Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-01-11
TIT PRESIDENTS NEssAGl.


Fslioso- Cifizens Of He Senate
q. and House Of Representatives.:
The constitution Of the United
States provides that Congress shall
assemble annually on the drst Monday
OF December. and Il has been usual for
the President TO make no communica-
ton Of a public character TO the Senate
and House Of Representatives until
advised Of their readiness TO receive
IL. Ihave deferred TO this usag un-
Ill the close OF the FIRST month Of the
session. but my convictions Of duty
will not permit me longer TO postpone
the discharge of the obligation enjoin-
ell 6y the constitution upon the Presl-
dent "to give to the Congress infor-
nation Of the state Of the Union. and
recommend TO their consideration
such measures as he shall judge nee
essary and expedient."
Ii Is a matter Of congratulation that
the Republic is TRANQUILITY advancing
in career Of prosperity and peace.
FOREIGN RELATIoNs-cENrRAL AMERICA.
Whilst relations Of amity continue
to exist between the United States
and all foreign powers. with some OF
them grave questions are depending,
which may require the considerations
Of Congress.
Ofsuch questions. the most impor-
tant Is that which has arisen out Of the
negotiations with Great Britain in
reference 10 Central America.
BY the convention on the 10th ol
April. 1880. both parties covensnted,
hat neither will ever" occupy, OF
fortify. or coIonize. or assume or exer'
else any dominion over, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, the Musquito coast. OIL
any part Of Central America"
1t was the undoubted understanding
of the United States. in making this
,seaty. that all the present States o'
the former republic Of Central Ameri-
ca, and the entire territory OF each,
would henceforth enjoy complete in
dependence; and that both contracting
pxrties engaged equually. and to the
same extent. for the present and foI
he future; that if either them had any
claim Of right in Central America
such claim, and all occupation or au-
hority under it, were unreservedIy re
Iinguished by the stipulations of the
convention; and that no dominion was
hereafter to be exercised or assumed
| in any part Of Central America, By
Great Britain or the United State.
The government consented to re-
strictions in regard to region of th,
country. wherein we had specific anc
peculiar interests. only upon the con
yiction that the like restrictions wer'
in the same sense obligatory on Grea
Britain. But for this understanding
of the force and effect Of the conven
lion. il would never have been con
cIuded by us.
So clear wss this understanding OF
he part Of the United States. that IL
correspondence contemporaneous with
he ratification Of the convention, !
was distinctly expressed, that the mu
sual covenants of non occupation wer,
not intended to apply to the British
establishment at the Balize. Thi'
qualification is to be ascribed to The
fact, that, In virtue OF successive treat
les with previous sovereIgns OF thu
country, Great Britain had obtained I
concession OF the right to cut mahog
any or dye woods ut the Balize, bul
Win positive exclusion Of all domain
or sovereignty; and thus il confirms
natural construction aud understood
jimport Of the treaty as to all the res
Of the region to which the stipulation'
applied.
1t, however. became apparent, at Al
early dav after entering upon the dis
charge Of nv present funct'ous. tha
Great Britain still confined in the ex
ercise or assertion Of large authorit,
IN all that part Of Central Americ'
commonly called the Mosquito coast
md covering the entire length Of III,
| State Of Nicaragua, and a part of Cos
IA Rica: that she regarded The Baliz,
AZ her absolute domain. and wa
gradually extending its limits at tn,
ax,ense NJ the State of Honduras: ans
hat She had formerly colonized con
siderable insular rronp. known as tn,
Raw Islards and BELONGING. of right
TO that State.
All these facts or pretensions O
Great Britain. being contrary to th
rights Of the States Of Central Ameri
ca and to to the manifest tenor Of he
st;nuIo,;ons with the United States. a
understood by this government. hav'
bren made the subject of negociatio,
,brougb the American Minister O
I,onden / transmit herewith the in
.,ruct;ons 10 him ON the subject. an,
the corresnondence between him am
| the Brisk Secretary for Foreign Al
| fairs by which YOU will perceive tina
bhs ,wc oovernments differ widel
and irrecoecileabIy as TO the eonstruc
ton of ,ha c,nreu,ion and its ellee
on % their rssn-e,;vs relations to Ger
| trail America.