Washington telegraph., 1854-12-27

IN former message and considering the
cordial relations which have long existed
between this government and Brazil, It
may be expected that pending negotiations
will. eventually reach favorable result
Convenient means of transit, between
the several parts of country, are not only
desirable for objects Of commercial and per-
sonal communication, but essential to its ex-
istence under one government. Separated
as are the Atlantic and Pacific coasts Of the
United States BY the whole breadth Of the
continent, still the inhabitants Of each are
closely bound together by community of or
igin and institutions. and by strong attach
ment to the Union Hence the constant
and increasing intercourse. and vast inter-
change Of commercial productions. between
these remote divisions Of the Republic
at the present time. the most practicable
and only commodlous routes for communica-
tion between them are BY the way of the
lsthmus Of Central America. l. is the du-
ty Of the government to secure these ave-
nucs against all danger Of interruption.
In relation to Central America perplex-
ing questions existed between the United
1T
cession Of California. These as well ns
questions which subsequently arose concern
ing inter-occanic communication across the
/ lsthmus, were. a. it was supposed, adjusted
by the treaty Of April 19, 1850; but, un-
fortunately. they have been re-opened by
serious Misunderstanding as to the import
Of some Of its provisions re-adiustment
Of which is now under consideration Our
minister 1t London has made strenuous ef-
forts to accomplish this desirable object, but
has not yet found it possible to bring the
negotiations to a termination
As incidental to these questions. deem it
proper to notice on occurrence which hap
pened in Central America. near the close of
the last session Of Congress. So soon as the
necessity was perceived Of establishing
inter-oceanic communications across the
isthmus, company was organized under
authority Of the State Of Nicaragua, but
composed for the purpose Of opening such
transit way. BY the river San Juan and
Lake Nicaragua, which soon became an
eligible and much used route in the trans
portation Of our citizens and their property
between the Atlantic and Pacific.
Meanwhile. and in anticipation of the
completion and importance Of this transit
way, a number Of adventures had taken
possession Of the old Spanish port at the
mouth Of the river San Juan, in open def.
ance of the State or States Of Central
America, which upon their becoming inde-
pendent, had riehtfully succeeded to the local
sovereignty and jurisdiction of Spain.-I
These adyenturers undertook to change tue
name of the place from San Juan del Nor.e
to Greytown, and though at first pretending
to act as the subjects of the fictitious sover-
eign of the Iusqnito Indians, they subse-
quently repudia,ed the control of any pow
er whatever, assumed, to adopt distinct
political organization and declared them
selves an independent sovereign state.
If. at some time. faint hope was enter
tained that they might become stable and
respectable community, that hope soon yan-
ished, They proceeded to assert unfound-
ed Claims to civil jurisdiction over Punta
Arenas. position On the opposite side Of
the river San Juan. which was in possession
under title wholly independent Of them.
Of citizens of the United States. interested
in the Nicaragua Transit Company, and
was indispensably necessary to the p prosper
ous operation Of that route across the 18th !
mus The company resisted their ground
less claims; whereupon they proceeded to
destroy some Of its buildings. and attempt
et violently to dispossess it.
AT a later period they organized strong
force for the purpose Of demoli>hing the \
establishment at Pun,a Arenas, but this mis- I
chevous design was defeated by the inter- |.
position OF one Of our ships Of war, at that
time in the harbor Of San juan Subse-
quently TO this in May last. body Of men
from Greytown crossed over to Punta Arenas
arrogating authority to arrest, on the charge 1
Of murder. captain Of one of the steam |
boats Of the Transit Company Being we'll
aware that the claim to exercise jurisdiction 4
there would be resisted then, as il had been |
on previous occasions, they went prepared |
to assert it BY force Of arms
Our minister to Central America hap |
pened to he present on that occasion. Be. !
lieving that the captain of the steamboat
was innocent, for he witnessed the transac-
ton on which the charge was founded, and
believing. also. that the intruding party,
having no jurisdiction over the place where |
they proposed to make the arrest, would |
encounter desperate resistance if they per-
sisted in their purpose, lie interposed effect
ually to prevent violence and bloodshed.
The American Minister afterwards visited |
Greytown. and while lie was there, mob, |
including certain Of the so-called public
functionaries Of the place, surrounded the
house in which be was. avowing that they
had come to arrest him. BY order of some
person exercising the chief authority
while parleying with them, he was wounded
by missile from the crowd. A boat, des.
patched from the American steamer North |