Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16
VOL. 4.--N0. II.

, the Atlantic and Pacific, over which large
/ portion of the commerce of the world is des-
tined to pass. The United States are more
deeply interested than any other nation In pre-
serving the freedom and security OF all the
communications across this isthmus. III Is
duty, therefore, to take care that they snail
net be interrupted either by invasions from
our own country or by wars between the lnde-
pendent States of Central America. Under
our treaty with New Granada of the 18th Dec.
1916, we are bound to guarantee the neutral
ity of the Isthmus of Panama, through which
the Panama railroad passes, Gas well as the
rights of sovereignty and property which New
Granada has and possesses over the said Terri
tory This obligation is founded upon e.
quiyalents granted by the treaty to the gov
ernment and people of the United States.
Under these circumstances, recommend 70
Congress the passage of an act authorizing tho
President, in case of necessity, to employ the
land and naval forces of the United States 10
carry into effect this guaranty of neutrality
and protection. l also recommend similar le-
giSiaiion for the security of any other route
across the isthmus in which We may acquire an
interest by treaty.
With the independent republics on this con-
tnent il is both duty and our interest to
cultivate the most friendly relations. We can
never feel indifferent TO their fate, and must
always rejOice in their prosperity. Unfortu-
nately, both for them and for US, our example
and advice have lost much of their influence
in consequence of the lawless expeditions
which have been fitted out against some of
them within the limits of our country. Moth
ing is better calculated to retard our steady
material progress, or impair our character as a
nation, than the liberation of such enterprises
in violation of the law of nations.
Ii is one of the first and highest duties OF
any independent State, in its relations with the
members of the great family of nations, TO re-
strain its people from acts of hostile aggres-
| "a
most eminent writer's public law do not hes
| itate to denounce such hostile acts robbery
and murder.
| Weak and feeble States like those OF Cen
| trail America, may not feel themselves able TO
assert and vindicate their rights. The case
| would be far different if expeditions were set
| on foot within our own territories TO make
| private war against powerful nation. Ifsuch
| expeditions were fitted out from abroad against
any portion of our own country, to burn down
our cities, murder and plunder our people, and
| uSurp our government, should call any
| power on earth to the StricteSt account for not
| preventing such enormities-
| Ever since the administration of General
| Washington, acts OF Congress have been IN
| force 10 punish severely the crime of setting
| on foot military expedition within the limits
| of the United States, to proceed from thence
against nation State, with whom are at
peace. The present neutrality act of April
20th, 1918, is but little more than collection
of pre-cxisting laws. Under this act the
President is empowered to employ The land
and naval forces and the militia s.for the pur-
pose OF preventing the carrying on of any
such expeditions or enterprise from the terri
tories and jurisdiction OF the United States,''
and the collectors of customs are authorized,
and required to detain any vessel in port when
there is reason to believe she is about to take
part in such lawlesS enterprises.
When it first rendered probable that
attempt would be made to get up another un-
lawful expedition against Nicaragua, the Sec
re.ary OF State issued instructions TO the mar
shalS and district attorneys. which were direc-
ted by the Secretaries of War and the Navy
to the appropriate army and navy officers, re-
quiring them TO be rigiant, and TO use their
best eNertions in Carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the act of 1878 Notwithstanding
these precautions, the expedition has escaped
from our shores. Such enterprises can do TO
possible good to the country, but have already
inflicted much injury both on its interests and
its character. They have prevented peaceful
emf grafton from the United States to the
States of Central America, which could not
fail TO prove highly beneficial 10 all the parties
concerned. In pccuuiary point of view a.
lone, our citizens have sustained heavy losses
from the seizure and closing of the transit
route by the San Juan, between the two
oceans.
The leader of the recent expedition
rested AT New Orleans, but Was discharged on
giving bail Tor MS api)eaE1Dce III tuc
cient sum of two thousand dollars.
| commend the whole subject TO the serious
attention of Congress, believing that our duty
and our interest, as well as our national char
acter require that we should adopt such mea-
sures as will be efectual in restraining our Cit
izens from committing such outrages.
n [ regret 10 inform you that the President of
Paraguay has refused to ratify the treaty be-
tween the United States and that State,
amended by the Senate. the signature OF which
was mentioned in the message of my prede-
cessor to Congress at the opening of its ses-
sion in December, 1855. The reasons assign
ed for this refusal will appear in the correspon-
dence herewith submitted.
1t being desirable to ascertain the fitness Of
the river La Plata and its tributaries for navi-
CATION by steam. the United States Steamer
Water Witch was sent thither for that purpose
in 1888. This enterprise was successfully car
ried on until February, 1880, when, whist IN
the peaceful prosecution of her voyage up the
Parana river the steamer was hred upon by a
Paraguayan fort. The fire was returned; but
as the Water Witch was of small force, aud
not designed for offensive operations, she re-
fired from ,hc conflict. The pretext upon
which the attack was made was decree OF
the President of Paraguay of October, 1854,
prohibiting foreign vessels of war from navi-
eating the rivers of that State. As Para
quay, however, was the owner of but one
bank of the river of that name, the 9TH
er belonging to Corrientes, State of the
Argentine Confederation, the right of Its gov
ernment TO expect that such decree would
be obeyed cannot be acknowledged. But the
Water Witch was not, properly speaking,
vessel-of-war. She was a small steamer en-
gagged in scientific enterprise intended for
the advantage of commercial States general
ly. Under these circumstances, 1 am con-
strained to consider the attack upon her as