Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-13

the Mexican government ITSELF it having beer
deceived as to their real object The other
small in number, eluded the vigilance of the
magistrates at San Francisco, and succeeded
IN reaching the Mexican territories; but the eff
fective measures taken by this government
compelled the abandonment of the undertaking
Ihe comnission TO establish the new line
between the United States and Mexico. accor
ding to the provisions of the treaty of the 30th
of December last, has been organized and the
work is already commenced.
Our treaties with the Argentine Confedera.
tion, and with the Republics Of Uruguay and
Paraguay. secure to US the free navigation OF
the river La Plata, and some of its larger trib-
utares; but the same success has not attended
our endeavors to open the Amozon. The rea-
sons IN favor of the free use of that river, had
OCCASION to present fully, in former message;
and, considering the cordial relations which
have LONG existed between this government and
Brazil, 1t may be expected that pending nego-
tationS will, eventually reach favorable re-
suit.
Convenient means of transit, between the
several parts of a country, are Not only desira-
bleasr tl:e Objects UD599Eereiai anls.persons al
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 rf each are closely bound together
by community of origin and institutions, and
by strong attachment tn The Tn on. Hence
the constant and increasing intercourse, and
vast interchange Of commercial productions
between these remote divisions OF the Rppuh.
lie. AT the present time, the most practical
and only commOd,ous routes for commuuica-
tion between them are by the way of the 18th
mas of Central America. 1t is the duty Df the
government tn secure these avenues against all
danger Of Interruption
In relation to Central America perpexing
questions existed between the United States
and Great Britain at the time of the session of
California. These. as well as questions which
arose concerning inter.oceanic
communication across the IsthmuS, were. as it
was supposed, adjusted by the treaty of April
l9, 1880: bHt. unfortunately, they have been
by serious misunderstanding as to
the import OF some Of It's provisions a re-adjust
ment of which is now uudcr consideration.-
Onr minister at London has made strenuous
efforts 10 accomplish this desirable object but
has not yet found it possible to bring the nego-
liations to a termination.
As incidental to these questions. I deem it
proper to notice an occurrence which happened
ia Central America, near the close of .he last
session of Congress. So soon as the necessity
was perceived of establishing inter oceanic
across the Isthmus, comna-
ny was organized, under authority of the State
)f Nicaragua, but composed for the most part.
if citizens of the United States, for the purpose
If opening such transit way. hy the river San /.
uan and Lake Nicaragua. which soon became
N eligible aud much used route in the trans
,ortation of our citizens and their property be
ween the Atlantic and Pacific. Meanwhile. /.
md in anticipation of the completion and IN
'ortance of this transit way, Il number Of ad- :
enturers had taken possession Oft the oh Span
sh port at the mouth of the river San Iuan, in
,Peh detlance of the State or States of Central
america, which, upon their becoming indepen
eht' nad rghtfully succeeded 10 tho i local /
dventurers undertook to change the name Of
le place from San Juan del Norte to Grey
fvn, and, though at first pretending to act as
r subjects of the fictitious sovereign Of the
'Psquito Indians, they subsequently repuliat
,ithe control of any power whatever, assuming
4 adopt distinct political organization, and
elared themselves an in lependent sover-
an State. If, at some time, a faint
lPe was entertained that they might
'aome a table and respectable community.
hi hope soon vanished. They proceeded to
Sstrt untOunded claims to civil jurisdiction
va Punta Arenas, a position on the opposite
ne of the San Juan, which was IN possession.
liler title wholly Independent of them, of
'IzenS OF the United States. Interested in the
Staragua Transit Company, aud which was
necessary TO the prosperous opera
dnns OF that route across the Isthmus. The t
oeoany resisted their groundless claims {
'heenpon they proceeded to destroy some Of t
IS blIdin8s, and attempted violently to dispos- {
pss. i
Ah later period they organized a strong &
rce'or the purpose of demoliShing the estab- |
lshnint at Punta Arenas, but this mschiev. t
us esign was defeated by the interposition of :
me Hour ships ofwar, at that time in the har- r
'or San Juan. Subsequently to this in t
laYa body of men from Greytown crossed
vero Punta Arenas, arrogating authority to !
rres on the charge OF murder, n captain ofonc Il
t tn steamboats, Of the Transit Company. Y
'elIi well aware that the claim to exercise 0
nriSction there would be resisted then, as it t,
ad ZEN on previous occasions, they went pre- h
arctic assert it by force of arms. Our minis
er tfCentraI America happened to he present Fl
II tip occasion. Believing that the CAPITA inof o
ne samboat was innocent, for he witnessed y
he nsaction Oh which the charge was found W
d. al believing, also. that the iniruding party C,
avln mo jurisdiction ovor the place where b.
ley opposed to make the arrest, would en- OF
cunt desperate resistance # they persisted in S
leir lrpose, he inerposed. effcctuallv, to pre- W
eut Whence and bloodshed. The American 81
linistt afterwards visited Greytown, and to
hlst lFwas there. moh, including certain of A
he so Gied public functionaries of the place. gr
1rrorndl the house in which he was, avowine di
lat tieHad come to arrest him. by order Of ro
ome Perpn exercising the chief authority ia
hllfpaleying with them he was wounded by 10
missile rom the crowd. A boat. dispatched ~
ON tie lmericau steamer "Northern Light tn
,relfsehim from the perilous situation in tn
hich'e gas understood to be, was fred into lis
' the'un guard, and compelled to return. id
hesepcidentS. together with the known char in
tier dhe population of Greytown, and their
lcltettate, induced just apprehensions that co
e lviaEd property of our citizens at Punta an
renasould be in imminent danger after the ne
'parte Of the steamer, with her passengers, be
r New d-k, unless guard was left for their sci
'otecti. For this purpose, and in order to sta
sure ele sIfety Of passengers and property ito
lssinbve' the route. a temporary force was me-
ganiH it considerable expense to the Unit ch;
Staf, for which provision was made at the cit
st scion of Congress hu
IhiSretended community, a Heterogeneous the
sem tge gathered from various countries, mi
I'd cobosed, for the most part. of blacks and
rSOref mixed blood had previously yiven y0l