Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-10


tory had been opened OF the principal thorough
fares across the isthmus, connecting N0rth ant
: South America, on which vast amount OF proper
ty was transported, and to which our citizens re
sorted in great numbers, in passing between the AZ
lantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Ih
protection of both required that the existing powe
iu that State shpuld be regarded as responsible
government and its minister was accordingly re
ceived But he remained here only short time
Soon thereafter the political affairs of Nicaragui
underwent unfayorable change, and became inyolv
ed in much uncertainty and confusion Diplomatic
representatives from two contending parties nave
been recently sent to this government; but, WITH
the imperfect information possessed, it was impos'
sibe TO decide which Wis the government dc Jaeto;
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 New
| Granada. The government OF that Republic un'
| dertook, year since, to impose tonnage duties on
foreign vessels in her ports but the purpose was Ie-
sisted by this government, as being contrary 10 ex-
istng treaty stipulation with the United States,
and to rights conferred by charter upon the Pana-
! me- Railroad Company, ard was accordingly relin-
ouished at that time, it being admitted that our
vessels were entitled to be exempt from tonnage
duty in the free ports OF Panama ana Aspinwah.L
But the purpose has been recently revived on tho
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 asserted, and may at any time be acted
on by the government Of that Republic.
The Congress of New Granana has also enacted
law during the last year, which evies tax OF more
than three dollars on every pound OF mail matter
transported across the lsthmus. The sum thus re-
quired to be paid the mails of the United States,
would be nearly two millions of dollars annually, in
addition to the large sum payable by contract to
the Panama Railroad Company. II the only obJec-
ton 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 obviously
contrayene our treaty with New Granaaa, and in
fringe the contract OF that Republic with the Pana-
ma Railroad Company. rhe law providing for this
tax was by its terms, to take effect on the rss OF
September last, but the local authorities on the
sthmus have been induced to suspend its execution,
and 70 await further instructions on the subject from
the government of the republic. am not yet ad-
vised of the determination of that government. II
a measure, SO extraordinary in its character, and
go clearly contrary to treaty stipulations ana the
contract rights Of the Panama Railroad Company,
composed mostly of American citizens, should be
persisted in it will be the duty Of the u States to
resist its execution
regret exceedingly that occasion exists to invite
your attention subject of still grayer import III
our relations with the Republic Of New Granada.--
On the fifteenth day Of April last riotous assem-
bage of the inhabitants of Panama committed vio-
lent and outrageous attack on the premises OF the
railroad company and the passengers and other per-
sons in or near the same involving the death OF sew
eral citizens Of the United States page OF many
Others and the destruction OF large amount OF pro.
perty belonging to the railroad company | caused
full investigation of that event to be made, and the
result shows satisfactorily that complete response
bility for what occurred attaches to the government
of New Granada. have, therefore, demanded ofths
government that the perpetrators OF the wrongs IN
Question should be punished that provision should
be made for the families of citizens OF the United
States who were killed, with full indemnity for the
property paged or destroyed
The present condition of the lsthmus of Panama,
in so far as regards the security of persons and pro-
perty passing over it, requires serious consideration
Recent incidents tend to show that the local author
ties cannot be relied to maintain the public peace
of Panama, and there is just ground for apprehen-
sion that portion of the inhabitants are medltalng
further outrages, without adequate measures for the
security and projection ofpersons andproperty hav-
ing been aken either by the State OF Panama, or by
the general government Of New Granada.
Under the guarantees Of treaty citizens of the Uni
ted States have by the outlay OF several millions of
dollars constructed railroad the lsthmus,
and il has become the main route between our At
lantic and Pacific possessions over which multitudes
of our citizens and vast amount OF property are
constantly passng-to the security and protection
of all which, and the continuance of the public ad-
vGntages involved it is impossible for the Govern
ment of the United States to be indifferent.
scenes of lawless violence in this quarter so immi-
nent as TO make it my duty to station part OF our
naval force in the harbors OF Panama and Aspnwali
in order to protect the persons and property OF the
citizens of the United States IN those ports ana 70
insure them safe passage across the lsthmus ana
it would, in my judgement, be unwlse to withdraw
the naval force in those ports UNTIL by the sponta-
neous action of the Republic Of New Granada, or
otherwise scme adequate arrangement shall nave
been made for the protection and security OF hne
sa mr.
me not to the United States only, but TO all other
maritime States both of Europe aud America
Meanwhile, negotiations have been instituted by
means of d special commission, to obtain from new
GIanada full idemnty for injuries sustained Dy our
citizens on the Isthmus and satisfactory security Tor
the general interests OF the United States.
In addressing to you my last annual message. the
occasion seems to me appropriate one to express
NV congratulations in view of the peace greatness,
and felicity which the United States now Possesses
and enjoys To point to you the state of tne various
departments of the government, and OF all the great
branches of the public service, civil and military IN
order 10 sneak Of the intelligence and integrity which
pervades the whole would be to indicate imperiectly
The administrative condition OF the country, ana the
beneficial effects of that the general welfare Nor
would il suffice 10 say that the nation is actually at
neace a, home and abroad that lis industrial inter-
ess are prosperous that the canvass OF It's mariners
whi,ens every sea; and the plough OF It's husband
men is marching steadily onward to the bloodiess
States sre springing up, by !meni from the
bo,om of our Western wilds and that the courageous
energy of our people is making these Unted states
the great republic of the world. THESE results nave
not Leen attained without passing through Trials ana
perils. by experience of which, and thus only, ma
lions can harden into manhood. Our forefatners
were trained 10 the wisdom which conceived, ana
the courage which achieved independenceb by the cir-
cumstances which surrounded then ana tbey were
thus made CAPABLE of the creation of this republic
I. cd IN
the work of the revolution, TO deliver ihe couIL!
entirely from the influences OF conllcung trahsaiun
tic partalites or antipahes which attached 10 our
colonial and revolutionary history, ana 10 orga%e
Tho nracical operation of the constitutional and
lega institutions of the Union. To US ihis genera
tion remains the not less noble task OF inaihtaLnS
and extending the power OF The United States. We
have AT length, reached the stage OF tie hatiohai
career IN which the dangers To be encountered, ana
tbe eyerions to be made, the incidents, not oil
weakness but of strength In our foreign relations,
we have to attemper our power 10 the less naPpy
condition of other republics IN America ana 10 pace
ourselves in the calmness and conscious dignity OF
r;oht by the side of the greatest and wealtiest oil
the empires of Europe. In our domestic relations,
we have 10 guard against the shock OF The discon-
tents the ambitious, the interests, and the exuberant
and therefore, sometimes irregular impulses oi o.
ninion or OF action which are the natural product
of the present political elevation, the sereance and
the restless spirit OF enterprise, OF The people OF the
United States u, ut. 80.
shall prepare to surrender tie Executive trust TO
my successor and retire TO private lite, with senI
ments Of profound gratitude to the good Providence
which during the period of my administration, has
youchsafed to carry the country through many diff
cuties domestic and foreign and TO enable me TO con
template the spectacle of amicable aud respectful
relations between ours and all other governments and
the esablismen; of constitutional order and tranquil
ty throughout the Union. -
WASHINGTON, Dec g 1856.
A SILVER CHAMBRR.-The Sultan of Turkey i
huiidin1 a silver CHAMBER the furniture and An