Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17


Ier, in conjunction with the Ministers of Eng
land aud France, but this was suspended by tile
occurrence Of hostilities in the Canton river
between Great Britain and the Chinese empire.
These hostiities have necessarily interrupted
the trade OF all natIens with anton, which is
now in a state o! blockade, and have accustomed
u serious loss Of life and property. Meanwhile
the insurreclion within the empire against the
existing imperial dynasty still continues, and
it is difficult to anticipate what will he the re-
suit
Under these circu instances, l have deemed it
advisable to appoint distinguished citizen of
Pennsylvania Envoy ExtraOrdnnry and Minis
ter Plenipotentiary to proceed to China, aud to
avail himself OF any opportunities which may
offer 10 effect changes in the existing treaty ia
vorable to American commerce. lie left the
United States for the place of his destination in
July last in the war steamer MINNESOTA
Special ministers to China have alsu been APP
pointed by the governments of Great Britain
and France.
Whilst our minister has been instructed to
occupy neutral position in reference to the
existing hostiEties at Canton, he will cordially
corporate with the British and French minis
ters in all peaceful measures to secure by treaty
stlpulatons, those just concessions to commerce
which the nations Of the world have right to
expect, and which China cannot long be permit
ted TO withhold. From assurances received,
entertain no doubt the three ministers will act
IN harmonious concert 10 obtain similar CONNER
cial treaties Tor each OF the powers they rep
resent.
We cannot fail to feel deep interestn all
that concerns the welfare of the independent
h l,a,, IL
the empire of Brazil
Our difficulties with New Granada, whieh#
short time since bore 80 threatening an aspect,
are, it is to be hoped, in fair train of settle
ment liz u manner just and honorable to both
parties.
The isthmus of Central America, including
that of Panama, is the great highway between
the Atlantic and Pacific, over which large
portion Of the commerce of the world is destin-
ed TO pass The United States are more deeply
interested than any other nation in preserving
the freedom and security of all the communion
tons across the isthmts. 1t is our duty, there
fore, to take care that they shall not be inter-
rupted either by invasions from our own coun-
try, or by wars between the independent States
of Central America. Under our treaty with
New Granada of the 10th December, 1876, we
are bound to guaranty the neutrality of the
ishmus of Panama, through which the Pana-
ma railroad passes, as well as the rights OF
sovereignty ind property which New Granada
has and possesses over the said Territory, -
This obligation is founded upon equivalents
granted by the treaty to the government and
people of the United States
Under these circumstances [ recommend te
Congress the passage of an act authorizing the
Draci1 in NJ NV to hf
land and naval forces of the United States tt
carry into effect this guaranty of neutrality
and protection also recommend similar leg
islation for the safety Of any other route across
the lsthmus in which we may acquire an inter
est by treaty.
With the independent republics on this cont
nent it is both our duty and our interest to cul
tlyate the most friendly relations. We cal
never feel Indifferent to their fate, and must al
ways rejoice in their prosperity. Unfortunate
ly, both for them and for us, our example ant
advice have lost much of their influence in con
sequence Of the lawless expeditions which hav
, been fitted out against some of them within
the limits of our country. Nothing is bette
calculated to retard our steady material pro
gress, or impair our character as a nation, thar
the liberation Of such enterprises in violation
IOI tne law OF nations.
, 1t is one of the first and highest duties of an,
independent State. in its relations with the mem
| bers Of the great family of nations, to restrain
, its people from acts of hostile aggression agains
their citizens or subjects. The most emnen
writer's on public law do not hesitate to de
4 nounce such hostile acts as robbery and muir
= der.
Weak and feeble States, like those of Cen
1 | tr,1 caol al 40
S assert and vindicate their rights The cas-
: would be far different if expeditions were Sc
o on foot within our own terri cries to make pr
S vatc war against powerful nation. If suc
Il expeditions were fitted out from abroad agains
t., any portion Of our own country, to burn dow
+ cities, murder and plumber our people. an
= usurp our government, we should call any pow
e er earth to the strictest account for not pre-
= venting such enormites
II Ever since the administration of Gen Wash
t. ington, acts of Congress have been in force t
V punish severely the crime of setting on foot
!. military expedition within the limits of tn
s. United States to proceed from thence againt
d II nation or State with whom we are at peace
d The present neutrality act of April 20, 1918
d is but little more than collection of pre-exis
d ing laws. Upper this act the President is EN-
powered to employ the land and naval force
and the militia " for the purpose of preventin
the carrying on of any such expedition or er
VI terprise from the territories and jurisdiction
IS the United States, ;" and the collectors of Gus
. toms are authorized and required 10 detain an
vessel in port when there is reason to belle Y
1t she is about to take part in such lawless entel
IS prises.
he When it was first rendered probable that Il
II attempt would be made to get another unlav
&c full expedition against Nicaragua, the Secretar
q Of State issued Instructions to the marshals an
g. district attorneys which were directed by tn
|, Secretaries of War and the Navy to the apprt
a. pirate army and navy officers, requiring theI
1t to be vigilant, and to Use their best exertiol
!. in carrying into effect the provisions of the az
II Of 1878. Notwithstanding there preeaution
the expedition has escaped from our shore
" Such enterprises can do no possible good to til
N country, but have already inflicted much il
4 jury both on its interests and it's characte
IN They have prevented peaceful emigration frol
+ the United States to the State Of Central Anne
II lea, which could not fail to prove beneficial t
J. all parties concerned. In a.pecuDary point
IA view alone, our citizens have sustained heay
e losses from the seizure and closing OF the trans
K rout by the San Juan between the two oceans
% The leader OF the recent expedition was a
r rested ut New Orleans, but was discharged {
10 giving bail for his appearance in the insufIicie
rs sum OF two thousand dollars.
s. commend the whole subject to the serio
r attention of Congress, believing that our du
" and our interest, Us well as our national chara
in ter, require that we should adopt such mea
e. ures as will be efectual in restraining our Gil
'e gems from committing such outrages.
regret to inform you that the President
as Paraguay has refused to ratify the treaty b
of tween the United States and that State
nd amended by the Senate, the signature of viii
= was meatiuned in the message of my predect
I, sor to Congress at the opening of its session
Mt December, 1858. The reasons assigned for tt
is refusal will appear in the correspondence he