Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1856-12-11

f'S~ ""c seotoscu W this SO'ctumSus, d.
being contrary to existing treaty s,ipu-
lstion with the United States. end to
rights conferred by charter upon the Pam
anna Railroad Company. and WINS accor.
dinghy relinquished at that time, it being
admitted that our vessels were entitled
10 be exempt from tonnage duty in the
free ports of Panama and Aspinwsll But
the purpose has been recently revived.
on the part Of New Grenada. by the en-
actment of a law to subject vessels visit
ing her ports TO the tonnage duty of for
ty cents per ton; and. although the law
has not been put in force. yet the right
TO enforce il is still asserted. and may al
any time. be acted upon BY the govern
ment of that republic.
The Congress of New Grenada. has also
enacted law. during the last year, which
levies tax of more than three dollars
on every pound Of mail matter transpor
ted across the Isthmus. The sum thus
required to be paid on the mnils of the
United States would be nearly two mil
lions of dollars annually. in addition to
the Panama Railroad Company. Ii the
only objection to this exaction were
the exorbitancy Of its amount. il could
not be submitted to by the United
Sta ties.
The imposition of it. however, would
New Grenada. aud infringe the contract
Of that republic with the Panama Rail-
road Company The law providing for
this tax was by. its terms. to take effe CT
on the first of September Inst, hut the
local authorities on the is,hmus have
been induced TO suspend its execution,
and TO await further instructions from
the government OF the republic. | am
not yet advised Of the Determination OF
that government II a measure SO extra
ordinary in lis character. and so clearly
contrary 10 treaty stipulations. and the
couirsc. rights of the Panama Railroad
Company. composed mostly of American
I citizens should be persisted in. it will be
the duty of the United States 10 resist its
execution.
regret exceedingly that occasion ex.
lists to invite your attention TO a subject
of still graver import in our relations
with the Republic OF New Grenada. -
On the fifteenth day OF Apri! last. a ri.
otous ssemblage of The inha biitsns Of
Panama committsd vi lent and ouira
geous attack Oh the premises of the Rail
road Company. and The passengers anu
other PERSONS in or near the same invol-
wing the death of several ciiizr rs of The
United States, the pi.lage OF many others
and the destruction Of large amount o
property belonging 10 the rsilroad com
psny. caused full. investigation o
that event 20 be made. aud the resnl
shows satisfactorily that complete re-
sponsloility Tor what occurred at,schei
to the government of New Grenada.
have. therefore, demanded of that gov
eminent that the perpetrators OF ,h'
wrongs in question should be punished
that provision should be mace for IN,
families OF cit,zsns of the United Stair
who were killed, with full indie mniiy 70
the property piIl.ged or destroyed.
The present condition Of the lsihmu
of Psuama, is SO far as regards the secu
ri,y of persons aud property passing owe
it, requires serious Consideration. Re
cent incidents end TO show that the loca
authorities cannot be relied on TO main
tain the public peace Of Panama, an
there is just cause for apprehension tbs
a portion of the Inhabitants are mrdita
ting further outrsges. without acequet
measures for the security and proteetio
Of persons or property having been take
5 either by the State of Panama, or By tn
. general government Of New Grenada.
Under the guarantees of treaty. citizen
of the United States have by an outlay {
5 several millions of dollars. constructed
Railroad across The lsihmus. and 1t Ia
: become the main route between our Al
lantic and Pacific possessions. owe
I which muititudes OF our citizens and
E vast amount Of property are CONSTANT
passing-to The security and proteciio
5 OF all which, and the coniuaace oil III
! puplic advantages involved. it IS impo'
s BILE for The government oil the Cnite
J States to be Indifferent,
I Isbave deemed the danger OF the n
0 curfpnce OF scenes Of lawless violence
this quarter. SO imminent as TO make
T. nv duly TO station q part OF our nav'
i force in the har5or Of Panama and Al
!, pinwall. in order to protect the person
and property pfthe citizens of the Unite
\ States in those ports and 10 insure to thel
+ s,fr passage across the isthmus. And
would. in my judgement, be unwise
e withdraw the naval force now in tho;
n ports, until, by the spontaneous action
2 the republic of New Grenada or olhe
: wise. s,me adequate arrangement sha
= have been maze for The protection an
}. serurity OF line of inter-oceanic con
e munlco;ion so importent al this tim
s MT to the United States only, but to a
d o,her maritime States both of Europe ar
J. America.
Meanwhile. negotiations have bee
n instituted by means Of special commi
} sion. TO obtain from New Grenada fu
indemnity for injuries sustained By OF
citizens on the ls,hmus. and satislaclsl
s security for the genera. interests Of I'll
United States
In addressing 10 you nv last snnu
!. messags. the occasion seems to me an al
IS propirate oae 10 express my congralu'
IS ton ia view of the peace. greatness, al
g felicity which the United States no
g posse Q and enjoy. To point you to Il
n state Of the various departments Of Il
II government. and of all the great branch