Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-05-23
From the Union, 10th inst.
cnr re1ntlsns with NIcnragua.

NohStess lhe fIesidcnt sent 10 COngieSs yesterday
| 2 special message accompanied by the correspon'
dence in regard to our present relations with Mica
ragua. The message is as follows
10 the Senate and House Of Representatives
| transmit, herewith, reports of the Secretary OF
State, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Attorney
General in reply to resolutions of the Senate of the
Z4th OF March last, and also TO resolution of the
| House OF Representatives on the 9Th Of May inst,
both having reference to the routes of transit be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the
republics of New Granada and Nicaragua, and to
the condluon OF affairs in Central America.
These documents relate to questions of the highest
importance and interest TO the people of the United
| States
The nafrow islhmus which connects the two contl-
nents Of North and Sonth America, has, by the fa-
ctleS 1t affords for easy transit between the Allan
tic and Pacific oceans, rendered the countries Of Cen
tral America object Of special consideration to all
maTatme nations, which has been greatly augment
ed in modem times by the operation of changes in
commercia relation, especially those produced by the
general use of steam motive power by land and
sea. 10 on account of its geographical position
and Of our political interest American State of
primary magnitude, that sthmus is of peculifr i'm or
tance, just the lshmus of Suez is for correspond
| ing reasons, 70 The maratlme powers OF Europe
But above al, the Importance to the United States
OF securing free transit the American ishmUs
has rendered II OF paramount interest to since the
settlement of inc Territories of Oregon and Wash
lngon, and the accession of California to the Union
lmpeed by these considerations, the United States
took steps at early day suitable means
of commercial transit by canal, railway, or other
wise, this ithmus.
We concluded in the first place, treaty Of peace
amity, navigation, and commerce with the republic
OF New Granada among the conditions of which was
a stipulation on the part of New Grenada, guaan
tying to the United State the right Of way or transit
across that part of the shmus which lies in the ter
ritory of New Granada, in consideration of which
TAFT tied in 0f thn
territory the right of sovereignty and property Of
New Grenada
The effects OF this treaty TO afford to the peo
pie of the United States facilities for at once open
ing common road from Chagres to Panama. and for
at length constructing railway in the same direc-
ton, to connect regularly with steamships, for the
transportation of mails, specie and passengers, to
and fro, between the Atlantic and Pacific States and
Territories of the United States.
The United States also endeavored, but unssuccess-
fully, 10 obtain from the Mexican republic the ces
sion of the right of way at the northern extremity
of the isthnus by Iehuantepec and this line of
munca1iOn continues to be all object of solicu!e to
tt people of this republic.
In the mean time, intervening between the repub-
lie of New Granada and the Mexican republic, lie
the States of Guatemala, Salvador Honduras, Mica
ragua, and Costa Rlca, the several members of the
former republic of Central America. l4ere in the
territory OF the Central American States, is the mar
roWest part of he isthmus, and hither, of course,
ing field for enterprises of inter oceanic communca-
on between the opposite shores of America, aud
especially 70 the territory of the States OF Ncara-
qua and Honduras
| Paramount to that of any European State as was
the interest of the United States in the security and
freedom of projected lines of travel the 18TH
mus by the way of Nicaragua and Honduras still we
did not yield in this respect any suggestions of
territorial aggrandzement, OF exclusive adj
vantage, either of communication or commerce. Op-
! NOR had Ntoto
TO procure such advantages by peaceful means and
with full and free assent of those who alone had any
legitimate authority in the matter. We disregarded
those opportunities, from considerations alike of do
mesc and foreign policy just even to the pre-
! sent day. have persevered in system of Justice
and respect for the rights and inle of others
we'll own, in regard to each and all of the
! States OF Central America.
it was with surprise and regret therefore, that the
United States learned, few days after the ccnclu-
| sion of the treaty of Guadalupe Elidalgo, by which
the United States became with the consent of the
Mexican republic, the lghtful owners of California,
and thus invested with augmented special interest in
! the political condition Of Central America, that a
military expedition under the authority of the Brit
ish government had landed at San Juan del Note, in
tho State OF Nicaragua, and taken forcibe possession
of that port tie e,essary terminus OF any canal or
railway the isthmus within the territories of
! Nicaragua.
1t did not diminish the UNIV ecOmeness to US of this
act on the part OF dreat britain 10 HnQ mat he as
sumed to justify on the ground of an alleged pro
| tectorship of small and obscure band of uncivzed
| Indians, whose proper name even had become lost
to history, who did not constitute State capable OF
territorial sovereignty, either in fact of right and
ali political interest in whom and in the territory
they occupied Great Britain had previously re-
nonnced by successive treaties with Spain when
Spain was sovereign of the country and subsequent
/ ly with independent Spanish America.
| Nevertheless, and in urIously affected the
United States conceived themselves to have been by
this act of the British government and by its
patton about the time of insular and of CONT
mental portions of the territory Of the State of Hon
duras, remembered the many and powerful ties
and mutual interests by which Great Britain and the
United States associated, and We proceeded in
earnest good faith, and with sincere desire to dc
( whatever might strengthen the bonds of peace be-
tween US, to negotiate with Great Britain conven
lion to assure lhe perfect neutrality of all inter
oceanic communications across the sthmus, and rs
the Indispensable condition of such neutrality, the
absolute independence of the States of Central
America, and their complete sovereignty within The
limits of their territory, as we'll against Grea
Britain as against the United States We supposed
we had accomplished that object by The convention
of Apail 10, 1850, which would never have beer
signed nor ratified on the part of the United States
but for the conviction that, in virtue of its prOyls
il MS neither Great Britain the United States
thereafter exercise any territorial sovereignty il
/ fact or in name, in any part OF Central America
however or wheusOtyer acquired, either before O
afterwards. The essential object OF the convention
--,the naturalization of the sthmus-- would, 0
course become nullity, if either Great Britain o
the United States to continue 10 hold exclusive
ly islands or mainland of the sthmus, and more es
pecially if, under any claim OF proectorship of In
: dianS, either government to remain lOreye
sove egn in fact of the Atlantic shores of the thre
States of Costa Rica, Nicaragua. and Honduras.