Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-12-09

the coptnuanse, of TIE treaty, and, consequently,
NAV eubarass the assertion of our right to BE re.
leased theEefrota. There are also other provisions
in the treaty whichsought to be modified 1t was to
remain in force for ten years and until year af
ter either party should give notice to the other OF
intention to terminate il. deem it expedient that
the contemplated notice should be given to the gov.
ernment OF Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about two years
since for the purpose at establishing relations with
the empire of Japan, has been ably and tskilfully
conducted to successful termination by the officer
to whom it entrusted. A treaty, opening GER
tain Of the ports Of that populous country has been
negoated and IN order to give full effect thereto
it only remains 10 exchange notifications, and adopt
requisite commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between the United
States and Mexico settled some of our most embar-
RAISING difficulties with that country, but numerous
claims upon it for wrongs and injuries to citi-
zens remained nadjusted, and many new cases
have been recently added to the former list of grie-
vanccs. Our legation has been earnest in its en-
deavors TO obtain, from the Mexican government, a
favorable consideration of these claims, but hither-
to without succcss.-This failure is, probably, in
some measure, to be ascrbed 10 the disturbed con-
dition of that country. 1t has been my anxious de-
sire to maintain friendly relations with the Mexican
republic and to it's rights and territories to be
respected, not only by citizens but by foreign
erS who have resortedt the United States Tor the
purpose of organizing hostile expeditions against
Of the States of that Republic.-Ihe defence
less condition, in which its frontiers have been lett,
has stimulated lawless Adventures to embark in
these enterprises and greatly increased the dfbcu-
ty of enforcing our obligations of neutrafty.-Re-
garding it solemn duty to fulfil, efficiently,
these obligations, not only toward Mexico, but otn-
foreign nations, have exerted all the powers with
which Fam invested to defeat such criminal proceed
ings, and bring punishment those who, by taking
part therein, violated our laws. The energy and
activity of our civil and military authorities nave
frustrated the design of those who meditated ex-
petitions of this character, except in two instan-
One of these, composed of foreigners was at
tirt countenanced and aided by the Mexican Gov
ernment ITSELF it having been deceived as to their
real object. The other, small in number, eluded
the vigilance tile magistrates at San Fancisco, and
succeeded in reaching the Mexican territories; but
the effective measures taken by this Government
compelled the abandonment of the undertaking.
The commission to establish the new line between
the United States and Mexico, according tot pro-
visions of the treaty of the Both of December last,
has been organized and the work is already COM
mCnceJ.
Uur treatise with the Argentine Confederation
anh with the Republics Of Uruguay and Paraguay,
the free navigation of the river La Plata
and OF its larger tributaries; but the same
has not attended our endeavors to open the
Amazon. The reasons in favor OF the Tree use OF
that river, had occasion TO present fully, IN of-
message and, deling the cordia.l Citations
VIII Oh have long existed between this government
and Brazil. it may b; expected that pending nego-
tia ions will, eventually reach favorable result.
COnv .i,nt means of transit between the several
parts of country are not only desirable for objects
OF commercial and personal communication, out eS-
scntia to its existence under one government Sep
arated arc the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF the
United States by the whole breadth of the continent
still the inhabitants of each are closely bound to-
gethcr by community OF origin and institutions and
10y strong attachment 10 the Union. Hence the con-
SiScnt 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 Commodious
routes for communication between them are by the
way of the Isthmus of Central America. 1t is the
duty of the government to secure these avenues
against all DANCE. of interruption.
In relation to Central America, perplexinS ones
tons existed between the United States and Great
Britain at the time OF the cession Of California
These, well questions which subsequently
concerning interoceanic communication across
the isthmus, were, it was supposed, adjusted by
the treaty Of April 10, 1910; but, unfortunately,
they have been re-opened by serious misunderstand
ing to the import of some of its provisions re.
adjustment of which is now under consideration
Our minister at London has made strenuous efforts
to accom- sh this desirable object but has not yet
found it possible to bring the negotiations to ter
n,ination.
AS Incl itntal to these questions deem it pro-
per to notice occurrence which happened IN Cen
trail America tic close Of the last session OF
Congress. SO tho necessity was perceived
of establishing intgrCcegnic communications across
the i>thInuS, company was organized, under au-
torty Of the State of Nicaragua, but composed, for
the most part, of citizens of the United States, for
the purpose of opening such transit way, 10y the
river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua, which soon
became eligible and much used route in the tran
sportation Of citizens and their property be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Meanwhile and in
anticipation of the completion and Importance of
this transit, way number of adventures had ia
ken possession of the old Spanish port at the mouth
of the river San Juan, in open defiance OF the State
or States of Central America, which, upon their
becoming independent, had rightfuily succeeded to
the local sovereignty and jurisdiction of Spain
These Adventures undertook to change the name of
the place from San Juan del Norte to Greytown,
and though at first pretending to act as the subjects
of the fictitious sovereign of the Mosquito Indians,
they subsequently repudiated the control of any
power whatever, assumed to adopt distinct politi
cal organization and declared themselves an indie
pendent sovereign state. If, at some tirne faint
stable and respectable community, that hope soon
vanished. They proceeded to assert unfounded
claims to civil jurisdiction Punta Arenas po
stion on the opposite side of the river San Juan,
which was in possession, under title wholly indie
pendent of them, of citizens of the United States,
interested in the Nicaragua Transit Company, and
which indispensably necessary to the prosper
GUS operation of that route across the Isthmus The
company resisted their groundless claims; where
upon they proceeded to destroy some OF its build
ings, and attempted violently to dispossess it.
At a later period they organized strong force
for the purpose of demoishng the establishment at
Punta Arenas but this mischievous design was de-
feated by the nterposition of one of our ships Of
war, at that time in the harbor of San Juan. Sub
sequently to this, in May last, body of men from
Grcytown crossed over to Punta Arenas, arrogating
authority to arrest, on the charge of murder cap
tain Of one of the steamboats, of the Transit Com
we'll aware that the claim to exercise
Jurisdiction there would be resisted then, it had
been previous occasions, they went prepared to
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