Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-10
The RAJ TsmANss JOURNAL.

ture. To effect this object, il is proposed to
add to the declaration that s'privateering is
and remains abolished" the following amend
ment ssAnd that the private property of sub
! iects ard citizens of beligerent on the high
! seas shall be exempt from seizure by the arm
ed vessels of the other bellIgerent, except it
| be contrabrand.'' This amendment has been
presented not only to the powers which have
asked our assent TO the declaration to abolish
! priyateering. but to all other maratme states.
| Thus far il has not been rejected by any, and
| is favorably entertained by all which have
made any communication in reply.
Several of the governments, regarding with
! favor the proposition of the United States.
| have delayed definite action upon it, only for
| the purpose OF consulting with others, parties
| to the conference at Paris. l have the salts
| faction of stating, however, that the Emperor
of Russia has entirely and explicitly approved
! of that modification, and will CO. operate in en-
deavoring to obtain the assent of other pow
ers; and that assurance of similar purport
! have been received in relation TO the disposi-
| ton 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 so consonant to the
sentiments of this enlightened period of the
world will command the appreciation of all
| p1aratime powers, and thus be Incorporated in
!
Nv views on the subject are more fully set forth
in the reply of the Secretary of the State. copy
! of which is here transmitted, to the cOmmunica-
/ tions on the subject made to this government
pecialy to the communication OF France
| The government of the United States has at all
! times regarded with friendly interest the Other
States of America formerly, like this country, Eu-
| ropean colonies and now Independent members of
the great family of nations but the unsettled con-
| dition of some of them, distracted by frequent
revolutions and thus inca pable of regular aad firm
/ internal administration. fastened to embaTrass
occasionally our public 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 Mex
leo. with which 1t is our special desire TO maintain
/ good understanding. that such complaints are
/ most numerous; and although earnestly urged
upon his attention they have not as yet received
/ the consideration which this government had a
right to expect. While reparatiOn for past injuries
/ has been withheld, others have been added. he
political condition Of that country, however. has
been such as 10 demand forbearance on the part OF
! the United States. / shall continue my efforts to
procure for the wrongs of citizens that redress
which is indispensable 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 dip
! lonlatic relations with that State. Through
its territory has been opened one Of the prin-
! cipa thoroughfarcs across the isthmus con-
| Meeting North and South America, which
I
| to which our citizens rcs0rtcd in great num-
| bers in passing between the Atlantic and Pa
cifc coasts of the United States.
The protection of both required that the ex-
| listing power in that State should be regarded
as a responsible government; and its minister
was accordingly received. But he remained
| here only short time. Soon thereafter the
political affairs of \ icaragua underwent unfa-
vorable change, and became Involved in much
! uncertainty and confusion.
| Diplomatic representatives, from two con-
| tending parties have been recently sent to this
government; but with the imperfect intOrma-
| tIon possessed, it was not possible to decide
| which was the government de facto: and await
| ing further developements l have refused TO
| receive either.
Questions of the most serious nature
| pending between the United States and the Re-
public of New Granada. The government of
| that Republic undertook 4 year since, TO i'm
pose tonnage on foreign vessels in her ports,
| but the purpose was resisted by this govern
mcnt, as being contrary TO existing treaty stp-
ulations with the United States, and TO rights
| conferred by charter upon the Panama Rail-
| road Company and was accordingly rclnquish-
| cd at that time, ii being admitted that our yes
| sells were entitled to be exempt from tonnage
! duty in the free ports of Panama and AspIn-
wall But the purpose has been recently re-
viyed on the part of New Granada, 10y the
| actment Of law to subject vessels visiting her
| ports 10 the tonnage uutN tI lOity cents per
| ton and, although the law has not been put in
force, yet the right to enforce it is still assert
ed, and may, at any time, he acted on by the
! government OF that Republic.
| The Congress OF New Granada had also en-
acted II law, during the last year, which eves
| tax Of more than three dollars on every pound
| of mail matter transported across the ISihmus.
| The sum thus required TO be paid the mails
| of the United States would be nearly two mil
| lions of dollars annually. in addition q thp
| large sum payable by contract to the Panama
| Railroad Company. Ii the only objection 10
this exactiOn were the cXhorbitancy of its a.
mount, it could not be submitted TO by the u
| mite States.
The imposition, however. would obviously
contravene treaty with New Granada, and
| infringe the contract of that Republic with the
| Panama Railroad Company. The law provid-
ing for this tax was, 10y its terms to take effect
on the first of September last but the local
| authorities on the Isthmus have been induced
| to suspend its execution, and to wait further
| instruction on the subject from the government
of the Republic. / am not yet advised of the
determination of that government. If mea-
sure so extraordinary in its character, and so
clearly contrary to treaty Stipulations, and the
contract rights of the Panama Railroad Com
pany. composed mostly of American citizens
should be persisted in, it will be the duty of
the United States to resist its execution.
! regret exceedingly that occasion exists to
! invite your attention to a subject of still
greater import i'm our relations with the Re-
| public of New Granada. On the 18th day of
April last, n rIotous asscmblage of the inliab-
tants of Panama committed violent and out
rageous attack on the premises of the Rail
road Company, and the passengers and other
persons in or near the same, involving the
death of several citizens of the United States
the pillage ofmany others, and the destruction
| of large amount of property belonrinn 70 tho