The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-12-18

lregret 10 inform you that the President
OF Paraguay has refused to ratify the treaty
between the United States and that State
as amended by the Senate, the signature of
which was mentioned in the message of my
predecessor to Congress at the opening Of
its session In December, 1853. The reasons
assigned for this refusal will appear In the
correspondence herewith submitted.
II being desirable to ascertain the fitness
Of the river la Plata and its tributaries for
navigation by stenm, the United States steam
err Waterwitch was sent thither for that pur-
pose in 1858. This enterprise was success
fully carried on until FEBRUARY, 1855, when,
whilst in the peaceful prosecution of her
voyage up the Parana river, the steamer was
fired upon by Paraguayan fort. The FIRE
was returned; but as the Water Witch was
of small force, and not designed for offensive
operations, she retired from the conflict
The pretext upon which the attack was made
decree of the President of Paraguay of
October, 1854, prohibiting foreign vessels-of.
war from navigating the rivers of that State
AS Paraguay, however was the owner Of
but one bank Of the river of that name, the
other belonging 10 Correntes, n State of the
Argentine Confederation, the right of its
Government 10 expeft that such decree
would be obeycd canpbt be acknowledged
But the Wa,erwitch VA not, properly speak
ing, vessel of.war. Sic was small stcnm-
err engaged in scientific enterprise intended
for the advantage 9iRperciai States gen.
orally. Under thr nesalces, am con-
strained to consider fIs~attuck upon her MS
unjustitiable, and as calling for satisfaction
from the Paraguaynn Government.
Citizens of the United States, also, who
were established in business in Paraguay,
have had their property seized and taken from
them, and have otherwise been treated by
the authorities in an insulting and arbitrary
manner, which requires redress.
a demand for these purposes will be mnde
in firm but conciliatory spirit. This will
the more probably be granted if the Execu-
tive shall have authority to use other means
in the event of n refusal. This is according
ly recommended.
1t is unnecessary TO state in detail the alar.
ming condition of the Territory of Kansas at
the time Of my Inauguration. The opposing
parties then stood in hostile array against
each other, and any accident might have re-.
lighted the flames of civil war. Besides, at
this critical moment, Kansas was left without
a Governor by the resignation Of Governor
Geary.
On the 10th Of FEBRUARY previous the Ter
ri.orial Legislature had passed law provi-
ding for the election of delegates on the
third Monday of June to a Convention to
meet on the first Monday of September, for
the purpose Of framing n constitution pre-.
paratory to admission into the Union. This
law was in the main fair and just; and it is
10 be regretted that all the qualified electors
had not registered themselves and voted I'M
der its provisions.
At the time Of the election for delegates,
an extensive organization existed in the
Territory, whose avowed object it was, if
need be, to put down :he lawful government
of their own under the so.called Topeka con.
stitution. The persons attached to this rev.
Oulionary organization abstained from taking
any part in the election.
The act of the Territorial Legislature had
omitted to provide for submitting to the
people the constitution winch might be franz
ed by the Convention; and in the excited
state of pnblic feeling throughout Kansas an
apprehension extensively prevailed that a de.
sign existed to force upon them a constitution
IN relation to slavery against their will. In
this emergency it became my duty, as it was
my unquestionable right, having IN view the
union of all good citizens in support of the
Territorial laws, to express an opinion on
the true construction of the provisions con-
corning slavery contained in the organic act
of Congress Of the Both May, 1854 Con-
gress declared it to be "the true intent and
meaning of this act not to legislate slavery
into any Territory or State, nor to exclude it
therefrom, but TO leave the people thereof
perfectly free TO form and regulate their do
nestle institutions in their own way" I'm.
der it Kansas, "when admitted as State
was to "be received into the Union, with or
without slavery, as their constitution may
prescribe at the time of their admission"
Did Congress mean by this language that
the delegates elected 10 frame constitution
should have Authority finally to decide the
question of slavery, or did they intend by
leaving it to the people that the people Of
Kansas themselves should decide this ques.
ton by direct vote? On this subject con.
TESS had never entertained serious doubt
and therefore, in my instructions to Governor
Walker of the 28th March last, merely said
that when "a constitution shall be submitted
to the people of the Territory, they must be
protected in the exercise OF their right OF
the fair expression Of the ponuIar viii must
not he interrupted bv froud or violencen
In EXPRESSING this opinion il was fnr from
INV intention to Interfere with the decision
oftbe people of Kansas. either for mr. ooains,
slavery. From This have always carefully
nbstained. Entrusted with the duiv If In.
king scare that The laws be faithlulIv execn.
ted.a nv only desire was that the noople q,
Kansas should furnish To Congress the ev;
dence required bv the orgaric net. whsthe,
for or AGAINST slavery: and in This name,