The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-05

8
Our treaties with the Argentine Confederation and with
the Republics of Uruguay and Paraguay the
free navigation of the river La Plata and of its larger
ributaries but the has not attended our
endeayors open the Amazon. The in favor of
the free use of that river had occasion present fully
in former message and considering the cordial relations
which have long existed between this and Brazil
it may be expected that pending negotiations will eyentu
ally reach favorable result.
Convenient OF transit between the several parts
of country are only desirable for the objects of
commercial and personal communication, but essential TO
its existence under government Separated are the
Atlantic and Pacific 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 institutions, and by strong attachment tohe Union
Hence and increasing intercourse, and vast
interchange of commercial productions between these
mote divisions the Republic At the present time the
most practicable and oaly commodous routes for commu-
ncaon between themare by the the Ishmus of Cen
trail America 1t is the duty of the to secure
these avenues against all danger of interruption.
In relation to Central America, perpexng questions
existed between the United States and Great Britain at the
time of the cesson of California These well as ques-
tons which subsequently concerning nter-ocealc
communication the Isthmus, was sup
posed adjusted by the treaty of April 49, 1850: but
fortunately they have been reopened by serious mlsunder
standing the import of some OF its provisions re-
adjustment of which is now under consideration Our
minister London has made strenuous efforts to accom-
psh this desirable object but has not yet found possible
to bring the negotiations TO termination.
AS incidental to these questions deem it proper TO no
tee which happened in Central America
the close of the last session OF Congress so soon
the necessity perceived of establishing nteroceanic
communications the Isthmus, company organ
led under authority of the State Of Nicaragua but com
posed for the part of citizens OF the United States
for the purpose Of opening such transit way, by the river
San and Lake Nicaragua which became eligible
and much used in the transportation of citizens
and their property between the Atlantic and Pacific Mean
WHILE and in anticipation of the completion and Importance
of
session of the old Spanish port the mouth OF the river
San JUAN open defiance of the State or States of Central
America, which, upon their becoming independent had
rphtfuy succeeded to the local sovereignty and urisdc
ton of Spain These adventures undertook change
of the place from San Juan del Norte to Greytown
and though first pretending to act the subjects OF the
fictitious sovereign of the Mosquito Indians, they subse
quenty repudlaed the control OF power whatever
sumed adopt distinct political organization and de-
clared themselves Independent sovereign State IT.
time, faint hope entertained that they might
become stable and respectable community that hope
vanished They proceeded to assert unounded claims
civil jurisdiction Pupta Arenas position the
opposite side of the river San JUAN which in posses
son under title wholly independent of them of citizens
of the United States interested in the Nicaragua Transit
Company, and which ndispensaby necessary the
prosperous operation of that route the Isthmus
The company resisted their groundess claims whereupon
they proceeded to destroy of its buildings, and at
tempted violently to dispossess it,
at later period they organized strong force for the
purpose of demOisng the establishment of Pta Arenas
but this mischievous design defeated by the nterpos
ton of of ships of that time in the harbor
of San juan Subsequently to this, in May last body Of
men from GreytowE crossed over to Punta Arenas
eating authority arrest the charge of MURDER cap
tain of of the steamboats, of the Transit Company
Being well aware that the claim to exercise jurisdiction
there would be resisted then, it had been previous
occasions they prepared to it by force of AIMS
Our minister to Central America happened be present
that occasion Believing that the captain of the steam
boat Innocent for he witnessed the transaction which
the charge founded and believing, Also that the nr
ding party having jurisdiction the place where they
proposed to make the arrest would encounter desperate
resistance if they persisted in their purpose he nteposed
efectuay to prevent violence and bioodshed The Amer
lean minister afterwards visited Greytown and whilst he
there mob, including certain of the socalled public
functonaes of the place. surrounded the house in which
he was avowing that they had arrest him. by
der Of person exercising the chief authority While
parleyng with them he wounded by missile from the
crowd. boat despatched from the American steamer
Northern Light to release him from the perilous stua
ton in which he understood to be- fred into by the
guard and compelled to return These incidents,
gether with the known character of the population Grey
and their excited state induced just apprehensiOns
that the lives and property OF our citizens at Pa Arenas
would be in imminent danger after the departure of the
with her passengers for New York unless guard
left for their protection For this purpose and in
der insure the safety of passengers and property passing
the route temporary force organized at consd-
cradle expense TO the United States for which provision
made at the last session OF Congress-.
This pretended community, heterogeneous assemblage
gathered from various countries, and composed for the
part of blacks and persons Of mixed blood had pre-
vousy given other indications OF mschevous and danger
propensities Early in the MONTH property was
clandesney distracted from the depot of the Transit
Company, and taken to Greytown. The plunderers OBJ
tanned shelter there and their pursucrs driven back
by its people, who not only protected the wrongdoes and
shared the plumber but treated with rueness and violence
those who sought to recover their property
Such in substance, the facts submitted TO my con-
sderaon and proved by trustworthy evidence | could
doubt that the demanded the inerpoon of this
government Justice required that PREPARATION should be
made for many and such gross wrongs and that course
of nsoence and plumber tending directly to the insecurity
of the lives of travellers and of the rich treasure
belonging to citizens passing this transit way
should be peremptoriy arrested. Whatever it might be-
other respects the community in question: in power to
do mischief not despicabe 1t we'll provided with
ordnance, small arms, and ammunition and might easily
seize the unarmed boats, freghed with millions of prop
erty which passed almost daily within its reach 1t did
not profess to belong any regular government and had
in fact recognised dependence connexion with
might apply for redress which could be held RESPONSE
BILE, any way, for the outragcs committed Not standing
before the world in ths attitude of organized political
society being neither competent exercise the rights nor
discharge the obligations of government was fact
maraudng establishment, too dangerous be disre-
garded and too guilty to pass unpunished and yet ncapa
BILE of being treated any other way than pratical
Of outlaws camp of savages depredating on
emgran trains and the frontier settlements of
civilized states.
Seasonable notice given to the people Of Greyown
that this government required them repair the injuries
they had done citizens and make suitable apology
for their insult Of minister and that shipofwar would
be despatched ther enforce compliance with these de-
nands. But the notice passed unheeded. Thereupon
nIo az a, in,