The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-12-12
made any communicated in reply.

/
the proposition OF the United States, have delayed
definite action upon it, only for the purpose OF con-
suting with others, parties 70 the conference oi Faf
is. have the satisfaction of stating, however, that
! the Emperor of Russia has entirely and expiclily
approved of that notifications and will cooperate in
/ endeasoring to obtain the assent Of other powers
and that assurances Of similar purpott have been
received in ISOLATION 10 the disposition OF the bmpe-
+ ror Of the French.
The present aspect of this important spbIect al
| lows us 10 cherish the hope that principle so hu-
name in its character, so just and equal Hs opera
ton, essential 10 the prosperity OF commere a ma
tions and SO consaHt TO the sentiments of this en-
| lightened period ofthe world, will command the APP
probation OF all ruaratime powers and thus be incof-
porated into the code OF international law.
NV views the snbject are more fully set forth
| in the reply OF the Secretary of State, copy OF
which is herewith transmitted, TO the communca-
tions the subject made this government, especial
| ly 10 the communication of France.
4 The government of the United States has al all
times regarded with friendly interest the other
States of America formerly, like this country, Euro
pean colonies, and independent members Of the
great family of NAT ions. But the unsettled condition
of some ofthem, distracted By frequent revolutions,
and thus Incapable OF regular and fFm internal admin
s;ration has tended 10 embrarrass occasionally our
| public intercourse, by of wrongs which our
citizens suffer at their hands, and which they are
slow 10 redress.
Unfortunately il is against the Republic of Mexi-
co, with which il is our specia. desire TO maintain
good understanding, that such complaints most
numerous, and although earnestly urged upon its al
teaton. they have not yet received the consdera
! tion which this government had right 10 exprct.
While PREPARATION for past injuries has been withheld,
others have been added. The political condition OF
that country, however, has been such 10 demand
forbearance the part ofthe United States shall
continue my ednts 10 procure for the wrongs Of our
citizens that redress which is Indispensable to the
continued friendly assoc ciation OF the two RePpb-
/ lies.
The peculiar condition Of affairs in Nicaragua in
the early part o the present year. rendered II imPor
! ant that thls government should have diplomatic
relations with thai State. Through lis territory had
been opened OF the principal thoronghares across
| the isthmus connecting North and South America,
on which vast amount OF property ransp ported,
and 10 which citizens Teeorted IN great numbers,
| in passing between the Atlantic and Pacific COASTS
! of the United States. The protection of both re-
quIred that the existing power that state should
| be regarded ; responsible government; aad its
minister accordingly received. But he remain
ed here only short time. Soon thereafter the po-
tical affairs of Nicaragua underwent unfavorable
| change and became involved in much uncertainty
I and confusion. Diplomatic representatives. from two
conending parties have been recently to this
government; but, with the imperfect information
possessed, ii not possible TO decide which was
the government ne f1cto and, awaiting further de-
| velopments, have refused TO receive either
Questions of the most serious nature pending
between the United States and the Republic of New
Grenada. The government OF that republic under
took, year sinre, impose onase duties on foreign
vessels in her ports, bat the purpose resisted by
this government as heing contrary 10 existing treaty
stipulation with the United Sale<, and to rights
/ erred by charter upon the Panama Railroad Compa-
/ ny, and accordingly reIinqu he'd at that time,
il being admitted that vessels entitled TO
be exempt from tonnage duty in the free ports OF Pam
anna and Aspnwall But The purpose has been re-
Gently revived, the part OF New Granada by the
enactment of law to subject vessels visiting her
ports to the tonnage duty Of forty cents per ton
and, although the law nus been pnt in forces yet
Z T4.Vht rfaI NAV
at any time, be acted on by the government OF that
republic.
The Congress of New Grenada has also enacted a
law, during tae last year, which evles tax of more
than three dollars eyery pound of mail matter
transported across the Isthmus. The sum thns
qurei TO be paid on the mails of the United States
would be nearly two millions of dollars annually, in
addition TO the large sum papaby by contract 10 the
Panama Railroad Company. n the only objection to
this exaction were the exorbilancy OF its amount II
could not be submitted TO by the United States
The imposition Of il, however would obviously |
contravine our treaty with New Granada, and in /
fringe the contract of that republic with the Panaa
Railroad Company. The law providing for this tax
was by its terms, TO take effect the FIRST OF Sep
tembpr laSl, but the local authorities the isthmus
have been induced TO suspend its execution, and 10
wait for further instructions the subject from the
government of the republic. | yet advised of /
/ the determination of that government. II mea-
sure 20 extraordinary in its character, and clearly
contrary 10 treaty stipula'ions, and the contract
rights of the Panama Railroad Company, composed
mostly Of Arrrre can citizens. should be persisted in
it i'll be the duty OF the United States resist
/ execution.
regret exceedingly hat occasion exists 10 invite
yonr attention TO subject of stl grayer import in
our relations with the Republic OF New GFenada a-
On the 9Th day of April last semblage OF
the inhabitants of Panama committed violent and
outrageous attack on the premises of thr railroad
company, and the passengers and other persons in
near the same. involving the death of several citizens
of United Stntes the pilaUe Of many others and
the destruction of large amount Of property belong
ing the railroad company.
caused full Investigation of that event to be /
made and the Trsut shows satisfactorily that com
pete responsibility for what occurred attaches 10 the
government of New Grenada. have, therefore
demanded of that government that the perpetrators
, OF the wrongs ~ question should be punished that
provision shonid be made for the families o rlszrns
Of the United States who were killed, with foil
ldemnity for the property pillaged or destroyed
The present condition of the lsthmus of Panama.
in far regards the security Of persons and pro-
pefy passing over il, requires serious consideration
Recent incidents tend show that the local auhori
ties cannot be relied upon to maintain the public I
peace of Panama. and there is Just ground for apRre-
hension that portion of the inhabitants medfa-
ting further outrages without adequate measures for
the security and protection of persons properly
having been taken, either by the State of Panama.
or by the general government of New Grenada.
Under the guarantees of treaty, citizens of the e.
nted States have, by the outlay of several millions
of dollars, constructed railroad across the lsthmus
and Il has become the main route between our At
antIc and Pacific possessions. which nultlfHes
ol our citizens and vast amount OF property are
constantly passngto the security and protection OF
all which, and The continuance of the public adyan-
ages involved, it is npo~s ~sbla for the government
OF the United States 10 be Indifferent.
have deemed the danger of the recurrence of
sceaes OF lawle>s violence in this quarter 20 umi-
nent to make il my duty station part of our
naval force in the harbors of Panama and A-pnwaII