Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-09

Our difficulties with New Granada, which a
short time since b re so threatening an aspect
are, it is to be hoped, in a fair train of settle
ment In 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 a 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 preserving the freedom and security of
all the communications across this istbmus.
1t is our duty, therefore, to take care that they
shall not be interrupted either by nvasons
from our own country or by wars between
the independent States of Central America.
Under our new treaty with New Grenada of
the 18th of December, 1856, we are bound
to guaranty the neutrality of the 18TH
mas of Panama, through which the
Panama railroad passes as well as the
rights of sovereignty and property which New
Grenada has and possesses over the said ter
ritory." This obligation is founded upon
equivalents granted by the treaty to the gov
eminent and people of the United States
Under these circumstances, recommend
the passage OF an act, authorizing the Presi-
dent, In case of necessity, to employ the land
and naval forces of the United States, to carry
into effect this guarantee of neutrality and
protection. | also recommend similar legis.
lation for the safety of any other route across
the lsthmus, in which, we may acquire an
interest by treaty.
With the independent republics on the
continent, it is both our duty and our inter-
est to cultivate the most friendly relations.
We can never feel Indifferent to their fate,
and must always rejoice in cir pros
perlty. Unfortunately, both for them and Us,
onr 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. Nothing is better calculated to re-
tard our steady material progress, or impair
our character as a nation, than the federation
of such enterprises in violation of the law of
nations.
1t 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
restrain its people from acts of hostile aggres.
sion against their citizens or subjects. The
most eminent writer's on pubic law do not
hesitate to denounce such hostile acts as rob-
berry 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 a powerful nation. If
such expeditions were fitted ont from abroad
against any portion OF our own country,
to burn down our cities murder and plumber
our people, and usurp our government, we
should call any power on earth to the strictest
account tor not preventing such enormities.
Ever since the administration of General
re IF Io..z
force to punish severely the crime of setting
on foot military expedition within the linn.
its of the United States to proceed from
thence against a nation or State with whom
We are at peace. The present neutrality act of
April 20, 1878, is but little more than COL
lection OF pre- existing laws. Under this act
the President is empowered to employ the
land and naval torces and the military ''fOr the
purpose of preventing the earring on of any
such expedition or enterprise from the terrific
RES 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 was first rendered probable that an
attempt would be made to get up another I'M
lawful expedition against Nicaragua, the
Secretary of State isaued instructions to the
marshals and district attorneys, which were
directed by the Secretaries of War and the
Navy to the appropriate army and navy Off
GERS, requiring them to be vigllant, and TO use
their best exertions in carrying into effect the
provisions of the act of 1918. Notwithstand-
ing these precautions. the expedition has es-
capped from our shores. Such enterprises can
do no possible good to the country, but have
already inflicted much injury both on its in
terests and its character. They have prevent
ed peaceful emigration from the United States
to the States of Central America, which could
not fail to prove highly beneficial 10 all the
parties concerned. In pecuniary point of
view alone, 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 was
arrested at New Orleans, but was discharged
on giving bail for his appearance in the insult
ficient sum of two thousand dollars.
Icommend the whole subject to the serious
attention of Congress, believing TINT our duty
and our interest,as well as our national char
acter, require that we adopt such measures as
will be etfectual in restraining our citizens
from committing such outrages.
regret to inform you that the President of
Paraguay has refused to ratify the treaty be.
I"eeh tllS OHiteu DedleS duu tndC State az
amended by the Senate, the signature of which
was mentioned in the message Of my predeceq-
sor to Congress at the opening of its session
in December, 1858. The reasons assigned for
this refusal will appear in the correspondence
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 pur-
pose in 1858. This enterprise was success.
fully carried on until February, 1866, when.
whilst in the peaceful prosecution of her
voyage up the Parana river, the steamer was
fred upon bya Paraguayan fort. The ire
was returned, but as the Water Witch was Of
small force, and not designed for offensive on.
erations, she retired from the conflict. The
pretext upon which the attack was made, was
decree of the President of Paragua of DC.
tober. 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 to Corrientes, State of the Ar
gentine Confederation, the right of its gov
eminent 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 generally.
Under these circumstances, l am constrained
to consider the attack upon her as unJustlta-
bic, and as calling for satisfaction from the
Paraguayan government
Citizens Of the United States, ALSO who
were established in business in Paraguay,
have had their property seized and taken from