Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-12-12

llQ2 Ehuu IGudluS dOOAlSuCu FtuS
ing amendment: land that the private
property of subjects and citizens ola bes
tliigerant on the high seas shall2be exempt
from seizure by the public armed vessels
Of the other beligerant, except il be con-
traband." This amendment has been
presented not only toEthe powers which
have asked our assent to the declaration
Is abolish privateering.' but to all other
maritime States. Thus far it has not
been rejected by any. and is favorably
entertained by all which have made any
communication in reply.
Several Of the governments. regarding
the proposition If the United States, have
DELAYED detibite action omit only for the
purpose OF consulting with others, parties
TO the conference of9,Parisg ii have the
satisfaction OF stating, however, that ''the
Emperor Of Russia has entirely and ex-
plicitly approved of that amodifcation.
and will cooperate in endeavoring to OBJ
tain the assent Of other powers; and that
assurances OF similar purport have been
received in relation TO the disposition Of
the Emperor of France. .'H '.... 'f
The present aspect OF this important
subject allows US to cherish a hope that a
principle so humane in its character, so
just and equal in its operation, so essen
Lial TO the prosperity of commercial ma
tons, and SO consonantto the sentiment
Of this enlightened period Of the world,
will command the appreciation Of mari>
time powers, and thus be incorporated
into the code of International law. pc .
My views are more fully set forth in
the reply Of the Secretary OF State, copy
of which is herewith transmitted. to
the communications on the subject
made to this government. especially to
the communication Of France.
| The government of the United States
has at all times regarded with friendly
interest the other States of America. for>
merly. like this country, European colo
nes, and now independent members Of
the great family Of nations. But the un-
settled condition of some of them. distract
ed by frequent revolutions, and thus in
capable of regular and firm administrn-
ton, has tended 10 embarrass occasional.
ly our public intercourse, by reason of
wrongs which our citizens suffer at their
hands, and which they are slow to re-
dress. -@ ',E -.
Unfortunately it is against the republic
of Mexico. with which it is our special de-
sire to maintain a good understanding.
that such complaints are most numerous;
and. although earnestly urged upon its
attention, they have not as yet received
the consideration which this government
has right to expect. While PREPARATION
for past injuries had been withheld, 9TH
h. Il
dition Of that country. however, has been
such as to demand forbearance on the
part of the United States. | shall con-
tinue my efforts to procure for the wrongs
Of our citizens that redress which is in
dispensable to the continued friendly as
sociation Of the two republics.
The peculiar cond ition OF affairs in Nj
caragua in the early part of the present
year rendered it important that this gov
ernnent should have diplomatic relations
with that State. Through its territory
had been opened one OF the principal
thoroughfares across the isthmus connect.
ing North and South America, on which
vast amount of property was transports
ed, and to which our citizens resorted 10
great numbers in passing between the At
lantic and Pacific coasts of the United
States. The protection Of both required
that the existing power in that State
should be regarded as responsible gov
eminent; and its minister was according
! ly received. But he remained only a
short time. Soon thereafter the political
affairs of Nicaragua underwent unfavora.
BILE change. and become involved in much
uncertainty and confusion. Diplomatic
representatives from two contending par
ties have been recently sent to this gOv-
ernmert; but, with the imperfect informa,
ton possessed. it was not possible to dc.
eide which WAS the government de fIcto ;
and awaiting further developments, 1
have refused to receive either.
i Questions of the most serious nature
are pending between the United States
and the republic Of New Granada. The
government Of that republic undertook. a
year since, TO impose tonnage duties on
foreign vessels in her ports. but the pur-
pose was resisted by this government, as
being contrary to existing treaty stipula-
ton with the United States, and 10 rights
, conferred by charter upon the Panama
Railroad Company, and was accordingly
rellnquiShed at that time, it being ad On it.
ted that our vessels were entitled to be
exempt from tonnage duty in the free
ports OF Panama and Aspinwall. Blu: the
purpose has been recently revived, 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 to enforce
it is still asserted, and may. at any time,
be acted on by the government of that
republic.
The Congress Of New Granada has al
SO enacted law during the last year