Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-17


the continued friendly association of the
two republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs in
Nicaragua in the early part of the pres
ent year, rendered it important that this
government should have diplomatic rela-
tions with that state. Through its terri
tory had been opened one of the princi--
pal thoroughfares across the isthmus,
connecting North and South America,
on which vast amount of property was
transported, and to which our citizens
resorted in great numbers, in passing
between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
of the United States. The protection of
both required that the existing power in
that state be regarded as responsible
government, and its ministers was accord
ingly received. But he remained here
only short time. Soon thereafter the
political affairs of Nicaragua underwent
unfavorable changes, and became invol-
we'd in much uncertainty and confusion.
Diplomatic representatives from two con-
tendiag parties have been recently sent
to this government, but with the imper-
feet information possessed, it was not
possible to decide which was the govern
ment de facto; and, awaiting further de-
velopments, l have refused to receive
either.
Questions of the most serious nature
are pending between The United States
and the Republic of New Granada =
The government of that Republic under
took, year since, to impose tonnage
duties on foreign vessels in her ports, but
the purpose was resisted by this govern
ment, as being contrary to existing treaty
stipulation with the United States, and to
rights conferred by charter upon the Pan
ana Railroad Company, and was accord
ing y relinquished at that time, it being
admitted that our vessels were entitled
TO be exempt from tonnage duty in the
free ports of Panama and Aspinwall. =
But the purpose has been recently reviv-
ed, on the part of New Granada, by the
enactment of law TO subject vessels
visiting her ports to the tonnage duty of
forty cents per ton; and although the
law has not been put in force, yet the
right 10 enforce il is sull asserted, and
may, at any time, be acted on by the
government of that Republic.
The Congress of New Granada has
also enacted law, during the last year,
which levies a tax of more than three
dollars on every pound of mail matter
transported across the Istmus. The sum
thus required to be paid on the mails of
the United States, would be nearly two
millions of dollars annually, in addition
to the large sum payable by contract to
the Panama Railroad Company. If the
only objection to this exaction were the
exOrbitancy Of its amount, it could not
be submitted to BY the United States.
The opposition to it, however, would
obviously y contravence our treaty with
New Grenada, and infringe the contract
of that republic with tie Panama Rail
road Company. The law providing for
this tax was, by its terms, 10 take effect
on the first Of September last; but the
local authorities on the Isthmus have
been induced to suspend its execution,
and to await further Instructions on the
subject from the government of the re.
public. | am not yet advised of the de.
termination of that government. If a
measure so extraordinary in its character
and so clearly contrary to treaty stipu
lations, and the contract rights of the
Panama Railroad Company, composed
mostly of American citizens, should be
persisted in, it will be the duty of the
/ United States to resist its execution.
regret exceedingly that occasion ex
lists to invite youto subject OF still graver
import in our relations with the Republic
of New Granada. On the 18th day of
A pril last, riotuous assemblage of the
inhabitants of Panama committed vio-
lent and Outrageous attack on the premises
of the railroad company, and the pas
sengers and other persons in or near the
same, involving the death of several citi-
zens of the United States, the piIlage
of many others, aud the destruction of
large amount of property belonging to
the railroad company. l caused full in
vestigation of that event to-be made, and
the result shows satisfactorily that COM
plete responsibility for what occurred at
taches to the Government of New Gra-
NADIA. 1 have, therefore, demanded of
that government that the perpetrators of
tie wrongs in question should be pun
ished, that pro, ision should be made for
the families of citizens of the United
S ates who were killed. with full indem
for the property pillaged or destroyed.
The present condition of the Isthmus
of Panama, in so far as regards the Sc
curity of persons and property passing
ever it, requires serious consideration
Recent incidents tend TO show that the
local authorities cannot be relied on to
maintain the public peace of Panama, and
there is Just ground for apprehension
that a portion of the inhabitants are
meditating further outrages, without ad-
equa,e measures for the security and
protection of persons or property having
been taken, either by the State of Pana.
ma, or by the general government of
New Granada.
Under the guarantees of treaty, citi-
zens of the United States have, by the
outlay of several millions of dollars con-
structed railroad across the Isthmus,
and it has become the main route be-
tween our Atlantic and Pacific posses
sions, over which multtudes of our cit
izens and vast amount of property are
constantly passing-'o the security and
protection of all which, and the coniinu-
ance of the public advantages involved,
it is impossible for the government of
the United States to be Indifferent.
1 have deemed the danger of the re-
currence Of lawless violence in this quar-
ter so imminent'as to make II my duty
to station part of our naval force in the
harbors Of Panama and Aspinwall, in or
der to protect the person and property OF
citizens of the United States in these
l. . Nk.r 70 aara