The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-12-10


Questions Of the most serious nature are
pending between the United States and the
Republic Of New Granada. The Govern
ment Of that Republic undertook, II year
since, to impose tonnage dpties on foreign
vessels in her ports; but the purpose was
resisted by this Government as being contra
~ to existing treaty stipulation with the
United States, and to rights conferred by
charter upon the Panama Railroad Company,
and was accordingly rclinqaished at tina,
tine, il being admitted that our vessels were
entitled 10 be exempt from tonnage duty IN
the Tree ports Of Panama and Aspinwal.
But the purpose has been recently revived.
on the part of New Granada, by the enact
mcnt Of a law to subject vessels visiting her
ports to the tonnage duty Of forty cents per
| ION and, although the law has not been put
/ n force, yet the right 10 enforce Il is still
asserted, and may, at any time, be acted on
by the Government Of that Perubllc.
The Congress of New Granada has also enacted
law during the last year, which eyes tax OF more
than three dollars on every pound Of mail matter
transported across the lsihnus The sum thus reqnir-
cd "a he paid on the mails q the United states would
h. nearly Two millions 81 dollars annually N addition
10 The large sum payable ~ contract 70 The Panama
Railroad Company Ii The only objection to this exac-
ton was the exobitancy Of the AMOUNT could not be
submitted to by the United States.
The imposition OF il, however, would obviously con-
tayene our treaty with New Granada. and infringe the
eon,rac, Of that republic with the Panama Railroad
Company. The law providing for the lar was, by lis
terms 10 take effect the first Of September last, bot
the local authorities the lsthmus have been lnduced
10 suspend us execution, and 10 await further insuc-
tons the subject from the government Of the repub
lie. am not vet advised OF the determination Of that
/ sac mar n
racter aud clearly contrary TO treaty stpnlaions,
and the contract rights OF the Panama Railroad Com
pany, composed mostly Of American citizens, should
be persisted il, il will be the duty d the Inted States
10 resist il execution.
H regret exceedingly that occasion exists 10 invite
your attention q suffice, q still grayef import IN our
relations with the Republic OF New Granada On the
fifteenth DAY OF April last TDious asssmhiage Of the
inhabitants Of Panama .Umnltrd violent aud outfa-
geous attack the premises Of the Railroad Company,
aud the passengers and other persons ~ and near the
same involving tho death 81 several citizens Of the lni
ted states lhr pingc 81 many Others anil the dcstuc
lion II large amount 81 property belonging 70 the
Railroad company. caused iun Investigation d that
event 20 be- made and the result shows satisfactorily
that complete responsibility for hFt occurred attaches
% the government Of New Granada have, there
fore demanded Of that government that the perpe,a-
Tors Of the wrongs 10 question should be punished;
that provision should BE- made icr the families Of esii
lcns Il the United States who killed. With full n-
dcmniy tot tlc property piaged or DESTROYED.
The present condition " the Tsthmus ~ PanAma, ~
Tar regards the security q persons and property
ssing over a. requires serious consideration Recent
incidents tend show that the local authorities
not be relied on TO maintain the public peace Of Psna-
ma and there Is just ground fof apprehension that
portion II tie inhabitants meditalug further out
rags without, adequate measures for lie security aud
protection 4 persons 81 property having hesn taken,
either ~ the State II Panama q D IL general gov
eminent 81 New Granada.
Under Ihc guarantees Of treaty, citizens Of The Uni
ted States have, y the outlay Of several millions Of
dollrs constructed railroad across Of lsihHus and
il has become the main route between Atlantic and
Pacific possessions which muliindes u the cliI
and vast amount 81 property arc eonsiaaty pas-
single the security aud protection q al which, and
fhe continuance IL ihe public advantages involved, Il
l. impossible III liz government u Tie United States
70 b. indifferent.
have deemed the danger Of the recurrence o.
Of hsless violence 10 tas quarter 50 imminrBt a. 10
make my duty 10 station part Of our naval force m
the bsfbofs Of Panama and AspinSs N order 10 pro-
eciihe persons and properly Of the citizens q The Lni
cd State. ~ these ports. ard 70 insure 70 hen safe
passage across The Isihmus. Aud 4 would. 10 my
Judgment ~ unw5se IL withdraw the natal force
lhp-e ports, until ~ The spontaneous asiion % ht
republic % New ifahadl. otherwise. some aieaufie
arrangement shall have hem mNds for The protection
and security Of line 81 inter ceramic communication
important % this time, not 70 TIE initsd States
Is. but ~ otsl maritime states both 81 Eurofe aud
Amerca.
,, NeinWhils. negotiations have hrtn instituted by
means II special commission, ~ obtain ifsm New
Ganaia irlI indemnity ior injures sustained 81 our
citizens the l.hnus, and satisfactory security ior
the general Interests - The United states.
IN addressing 10 you by Last annual message, The
OCCASION 70 NE an appropriate 10 cKpfc,s
ms congratulations IN view 81 the peace greatness snd
telieiiy nhieh he uasd state, now possess and enjoy
u point you d The u The saf0ns departments
n thc g0ttnMfnt and ~ ~ hs great hfanthss u ihr
public setrrr eiil and military. onsf speak ~
the intelligence and The integrity pheh rrssiss the
WHOLE Wpuli ~ q ndicsie bat nppefseils the admins
tatse condition o. aud The l%nt ai tiscts
I 81 that on The general welfare Nor vouh u suier
say that The nation Is actually pesee Al home sod
abroad: thst iis Interests are prosperous that the
: canvas q r. mariners whitens every and ihe
plongh 4 IL hasianinen marching steadily onward
tD thF hu0sss conquest IN thc continents llat eiss
sui popuons STATES YTfingnr Or = il ~ enchsn
nent lon Tie loom " cur western u.ids, sui the
courageous energy u our people i making u iheso
United states the great rspuhlc u The wetd Thee
isults have MT BEEN attained Wiih6a, passing through
trial. lHi prils. b rtpcrsnce q Whiei aud thus
", nat1ns ga .af5en iniomanh5pi. uuf ioteisihers
were trained II ihe wisdom Which snnsstrd. and u.
courage ahrh achieved Independence, III stannstaB.
!. gLirh surrounded them, an6 thfy Wffr itus mate
capable 81 the erFaliannit The republic dftnlted 20 tho
nest generation % consolidate hc work u The re,su-
ton, 10 deliver the country eBfely tom The nbuen.
ees Of conflicting transatlantic iniatts aninathcs
which attached q Gus colonial anl revolutionary hs.
tory, and q ogsnse The practical opefation u tho
constitutional and legal Institutions ofihs Tnion r.
~ y this generation The not lsss noble task
oimaInianina and extending The power 81 ihs United
states. We hate !, length. Ttatsd that stage oihn
nations cafefr nelsh The dlRFcfs % L. encountered.
aud The eHcfiions % u made The inedfntt not u
weakness but ofstfengih. ~ iafsien relations
have 20 aempef oat roeer 10 she les happy condition