The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-26
MGREGOR, FRIDAY, DEC. 26, 1856

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, how
ever, that the Emperor of Russia has en-
.irely and explicitly approved of that modi-
ticaton, and will cooperate in endeavor-
ing TO obtain the assent Of other powers
and that assurances of similar purport
have been received in relation to the dis
position of the Emperor of the French.
The present aspect of this important
subject allows us to cherish the hope that
a 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 COM
mand the appreciation of all maritime
powers, and thus be Incorporated into the
code of international law.
My views on the subject are more fully
set forth in the reply OF the Secretary of
State, copy of which is herewith trans
mitted, to the communications on the SUBJ
ject made to this government, especially to
the communication of France.
The government of the United States
has at all times regarded with friendly in
terest the other States of America, for
merly, like this country, European colo
nies, and now independent members of
the great family of nations. But the un-
settled condition of some of them, dis
tracted by frequent revolutions, and thus
incapable of regular and firm internal ad-
ministration, has tended to embarrass oc-
casionally our public intercourse, by rea-
son 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 complaints are most numerous
and, although earnestly urged upon its
attention, they have not as yet received the
consideration which this government had
a right to expect. While reparation for
pas injuries has been withheld others
have been added. The political condition
of that country. however, has been such
as to demand forbearanca on the part of
the United Sta.es. l shall continue my
efforts TO procure for the wrongs of our
citizens that redress which is lndispen-
sably 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 gov
ernment should have diplomatic relations
with that STATE. Through its territory
had been opened one of the principal thor
oughiares across the isthmus connecting
, North and South America, on which 4
) vast amount of property was transported,
| and to which our citizens resorted in grea,
: numbers in passing between the Atlantic
. and Pacific coasts of the United States
The protection of both required that the
) exis ing power in tlat State should be re.
: garded as Il responsible government and
. lis minister was accordingly received
r But he remained here only short time
, Soon thereafter the political affairs of nj
t caragua underwent untavorable changes
) and became involved in much uncertainty
, and confusion. Diplomatic representa-
, lives from two contending parties have
, been recently sent to this government
= but, with the imperfect information pos
: sessed. it was not possible to decide which
] was the government de tacto and, await
| ing further developments, have refused
: to receive either.
, Questions of the most serious nature
l are pending between the United States
t and the republic of New Granada. Th,
i government of that republic undertook
: Il year since, to impose tonnage duties Oh
e. foreign vessels in her ports, but the pur
: pose was resisted by this government, al
!, being contrary to existing treaty stipula
e tion with the United States, and to right
e conferred by charter upon the Panam
J, Railroad Company, and was accordingl,
l relinquished at that time, it being admit
: ted that our vessels were entitled to be ex
$ empt from tonnage duty in the free port
e of Panama and Aspinwall. But the pur
: pose has been recently revived. on tn
e part of New Granada, by the enactmen
: Of law to subject vessels visiting he
e ports to the tonnage duty of forty cent
J, per ton; and, although the law has no
e been put in force. yet the right to enforc
G it is still asserted, and may, at any time
: be acted on by the government Of tina
). republic.
It The Congress Of New Granada has ais
i enacted law during the last year whicl
l. levies tax of more than three dollars o.
e every pound of mail matter transporte'
e across the isthmus. The sum thus re
J qaired to be paid on the mails of the U
s. would be nearly two million dollars an
g nually. in addition to the large sum pay
e able by contract to the Panama Railroa
If Company. If the only objection to thi
e exacyion were the exorbitancy of it
y amount. it could not be submitted to b
e the United States.
IS The imposition of it, however, woul
} obviously contravene our treaty with Ne,
}. Granada, and infringe the contract of ths
d republic with the Panama Railroad Com
d pany. The law providing for this ia
l. was, by lis terms, to take effect on tn
IF first of Sep, ,ember last; but the local al
N thorilies on the isthmus have been Undue