Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-01-04
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
The Presidents Message.

journal the Annual Message OF the
United States was then presented and
Tread.
The President states that he has de-
layed his annual communication to The
Two houses, in consequence of the non
organization Of the House, but his con
victions of duty will not permit him 60
delay any longer giving to Congress
Information OF the state Of the Union,
and recommending such measures as
he considers, necessary or expedieni.
He comm.mces by giving history
OF the Central American affairs in par
ticular.
He refers to the recent troubles in
Kansas, and says that her people must
be protected in the exercise of their
rights. without inference on the part
of people of any other State. He
commends the subject to the early at
teniion of Congress.
He culogizes popular sovereignty;
gives the history of the UniJn, and
rxpatiates on State rights with partic-
ular reference TO Slavery and the Flu
gutive Slave Law. He regards agiia-
ton as dangerous to the Union: grets
to see States disregard constitutional
obligations and refuse to obey the law
of Congress; denies that the South
has obtained sdvantage'oyer the North
in the Federal Government; and pro-
ceeds to refer to the ordinance of IT.
81, and the acquisition OF louisiana,
to illustrate the balance of power be-
tween freedom and slavery.
He comes down to the annexation
of Texas. the report of the Missouri
Compromise, ETC., and argues that the
South has got no more than belongs to
her.
He gives an elaborate defence of the
principle of the Nebraska Bill. and in
dignantly denies that it was breach
of faith.
Grave questions are pending with
some foreign powers. the mostimport-
ant of which is that with Great Britain,
arising out of the Nicaragua question.
Il was the understanding OF the Uni
ted States in making that treaty that
all the present States Of the former
Central American Republic would
thenceiorth enjoy complete independ-
ence, aud that both contracting pow
ers engaged equally and TO the same
extent for the present and future, that
If either then had any claim of right
in Central America. such claim was
unreservedly relinquished by the stip-
ulations Of the Convention OF Govern.
ments. and no dominion was thereat-
ter to exist in any part Of Central
America by Great Britain or the Uni.
ted States. and this Government con-
sented TO restrictions in regard to re-
gion wherein we had specific and Pc
cular interests only upon the conyic-
ton that like restrictions were in the
same sense obligatory on Great Brit
ain: but for this understanding il new
er would have been concluded by us.
Great Britain so construes the Con-
vention as TO maintain unchanged all
previous pretensions over the Mosqui-
to Coast, etc. These pretensions are
founded on the assumption Of political
relations between Great Britain and
the remnant of Indians OF that coast.
entered into at a time when the coun-
try was in the colonial possession Of
Spain. 1t cannot be successfully con-
tradicted that by the public law, both
of Europe and America. no possible
act Of such Indians or their predecess-
ors could confer on Great Britain any
political rights. II. however, became
apparent that Great Britain still con-
tinued in the exercise of large author
ity on all that part of Central America
commonly called the Mosquito Coast,
and covering the entire length of Mic
aragua, and part Of Costa RIGA; this
act of Great Britain. being contrary to
the rights of the States of Central
America, as understood by this Gov
eminent. has been made the subject oil
negotiation through the American Min
lister at London.
Great Britain has, by repeated and
successful treaties. renowned .all pre-
tcntions Of her own. and recognized
the full and sovereign rights OF Spain
in most unequivocal terms. Great
Britain now reasserts her right to this
extent Of the Gulfcoast. and the East
ern coast of Nicaragua. The interior
ence OF Great Britain. though mani
tested once once in the form Of militia.
ry occupation Of portion Of San Juan
Del Norte, now presents claims OF a
ri ,ht Of protectorate over the Mosquito
Indians. The President adds that
this Government steadily denies that.
at the date Of the Treaty, Great Brit
ain had any possessions on that coast
other than the limited establishment at
BaIize.
The President states that the Brit
ish Government sees no reason for the
interruption Of peaceful intercourse on
account Of these differences of opinion,
and hopes for an amicable settlement
OF the controversy.
The President adds: There is, how
ever, resson 10 apprehend, that with
Great Britain in actual occupation Of
the disputed territories. this interna-
tional difficulty cannot long 'emain un.
determined. without involving in seri-
Gus danger the friendly relations which
il is the interest as well as duty of
Of both countries to cherish and pre-
serve. IL will afford sincere graft.
iication iffuture efforts shall result in
the success anticipated heretofore with
more confidence thsn the aspect OF the
case now permits to entertain.
In regard 10 recruiting by Grea.
Britain. he saws the traditional policy
of the United States was not 10 inter-
fere with beligerents; such being the
case, no solicitude was felt until Parlia-
mcnt passed an act providing for n
foreign legion.
1t was y matter Of surprise. there
fore. to find persons engaged in the