American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-13

o"o"amcht nus Oecn presented not
only to the powers which have asked
our assent To the declaration To abolish
privateering, but to all oiher maritime
states. Thus far it has not been reiec.
ted by any, and is favorably entertained
by all which have made any commune
cation in reply.
Several of the governments, regard.
ing with favor the proposition of tho u
m,ed States, have delayed defuitive ac-
ton upon it,only for the purpose of con-
sul,ing with others; parties to the Con-
ference of Paris. have the sa,isfac-
lion of stating. however. that the Empe-
ror of Russia has entirely aud explicitly
approved of that modification, and will
cooperate in endeavoring to obtain the
assent of other powers; and that assur-
ances of similar purport have been
received in relation To the disposition
Of the Emperor of the French.
The present aspect of this important
subject allows US to cherish the hope
that principle so humane in it's char
actor, SO just and equal in its operations
and So cOnsonant To the sentiments of
this enlightened period of the world,
will command the appreciation of all
ma'i,ime powers, and thus be incorpo.
rated into the code of international law.
My views on this subject are more
fully set forth in the reply of the Secre-
tary of State. a copy of which is here
with transmitted, TO the communication
on the subject made TO this government
especially to the communication of
France. ...
The Government oftbe u. States has
at all times regarded with friendly in
terest the other States Of America, for
merly, like this country. European col
onies, and now independent members
of the great family Of nations. But the
unsettled condition of some of them,
disu acted by frequent revolutions, and
thus incapable Of regular and firm inter-
nal administration. has tended to embar-
rass occasionally our public interco curse,
by reason of wrongs which our citizens
suffer at their hands, and which they
are slow To redress. ~
Unfortunately, it is against the Re-
public Of Mexico, with which it is our
special desire to maintain good I'M
derstanding, that such complaints are
most numerous; and although earnest
, ly urged upon its attention, they have
not as yet received the consideration
which this government had right to
expect. While PREPARATION for past in
.iurics has been withheld, others have
been added. The political condition
of that country, however, has been
such as to demand forbearance on the
part of the United States. | shall
continue my efforts to procure for the
wrongs of our citizens that redress
which is indispensable to the continued
friendly associations of the two ropub-
lies.
The peculiar condition of affairs in
Nicaragua in the early part of the pres
cnt year, rendered it important that
this government should have diplomat
ic relations with that state. Through
its territory had been opened one of
the principal thoroughfares across the
isthmus connecting North and South
America, on which vast amount of
property was transported, and to which
our citizens restored 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 should
be regarded as responsible government
and its minister was accordingly rccciv-
ed. But he remained here only a short
time. Soon thearafter the political af-
fairs of Nicaragua underwent unfavor-
able changes became involved in much
uncertainty and confusion. Diplo-
matte representatives from two con-
tending parties have been recently
sent to this government, but with tho
imperfect information possessed, it was
not possible to decide which was the
government de facto and awaiting fur.
Their developements, 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
government, as being contrary to cxis-
ting treaty stipulation with the Uni
ted States, and to rights conferrd by
character upon the Panama Railroad
Company, and was accordingly rclin-
pushed at that time, it being admitted
that our vessels were entitled to be OK.
empt from tonnage duty in the free
ports Of Panama and Aspinwall. But
the purpose has been recently revived,
on the part of New Granada, by the
enactment Of a 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,