Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-14
EBENsBURG, DECEMBER II, 1854.

to comply with our just demands, and to
make suitable arrangements for restoring
harmony, and preserving peace between the
two countries.
Negotiations are pending with Denmark to
discontinue the practice of levying tolls on our
vessels and their cargoes, passing through the
sound. l do not doubt that we can claim ex-
emption therefrom, as matter of right. ut
is admitted, on all hands, that this exaction
is sanctioned not by the general principles of
the law of nations, but only by special con-
ventions, which most of the commercial ma
tions hare entered into with Denmark. The
fifth article Of our treatysof 1926 with Den
mark, provides that there shall not be paid on
the vessels of the United States and their
cargoes when passing through the Sound,
higher duties than those of the most favored
nations. This may be regarded as an i'm
piled agreement to- submit to the tolls during
the continuance of the treaty, and consequent
ly may embarass the assertion of our right to
be released therefrom. There are also other
provisions in the treaty which ought to be
modified. 1t was to remain in force ten
years, and until one year after either party
should give notice to the other of intention
to terminate it. deem it expedient that the
contemplated notice should be given 10 the
government OF denmark.
The naval expedition despatched about
two years since for the purpose of establish
ing relations with the empire of Japan, has
been ably and skillfully conducted to sue
cessful termination by the officer to whom it
was entrusted A treaty, opening certain of
the ports of that populous country, has been
negotiated; and in order to give full effect
thereto, it only remains to exchange ratifca-
tons. and adopt requisite commercial regula-
tions.
The treaty lately concluded between the
United States and Mexico settled some of the
most embarrassing difficulties with that coun-
try, but numerous claims upon it for wrongs
and injuries to our citizens remained unad-
justed, and many new cases have been recent
ly added to the former list of grievances.
Our legation has been earnest in its endeav-
ors to obtain, from the. Mexican government,
favorable consideration of these claims, but
hitherto without success. This failure is,
probably, In some measure, to be ascribed to
the disturbed condition of that country.i 1T
has been my anxious desire to maintain
friendly relations with the Mexican republic,
and to cause its rights and territories to be
respected, not only by our citizens but by
foreigners, who have resorted to the United
States for the purpose of organizing hostile
expeditions against some of the States of that
republic. The defenceless condition in which
its frontiers have been left, has stimulated
lawless adventurers to embark in these enter
prises, and greatly increased the difficulty of
enforcing our obligations of neutrality. Re-
garding It as my solemn duty to fulfil, efficient
ly, these obligations, not only towards Mexi
co, but other foreign nations, l have exerted
all the powers with which / am invested to
defeat such criminal proceeding, and bring to
punishment. those who, by taking part
therein, violated our laws.
The energy and activity of our civil and
military authorities have frustrated the de-
signs of those who meditated expeditions of
this. character, except in two instances O9e
of these, composed of foreigners, was at first
countenanced and aided by the Mexican gov
ernment itself, it having been deceived as to
their real object The other, small In num-
Der, eluded the vigilance of the magistrates
at San Francisco, 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, ac-
cording 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-
ton, and with the Republics of Uruguay and
Paraguay, secure to us the free navigation OF
the river La Platte, and some OF its larger
| tributaries but the same success has not at
tended our endeavors TO open the Amazon.
| The reasons in favor of the free use of that
river, had occasion to present fully, IN a
former message; and, considering the cordial
relations which have long existed between
! this government and Brazil, it may be expect
| ed that pending negotiations will, eventually,
reach favorable result.
Convenient means of transit, between the
several parts of country, are not only de-
! sirable for the objects of commercial and per-
sonal communication, but essential to Its
existence 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 of each art
closely bound together by community of ori
hin and institutions, and by strong attach
ment to the Union. Hence the constant ant
increasing intercourse, and vast interchang'
of commercial productions, between there re
mote divisions of the Republic. At the pre-
sent time, the most practicable and only com
modious routes for communication betweeI
them are by the way of the Isthmus of Cen
tral America 1t is the duty of the govern
ment to secure these avenues against al
danger of interruption.
j In relation to Central America, perplexiDs
questions existed between the United State
and Great Britain, at the. time of the cessioI
of California. These, as well as question:
D which subsequently arose concerning inter
oceanic communication across the lsthmus
were, as.it was supposed, adjusted by th'