The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-13

Negotiations are pending with Denmark
to discontinue the practice Of levying tolls
on our vessels and their cargocs passing
through the Sound do not doubt that
we can claim exemption thercfrom, as a
matter of right. 1t is admitted on all
hands, that this exaction is sanctioned, not
by the general principles of the law of ma
tons, but only by special conventions which
most of the commercial nations have enter
ed into with Denmark. The fifth article
of our treaty Of 1926, with Denmark, pro-
vides that there shall not be paid, on the
vessels of the United States and their car
goes when passing through the Sound high
er duties than those of the most favored
nations.
This may be regarded as an implied agree
ment to submit to the tolls during the cOntin-
uance of the treaty, and consequently, may
embarass the assertion of our right to be re-
leased thcrefrom. There are also other pro-
visions in the treaty which ought to be modi-
fed 1t was to remain in force for ten years,
and until one year after either party should
give notice to the other of intention to ternli-
nate it. deem it expedient that the contem-
plated notice should be given TO the govern
ment of Denmar'-.
The naval expedition, despatched about two
years since for the purpose of establishing re-
lations with tho Empire of Japan, has been
ably and skillfully conducted to a successful
termination by the officer to whom it was in
i trusted. A treaty. opening certain of the
ports of that populOus country, has been negc-
tiatcd in order to give full fleet thereto, it
only remains to exchange notifications, and
adopt requisite commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between the
United States and Mexico settled some of
onr most embarrassing difficulties with that
coun}ry, but numerous claims upon it for
wrongs and injuries to our citizens remain
ed unadjusted, and many new cases have
: been recently added to the former list of
grievances. Our legation has been earnest
in its cndeavOrs to obtain from the Mexican
government a favorable consideration of
these claims, but hitherto without success.
This failure is, probably, i'll some measure
to be ascribed to the disturbed condition of
that country.
1t has been my anxious desire to maintain friendly
relations with the Mexican republic, and to its
rights and territories to he respected, not only by
citizens, but by foreigners, who have resortcd the
United States for the purpose of organizing hostile
expeditions against some Of the States Of that Repub
lic The defenceless condition in which its frontiers
have been left, has stimulated lawless adventures to
embark in these enterprises and greatly increas, he
difficulty of enforcing obligations of neutrality
Regarding it my drty to fllf.' these Obligations,
not only toward Mexico, but otheroreign nations,
| have exerted all the powers with which
| am invested, to defeat such criminal pro-
cce lngs, and bring to punishment those
who, by taking part therein, violated our
laws The energy aud activity of our
civil and military authorities have frustrated
the designs of those who medtated expe-
ditions of this character, except in two in
stances One of these, composed of for
cigncrs, was at first countcnanced and aCe
by the Mexican Government itself, it hay
inc been deceived as to its real object.
The other, small in number, cludcd the Wig
lance of the magistrate at San Francisco,
and succeeded in reaching the Mexican ter
rtorics. But the effective measures taken
ly this Government compelled the aban-
donment of the undertaking.
The commission to establish the new line
between United States and Mexico, accor-
ding to the provisions of the treaty of the
30th of December last, has been organized,
and the work has already commenced.
Grafton, and with the Republics of Urgua
and Paragua, secure to lis the free naviga-
ton of the river La Plata, and some of its
larger tributaries; Lut the same success has
not attended our cndevors to open the AM
azon. The reasons in favor of the free use
of that river, | had occasion to present fully
E 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 the country, are not only de-
sirable for the objects of commercial and per
sOnal communication, but essential to its eXis
tence under one gOvernmnnt 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 origin and institu
tiOns, and by strong attachment to the Union
Hence the constant and increasing intercourse
and vast interchange of commercial produc
tiOns between these remote divisions of thu
Republic. At the present time, the most prac
: ticable and only commodious routes for com
: municatiOn between them are by the way o
the Isthmus of Central America. 1t is thu
duty of the government to secure these ave
nues against all danger of interruption.
In relation to Central America, perpleX
ing questions existed between the United
States and Great Britain at the time of tin
8 cession of California. These, as well a
questions which subsequently arose concern
!, Isthmus, were, as it was supposed, adjusted
hY the treaty of April L. 1850. but LII