant TO the treaty of Guadalupe HidalgD made
serious mistake in determining the initial point
| the Rio Grande; but inasmuch as his decision was
clearly departure from the directions for tracing
the boundary contained in that treaty and was not
concurred in by the surveyor appointed the part
of the United States, whose concurrence was nee
essary TO give validity to that decision, this govern
ment 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 en-
able me to speak of the probable result Impressed
with the importance of maintaining amicable rela-
tons with that republic and Of yielding with libe-
ralty to ali her just claims it is reasonable TO ex-
pect that an arrangement mutually satisfactory to
both countries may be concluded, and lasting
friendship between them confirmed and perpetual
ed.
Congress having provided for full mission to
the States of Central America, a minister was
was sent thither in July last. As yet he has had
time to visit only of these States (Nicaragua)
where he was received in the most friendly man
ner. 1t ishoped that his presence and good Offices
will have benign effect in composing the dissen-
tons which prevail among then, and in establish
H., l.
tween 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
accessible by the free navigation of the river Am
AEON, particular attention has been given to this
subject. Br0zil, through whose territories it pas
ses into the ocean, has hitherto persisted in po-
Hcy so restrictive in regard to the Use of the river
as to Obstruct, and nearly exclude, foreign COM
mercial intercourse with the States which lie upon
its tributaries and upper branches. Our minister
to that country is instructed to obtain relaxation
of that policy, and to his efforts to induce the
Brazilian go serDment to open to common use, un-
der proper safeguards, this great natural highway
for international trade. Several of the South
American States are deeply interested in this at
tempt to secure the free navigation of the ANA
zon and is reasonable to expect their cooperation
in this measure. As the advantages of free COM
mercial intercourse among nations are better un-
derstood, more liberal views are generally enter
| tanned as to the common rights of all to the
free use of those means which nature has provi-
ded for international communication. To these
more liberal and enlightened views, it is hoped
| that Brazil will conform her policy, and remove
all unnecessary restrictions upon tie free use of
river which traverses so many States and so large
part of the continent. / am happy to inform
you that the republic of Paraguay and the Argen-
tine Confederation have yielded to the liberal po-
Icy still resisted by Brazil in regard to the navi-
gable rivers within their respective territories
Treaties embracing this subject among others
have been negotiated with these governments,
which will be submitted to the Senate at the pre-
sent session. .-.. .-.
new branch of commerce, important to the
agricultural interests of the United States, has,
| within a few years past, been opened with Peru.
! Notwithstanding the inexhaustible deposits of
guano upon the islands of that country, considera-
! bic difficulties are experienced in obtaining the re-
| quiste supply. Measures have been taken to re-
| move these difficulties, and to secure more
abundant importation of the article. Unfortun-
| ately, there has been serious collision between
our citizens, who have resOrted to the Chncha
Islands for it. and the Peruvian authorities station
/ ed there. Redress for the outrages committed by
! the latter, was promptly demanded by our minis
| ter at Lima. This subject is now under consider
! alton, and there is rearon to believe that Peru is
disposed TO offer adequate indemnity to the ag-
| grieved parties.
We are thus not only at peace with all foreign
countries bat, in regard to political affairs are ex-
empt from any cause of serious disquietude in our
domestic relations.
The controversies which have agitated the coun-
try heretofore, are passing away with the causes
which produced them, and the passions which they
had awakened; or, if any trace of them remains,
if may be reasonably hoped that it will only be
perceived in the Jealous rivalry of all good citizens
to testify their respect for the rights of the States
| their devotion TO the Union, and their common de-
termination that each of the States, its usti-
tutions, its welfare, and its domestic peace, shall
be held alike secure under the sacred egs 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 more COM
prehensive and unembarrassed line of policy and
action, as to the great material interests of the
country, whether regarded in themselves, or in
nection with the powers of the civilized world.
The U. S. havecontinued gradually and steadily
to expand, through acquisitions of territory, which,
! how muchsoever some of them may have been
| questioned are universally seen and admitted
tohave been wise in policy just in character, and
great element in the advancement of our coun-