The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-12-10

other beHeerenp except it lie cOntraland.--
This amendment has been presented not only
to the powers which have asked our assent 10
the declaration 10 abolish priyateering, but 10
all other maritime States. Thus far it has not
been rejected by any, and is hvorably enter
tanned by all which have made any communi-
cation in reply.
! Several of the governments, regarding with IA
vor the proposition of the United States. have
delayed definite action upon it, only for the
purpose Of consulting with others, parties to the
Conference of Paris. / have the satisfaction Of
stating however that the Emperor of Russia
has entirely and explicitly approved of that mod.
| ification, and will cooperate in endeayoring to
Obtain the assent of other powers; and that as
surances Of similar purport have been receiv-
ed 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 its character so Just and equal in
its operation, so essential TO the prosperity Of
commercial nations, and 50 constant to the SEN
timents of this enlightened period of the world,
will command the appreciation of all maritime
i powers, and thus be incorporated into the code
of international law, 4H
Myviews on the subject are more fully set
forth in the reply of tie Secretary of State,
copy (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 9TH
er States Of America, formerly, like this couh-
TRY European colonies, and now independent
members of the great family of nations. But
the unsettled condition of some of them,
distracted by frequent revolutions, and thus in
capable of regular and firm internal adminstra-
tion has tended to embarass occasionally our pub
lie intercourse by reason of wrongs which our
citizens suffer at their hands, and which they
are slow to redress.
Unfortunately it is against the Republic of
Mexico, with which it is our special desire TO
maintain good understanding, that such COM
plants are most numerous; and although earn
estly urged upon its attention. they have not as
yet received the consideration which this govern
ment had right to expect. While repaTation
for past injuries has been withheld others have
been added. The political condition of that
country, however, has been such as as TO demand
loltearance on the part o. the United States
; ! shall continue my efforts to procure for the
wrongs Of our citizens that redress which is IN
dispensable TO the continued friendly association
Of the two republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua
in the early part of the present year, rendered
it important that this government should have
diplomatic relations with that State. Through
r its territory had been opened one Of the princi-
: pal thoroughfares across the sthmus connecting
/ North and South America, on which a vast
, amount OF property was transported, and to
, which our citizens Iesorted in great numbers,
$ in passing between the Atlantic ard Pacific
coasts of the United States. The protection of
/ both required that the existing power in that
state should he regarded as responsible govern
, ment; and its minister was accordingly received.
0 But he remained here only short time. Soon
thereafter the political affairs of Nicaragua I'm
I derwent an uniavoTabe change, and became in
t volved in much uncertainty and confusion. Di-
= plomatc representatives from two contend n ,
} parties have been recently sent to this govern
ment; but with the imperfect information pos
sessed, it was not possible to decide which was
the government de facto; and awaiting further
dcve,opments,I have refused TO receive either.
Questions OF the most serious nature al e pen
f ding between the United States and the ReIub-
G lie of New Granada The government of that
Republic undertook, year since, to impose ton
ace duties on foreign vessels in her ports, but
tie purpose was resisted by this government, as
being contrary to existing treaty stipulation
r with the United States, and to rights conferred
e by charter upon the Panama Railroad Company
- and was accordingly relinquished at that time
- it being admitted that our vessels were entitled
? to be exempt from Tonnage duty in the free ports
/ of Panama and AspinWall. But the purpose
has been recently revived, on the part of New
t Granada by the enactment Of law to subject
vessels visiting her ports to the tonnage duty of
s forty cents per tom and although the law has
not been put in force, yet the right to enforce it
Iic Sii oCSnrtn1 ms n n
s on by the government Of that Republic.
i The Congress of New Grenada has also en-.
): acted law, during the last year, which leves a
t tax gilmore than three dollars on every pound of
q mail matter across the lSthmus. The SUN
y thus required to be paid on the mails Of the Uni.
@ ted States would be nearly two millions of dol
e lars annually, in addition to the large sum paya-
be by contract to the Panama Railroad Compa-
n n.y. If the only objection to this exaction were
= the exorbitancy ofits amount, it could not bo
n submitted to by the United States.
The imposition of it, however, would obvious
c " contravene our treaty with New Grenada,
n, and infringe the contract of that republic with
l. the Panapla Railroad Company. The law pro-
J. vding for this tax was by its terms, to take eff
l., feet on the first of September last but the local
is authorities on the Isthmus have been induced to
rs suspend its execution and to await further in
s SJruCtlOnS OH le sljGCC lEoIu tc EONeIuLlellb VI
s. the republic. am not yet advised Of the deter
ID mination of that government. LA measure SC
f extraordinary in its character, and so clearly
f contrary to treaty stipulations, and the con.
of tract rights ofthe Panama Railroad Company
n- composed mostly of American citizens, should
" be persisted n it will be the duty OF the United
V. States to resist its execution.
le Iregl ct exceedingly that occasion exists in
i vite your intention to a subject Of still gravel
l. import in our relations with the Republic of New
k Grenada. On the 10Th day of April last q riot
ly Gus assemblage of the inhabitants Of Panam
c. committed violent and outrageous attack Of
j. the premises and the passengers and other per
n sons in or near the same, involving the death 0
a several citizens of the United States, the page
as oiSlhany Others, and the destruction of larg
e amount of property belonging to the raroat
r. company | caused full investigation of tina
ms event to be made and the result shows satis@o
,e torly that complete responsibility for what oc
is cured attaches to the government Of New Gra
he NADIA. have therefore, demanded Of that GOV
of ernment that the perpetrators Of of the wrong
,ir in question should be punished; that provisio
p- should be made for the families Of citizens of th
p- United States who were killed, with full inden
he nifty for the property pillaged or destroyed.
D. The present condition Ct the Isthmus Of Pal
en- ANA in so far as regards the security ofpcrsol
le, and property passing over it. requires seriO
alf consideration Recent incidents tend to sho
ro- that the local authorit les cannot be relied
It to maintain the public peace Of Panama, al
on there is just ground for apprehension that pc
,de ton of the inhabitants are meditating turth
IN outrages, without adequate measures for {