Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08


The naval expedition. despatched
about two years ago for the purpose
Of establishing relations with tho en-
pire of Japan. has been ably and
skillfully conducted to successful
termination by the officer 10 whom il
was Entrusted. A treaty opening GER
tam Of the ports of that populous
country has been negotiated; and in
order to give full effect thereto. il only
remains to exchange ratifcstions and
adopt requisite commercial rsgula-
tons.
The treaty lately concluded between
the U. $. and Mexico settled some Of
our most embarrassing difficulties
with that country, but numerous
claims upon II for wrongs and injuries
to our citizens remain unadjusted.
and many new cases have been re-
Gently added to the former list Of
grievances. Our legation has been
earnest in their iendeavors to obtain
from the Mexican government "a
vorable consideration Of these claims
but hitherto without success. This
failure is probably in some measure to
be attributed to the disturbed condi-
ton OF that country. II has been my
anxious desire TO maintain friendly
relations with the Mexican republic
and TO cause its rights TO be respected
not only by our own citizens, but BY
foreigners who have resorted to the
U. $. for the purpose Of organising
hostile expeditions against some Of the
states Of that republic. The defence.
less condition in which its frontiers
have been left. has stimulated lawless
adventures to embark In these en-
terpriscs, and gIeatly increased the
difficulty OF enforcing our obligations
of neutrality. Regarding it rs my
solemn duty to fulfil these obligations
not only toward Mexico, but other
foreign nations, have exerted all the
powers with which | am invested to
defeat such criminal proceedings. and
bring to punishment those who by
taking part therein. violated our laws.
The energy and activiy OF our civil
and military authorities have frustra-
ted the designs of those who medits-
ted expeditions Of this character ex-
copt in two instances. One Of these
composed Of foreigner, was At first
countenanced and aided by the Mex
lean Government itself. ii having
been deceived as to its 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 effec-
tive measures taken by the Govern
ment compelled the abandonment Of
the undertaking.
The commission TO establish the
new line between the u. s. and Mexi-
co, according to the provisions Of the
30th December last, has been organi-
zed. and the work is already common
ced.
Our treaties with the Argentine
Confederation, 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-
utaries; but the same success has mol
attended our endeavors TO open the
Amazon. The reasons in favor Of the
free use OF that river | had occasion
10 present fully in former message
and. considering the cordial relations
which have long existed between thi'
government and Brazil. il may be ex
pected that pending negotiations will
eventually, reach favorable result.
Convenient means Of transit, be
tween the several parts Of country
are not only desirable for the object
Of commercial and personal commu
} nication but essential to its existenc,
under one government Separated
as are the Atlantic and Paciis coast
Of the U. S. by the whole breadth o
the continent, still the inhabitants o
r each are closely bound together b,
community Of origin and institutions
and by strong attachment to tn
: Union. Hence the constant and in
creasing intercourse and vast inter
! change Of commercial productions
between these remote divisions Of tn
| republic. At the present time tn
most practicable and only commodiou
: routes for communication between
/ them are by the way Of the Isthmu
3 and Central America. Il is the dut
Of the government to secure thes
: avenues against all danger Of int
, ruption.
3 In relation to Central America per
5 picking questions existed between tn
| U. S. and Great Britain at the tim
D Of the cession of California. These
: as well rs questions which subsequ eni
ly arose concerning inter-occAnic com
| munication across the Isthmus. were
g as it was supposed. adjusted by th
treaty Of April 10, 1850; but, unfori
d unately, they have been re-epened b
r serious misunderstanding rs to tn
: import Of some Of its provisions, a re
{ adjustment of which ia now unde
!. consideration. Our Minister at Lon
: don has made strenuous efforts to &C
a complish this desirable object. but ha
I not yet found it possible to bring tn
J. negotiations to n termination.
As incidental 10 these questions,
/. deem il proper 10 notice an occurranc
which happened in Central Americs
5 near the close Of the last session {
e Congress. So soon as the necessit
t was perceived Of establishing inter
I oceanic communications across the 18th
1 mus, company was organised, unde
r authority of the State Of Nicaragua
c but composed. for the most part. {
citizens Of the United States, for III