Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-12-18


from seizure by the public armed vessels Of
The other belligerent, except il be contra
band" This amendment has been present
ed not only to the powers which have asked
our assent to the declaration to abolish pri-
watering, but 10 all other maritime states.
Thus far it 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 9TH
ers, parties to the conference OF Paris. |
have the satisfaction of stating however, that
the Emperor Of Russia has entirely and ex-
plicitly approved Of that modification, and
will cooperate in endeavoring to obtain the
assent of other powers; and that assurances
OF similar purport have been received in
relation to the disposition of the Emperor of
the French.
The present aspect of this important sub.
ject allows us to cherish hope that prin-
cple so humane in its character, so Just and
equal in its opei alton, so essential to the
prosperity Of commercial nations, and SO con-
sonant to the sentiments of this enlightened
period Of the world, will command the ap-
probation of all maritime powers, and thus
be incorporated into the code Of information
al law.
My views on the subject are more fully
set forth in the reply of the Secretary OF
State, a copy of which is herewith transmit
ted, TO the communications on this subject
made 70 this government, especially to the
COMMUNICATIONS of France.
.e CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
The government Of the United States has
at all times regarded with friendly interest
the other States of America, formerly like
this country, European colonies, and now
Independent members of the great family of
nations. But the unsettled condition of some
of them, distracted by frequent revolutions,
and thus incapable Of regular and firm inter-
nal administration, has tended to embarrass
occasionally 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 il is our special de-
sire to maintain good understanding, that
such complaints are most numerous; and al
though earnestly urged upon its attention,
they have not as yet received the conSidera-
tion which this government had a right to
ext ect. While reparatlon for past injuries
has been Withheld, others have been added.
The political condition of that country, how
ever has been such as TO demand forbearanne
on the part Of the United States. shall con-
tinue my efforts TO procure for the wrongs
of our citizenss that redress which is indis-
pensabe to the continued friendly associa-
tions OF the two republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs in Near
rgua in the early part of the present year,
rendered it important thrt this government
should have diplomatic relations with that
State. Though its territory had been OPEN
ed one of the principal thoroughiares across
the isthmus connecting North and South
America, on which vast amount of prop
erty was transported, and to which our cit
izens resorted in great numbers, in passing
between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF
the United States. The protection of both
required that The existing power in that
State should be regarded as a responsible
government; and its minister was accord
ingly received. But he reu aimed here only
a short time. Soon thereafter the political
affairs of Nicaragua underwent untavorable
change, and became involved in much un-
certainty and confusion. Diplomatic repre-
sentatives from two contending parties have
been recently sent to this governments; but,
with the imperfect information possessed, it
was not possible TO decide which was the
government de tacto; and, awaiting further
developments | have refused to receive
either. .........
Questions of the most serious nature are
pending between the United States and the
Republic OF Granada. The government of
that republic, undertook, n year since, to
impose Tonnage duties on foreign vessels in
her port, but the purchase was resisted by
this government, as being controry to exist
ing treaty stipulation the United States,
and to rights conferred by charter upon the
Panama Railroad Company, and was ac-
cordingly relinquished al that time, il being
admitted that our vessels were entitled to
be exempt from tonnage duty in the free
ports of Panama and Aspinwall. But the
purpose has been recently revived, on 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 has not been put in
force, yet the right TO enforce it is still as
serted, and may, at any time, be acted on by
the government of the republic
The Congress of New Granada has also
enacted law, during the last year, which
levies tax Of more than three dollars on
every pound OF mail matter transported
across the Isthmus. The sum thus required
to be paid on the mails of the United States
would be nearly two millions of dollars an
nually, in addition to the large sum payable
by contract to the Panama Railroad Compa-
ny. If the only objection to this exaction
were the exorbitancy OF its amount, it could
not be submitted to by the United States.
The imposition of it, however, would OBJ
viously contravine our treaty with New
Granada, and infringe the contract of that
republic with the Panama Railroad Compa-
ny. The law providing for this tax was,
by its terms, to take effect on the drst of