Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-12-04

standing that such complaints are most numerous and
although earnestly urged upon its attention they not
as yet received the attention which this had
right to expect While reparaton for past injuries has
been withheld others have been added The political CON
mand forbearance on the part of the United States shall
continue my efforts to procure for the rongs of our citi
zens that redress which is Indispensable to the continued
Friendly association OF the two Republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua in the
carry part OF the present year. rendered important that
this Government should have diplomatic relations with
tat state through its territory had been opened
the principal thorougares the isthmus connect
ing North and South America, which amount Of
properly was transported and to which citizens
sorted in great numbers in passing between the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts of the United States The protection
OF both required that the existing power that State
should be regarded responsible Government: and is
Minister was accordingly received. But he remained here
only short time.
Soon thereafter the political affairs of Nicaragua uncr
went unavorabe change, and became involved in much
uncertainty and confusion. Diplomatic representatives
o tW0 c0nending parties have been recently sent to
this Government but with the imperfect information
possessed it not possible decide which was the Go
vernment de fcto and awaiting further devekmmenS
| have refused to receive either.
Questions OF the most serioes nature are penng be-
tween the United States and the Republic of New Grna
da The Government of that Republic undertook a year
since to impose tunnage duties foreign vessels in her
ports but the purpose resisted by this Government
eg contrary TO existing treaty stipulation with the
United States and to rights conferred by charter upon the
| Panama Raroad Company, and accordingly relin
pushed at that time it being admitted that our vessels
were exempt from tunnage duty in the free ports Of Pan
anna and ASplnwal. But the purpose has been recently
revived the part of New Granada by the enactment Of
law to subject vessels visiting her ports to the tunpspc
duty Of 40 cents per tun and although the law as not
been in force yet the right tn intorce it is still asserted
and may at any time, be acted by the Government of
| that Republic.
The Congress of New Granada has also enacted law
durs the last year, which levies tag of than 50
on every pound OF mail matter transported the 18th
mus Inc sum thus required to he paid the mails of
the United States would be nearly 81 O0O annually
IN addition to the large payable by contract to the
Panama Railroad Company. If the only objection to this
were the eXOrDtancy OF Its il coud
be submitted to by the United States
The imposition OF it, however would obviously contra
vene our treaty with New Granada and infringe the con
tract of that republic with the Panama Railroad Compa
ny The law providing for this tax was by its terms to
take effect the first of September last but the local
thores the thmus have been induced to suspend its
execution and to await further instructions on the sub
Ject from the Government of the republic am not vet
advised OF the determination of that Government. If
measure so extraordinary in its character and clearly
contrary to treaty stpuations and the contract of the Pa
mama haroad Company, composed mostly of American
cltZeS, should be persisted will be the duty the
United States to resist its execution.
regret exceedingly that occasion exists to invite vOnr
attention 10 subject Of still graver import in relations
with the Republic OF New Granada the 18th dav of
April last riotoas assembage of the inhabitants Pan
ANA committed violent and outrageous attack on the
premises of the Railroad Company, and the passengers
and other in the same involving the death
Of several citizens of the United States plage
ny oher ana the destruction OF large amount OF pro-
perty belonging to the Railroad Company.
81 caused full nve tation of that event to be made and
the result shows satisfactorily that complete responsible
y for what occurred attaches to the Government of New
Granada have, therefore, demanded of that Govern
ment that the perpetrators of the wrongs in question
should be punished that provision should he made for
the families of citizens of the United States who were kill
ed with full indemnity for the property paged des
troyed.
The present condition the Isthmus of Panama in so
far As regards the security Of persons property passing
over 1t, requires serious consideration Recent incidents
tend TO show that the local authorities relied on
to maintain the pubc peace of Panama aud there just
ground for apprehension that portion of the inhabitants
are mcditang further ourage without adequate meas
ures tor the protection and security of persons proper
y having been taken either by the state of Panama
by the General Government of New Granada.
Under the guarantees of treaties citizens of the United
States have by the outlay of several millions dollars
constructed railroad across the Ithmus and II has be-
come the main route between Atlantic and Pacific
possessions which multitudes of citizens and
vast amount of property constantly pa,sng-to the
security and protection of all which and the continuance
of the public advantages involved it is impossible for the
Government of the United States to be indifferent.
have deemed the danger OF the of of
awless violence In this quarter imminent make
my duty to station part OF naval forces the harborS
OF Panama ard Apnwa in order protect the persons
property the citizens of the United States in those
pors and to insure thcmafe passa the sthus
Aad would in my Judgment he unwsc to withdraw the
noval force now in those ports until by the spontaneous
action OF the Republic al New Granada otherwise.
adequate shall have been made for the pro-
lection and security OF line of intcroceanic comnunica
ton SO J0rant at this time 10 the United State.
only but to all other Maritime States both OF EGr"pe and
America.
Meanwhile negotiations have been instituted by means
OF special commission. to aba from New Granada full
indemnity for injuries sustained by citizens on the
Isthms and satisfactory security for the general interests
of the Cnitel States
In addressing to you my last annual message the
sion seems to M an appropriate to express my
gTatuati"ns IN view OF the peace greatness and felicity
which the United States now possess and enjoy.
To point You to the state the various Departments of
the Government and of all the great branches of the pub
lie service, civil and military in order to speak of the in
e'gence ard integrity which pcrvades the whole would
he to indicate but imperfertly the administrative condition
OF the country and the beneficial effects of that the
general welfare Nor would it suffice to say that the
ton actually at peace at home and abroad thlt its
industrial interests prosperous that the of
its mariners wtenS every sea and the plough of its hus
bnmen is hing onward the blondless conquest of
ls Continent that cities and populous States spring
up, II by enchantRent, from the bosom of west
wldS and that the courageous energy of people
making of these United States the Great Republic OF the
world.
These results hive not been attained without passing
through trials and perlS by experience of which and thus
only, ratons harden into manhood. Oar foreathers
were trained to the wisdom which conceived and the
rage which achieved Independence by the circumstances
which surrounded them and they thus made caps
bic of the creation of the Republic. 1t dcvoved the
next generation to consolidate the work of the Revolution
to deliver the country entirely from the influence of
hicting transatlantic partaCs antipaticS, which
tached to colonial history and To organize the prac
cal operal N OF the and legal institutions of
the Union
To of this generation remains the not less noble task
OF maintaining and extending the power of the United
States We We at length reached that stage of the
tiona in which the dangers to be encountered and
the eXert;ons to be made the Incidents not of weak
atmper power to the less happy condition of other
republics in America and to place ourselves the calm
ness and ms dignity ot right ny the side OF the great
est and weahiest of the empires of Europe.
In domestic relations have guard against the
shock of the d ntents the ambitions the interests and
the exutcran and therefore sometimes irregular mpu
of opinion nf action which the natural product
of the present political elevation the seeliancc and the
restless spirit of enterprise of the United States.
shall prepare surrender the Executive trust to my
successor and retire to private life with sentiments of pro-
found gratitude to the good Providence which during the
period of my Administration has yOuchsfed carry the
country through many difficulties, domestic and foreign,
and to enable to contemplate the spectacle of amchc
and respectful relations between ours and all other Gov
enments and the establishment of constitutional order
and tranquility throughout the Union.
FRANKLIN PIERCE. |
WASHINGTON December ,, 1856.