Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-05

to resume, and press on, negotiations for the ad-
jusment of serious questions of difficulty between
the Spanish government and the United States.
There is reason to believe that our minister win
find the present government more fvorably in
cined than the preceding 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 dis
continue the practice of lcvying tolls on our ves-
sells and their cargoes passing through the Sound
do not doubt that we can claim exemption there
from, as a matter of right. II is admitted on all
hands, that this exacton is sanctioned not by the
general principles of the law Of nations, but only
by special conventions, which most of the com
mercial nations have entered into with Denmark.
The fifth article of our treaty of 1926, with Dem
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 implied agreement to submit
TO the tolls during the continuance of the treaty,
and, consequently, may embarrass 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 for ten years,
and until one year after either party should give
notice TO the other of intention to terminate It,
deem 1t expedient that the contemplated notice
should be given to the government Of Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about two
years since for the purpose of establishing relations
with the empire of Japan, has been ably and skill
fully conducted to successful termination by the
officer to whom It was intusted. treaty, open
ing certain Of the ports Of that populous country
has been negotiated and in order TO give full effect
thereto, it only remains to exchange atifcations,
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 our citi-
Gems remained unadjusted, and many new cases
have been recently added to the former list Of
grievances Our legstion has been earnest in its
endeayors to obtain from the Mexican government
favorable consideration Of these claims but hith-
erto without success. This failure is probably, in
some measure, to be ascrbed to the disturbed con-
dition of that country. II has been my anxious
desire to maintain friendly relations with the Mex
lean republic and to cause its rights and terrific
ries to be respected, not only by our citizens,
but by foreigners who have resorted to the United
States for the purpose of organizing hostile cxpedi
tons 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 enterprises and greatly increase
the difficulty of enforcing our obligations of neu-
trality.
Regarding it as my solemn duty to fulfil, effici-
emily, these obligations, not only towards 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 q part therein, violated our
laws. The energy and activity of our civil and
military authorities have frustrated the designs Of
those who medtated expeditions of this character,
except in two instances. One of these, composed
of foreigners, was at first countenanced and aided
by the Mexican government ITSELF it having been
41u.u lzl..z atl.a .an
in NUMBER 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 abandon
ment of the undertaking.
The commission to establish the new line between
the United States and Mexico according 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 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 tributaries; but the
same success has not attended our endeavors to
open the Amazon. The reasons in favor Of the free
of that river had occasion to present fully in
a former message; and, considering the cordial re-
lations which have long existed between this gov
ernment and Brazil, 1t may be expected that pend
ing negotiations will, eventually, reach favorable
result.
Convenient means of transit, between the several
parts Of country, are not only desirable for the
objects of commercial and personal communication,
but essential TO its existence under government
Separated are the Atlantic and Pacific coasts Of
the United States by the whole breadth of the con-
tinent still the inhabitants ofeach closely bound
together by community of origin and institutions,
and by strong attachment to the Union. Hence
the constant and increasing intercourse, and vast
interchange Of commercial productions, between
these remote divisions Of the Republic. AT the
present time, the most practicable and only COM
modious routes for communication between them
are by the way of the Isthmus of Central America.
II Is the duty of the government TO secure these
avenues against all danger of interruption.
In relation to Central America, perplexing ques-
tons existed between the United States and Great
Britain at the time Of the cession of California.
These, as well as questions which subsequently
arose concerning nter-oceanc communication across
the Isthmus, were, as IL was supposed, adjusted by
the treaty OF April l9 1850; but, unfortunately,
they have been re-opened by serious misunder-
standing to the import Of some of its provisions
a readjustment of which Is now under considers
ton. Our Minister at London has made strenuous
efforts to accomplish this desirable object, but has
not yet found il possible TO bring the negotiations TO
a termination.
As incidental to these questions deem It prop
er to notice an occurrence which happened In
Central mcrica, near the close of the last session
of Congress. So soon as the necessity was per
ceived Of establishing nter-oceanic communicatons
across the Isthmus, company was organized, un-
der authority of the State of Nicaragua, but COM
posed, for the most part Of citizens of the United
States, for the purpose Of opening such a transit
way, by the river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua,
which soon became an eligible and much used route
in the transportation ofour citizens and their prop
erty between the Atlantic and Pacific Mean
while, and in anticipation Of the completion and
importance of this transit way, number Of adj
venturers had taken possession of the old Span
ish port at the mouth Of the river San Juan, in
open defiance Of the State or States Of Central
America, which, upon their becoming indepen-
dent, had rightfuly succeeded TO the local sover-
eighty and Jurisdiction Of Spain.
These adventurers 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 political organization, and declared
themselves an independent sovereign State. IL at
some time, faint hope was entertained that they
might become stable and respectable community,