The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-01

meet item and defeat them when they least
expect it, Tbat ia ~
The New Granada QuestioM-Eviis OF Closing
the Isthmus Routes--The Duty OF our Co
yer, .nent.
Our relations with New Granada have assumed
very serious aspect, and the question-what
course shall we now pursue in the matter!-s the
most prominent one that Is presented for the de-
cision Of Mr.. Buchanan and his Cabinet; and it Is
more pregnant with good or evil results to our
trade, our policy and our expansion, as he may
81 lcct than any Of the other questions of tse day
In order TO arrive at q just view of our position,
and of the course we should pursue q brief reca-
pitulaton of The facts Is necessary.
On the 10th of April, 1856, serious ARRAY
occurred in the suburbs Of Panama-no matter.
how originated which, from the want of sufi-
Client military or police force on the part of the
government, assumed serious character and re-
suited in tho loss Of several valuable lives and
much property. The subsequent Investigations
by the authorized agents Of the governments
of tee United States and New Granada assumed
partisan character and arrived at exaggerated
results. On our side an incorporate course was
oficiousy recommended by the Commissioner
sent to examine the subject; and on the other the
Unwise denial of just responsibility was sustain
edby the government of New Granada. Presi-
dent Pierce, 10 bis last annual message added
Gil to the fame that had been created, by en-
dor-ing the en- parte statements that had been laid
before hin, and bS concurring in several gross
in relation to other existing questions with
the government Of New Granada
This brought out q like exaggerated message
from the President Of that republic to the Cana
dan Congress. Coincident with these events
Mr. Marcy drew up the project of treaty to be
made between the two governments, in which the
just claims of our citizens were placed in &C.
cOndary position and virtual transfer of the
sovereignty Of part Of her territory was
demanded of New Granada. Commissioners
were appointed on both sides to discuss the
questions at issue, aud correspondence ensued,
in which, we must confess, that 80 far as CARDS
calm treatment Of the subject and the courte-
sizes Of diplomatic intercourse, our own Commits
sioners appetr to decided disadvantage Those
| Of New Granada declared that tho step VIC de-
eired that eov.roment ~ take was uucoustitu-
tionsl and beyond its powers Had the matter
reeted here, our government would have been In
q dilemma. Bat Mears Morse aud 30 ~lin then
abandoned the demand involved 10 the treaty,
and presented their ulamotx,~. This vas tue i'm
mediate payment Of $500 900 for the damages
.ustaioed by our citizens 10 the Panama riot.
The New Grsnadlsn government not only re-
jected this demaod, and reiter ated the denial Of
its responsibility, but In Cabinet Council 1t was
unanimously resolved that the government Of the
United States was Identified with Its citizens In
originating and sgersvadng the riot Of the 18th
Of April, ard TO demand from II the payment of
| $4,000 for damages incurred No resource
was LETT for our Commissioners, and Mr. Morse
| lett ss room az possible Mr.. Bowlin, our Minis
ter at Boeo'a, determined to remain rome little
| time longer there, as q new administration was
TO 70 into power on the LIST Of April under Senior
Oepina, and 1t was desirable 10 give the new 60
veapment an opportunity TO reoede from Its false
position This Is the present state OF Affairs As
soon as Mr. Buchanau saw the position they had
assumed, be very properly ordered our naval
forces To concentrate at the Isthmus ports, In
order to protect the vast interests Of our citizens
there.
How little probability there Is Of the new Pre-
sident, Ospina. receding fiom the position taken
by the present administration in New Granada
ia evident from several facts 10 the mixed Ca
binet, that has unanimously determined to assume
the preeent attitude Of that government, there are
| two persons who may have great influence with
The incoming administration. Senior Gonz Lez,
The Attorney Genei al holds over by his coossitl-
tiond tenor Of Office, and General Ortega, the
preseut Minister of War, was oae Of
the most active and efficient supporters
Of sooor OspiLs in the late Presidential
! canvass in that republic To this we may add
that the Granadian House Of Representatives, In
which the conserv atives-Ospina's prfy-have
the majority, passed unanimously, on the 18th Of
| March, resolution approving the course Of that
government and its Commissioners in the recent
discussion With those Of the United States
1nview of these fscts, and Of the great Interests
we have at stake In the security Of the Lsthmus
! Transit at Panama, there remains bat one course
for our government 10 pursue. Any Interruption
of the preeeRt communication between our Allan
tic and our Pacific poesesions at this critical
moment, would be 9 cause OF innumerHble mer-
camille Disasters both here and In California,
wh,ch would produce commercial revulsion-
The Isthmus Of Panama Is now pa-siug through
that tranation that always attends tho Introdoc-
tion Of great improvements, and Is In state of
industrial change. The completion of the rail-
road has destroyed the means Of livelihood
Of Thousands Of muleteess bostucn aud
faborefs-maDy Of whom, possessing the
luxurious and disolute habits engcndered
By the gold that flowed in upon them during the
arss rush OF emigration 70 California, are now
Hn~kit0ka vxtt o.