Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-17

ploy the land aud naval forces, and the
militia, ''for the purpose of preventing
the carrying on of any such expedition
jurisdiction of the U. States" and col
lcetors of customs are authorized and
required to detain any vessel, in any
port, when there is reason to believe she
is about to take part in such lawless en-
terprises.
When it was first rendered probable
that an attempt would be made to get
up another unlawful expedition against
Nicaragua, the Secretary of State issued
Instructions to the marshals and district
attorneys, which were directed by the
Secretaries of War and the Navy, to
the appropriate army and navy officers,
requiring them to be vigilant, and to
use their best exertions in carrying in
to effect the provisions of 1918.
Notwithstanding these precautions
the expedition has escaped from our
shores. Such enterprises can do no
possible good to the country, but have
already inflicted much injury, both on
its interests aud its character. They
have prevented ~peaceable emigration
from the United States to the States OF
Central America, which could not fail
to be highly beneficial to all parties con-
c.rned. In a pecuniary point of view
alone, our citizens have sustained heavy
losses from the seizure and closing of
the Transit Route by the San Juan be-
tween the two oceans.
The leader of the recent expedition
was arrested at New Orleans. but was
discharged on giving bail for his ap-
p~carance in the insufficient sum Of
800.
/ commend the whole subject to the
serious attention of Congress, believing
that our duty and our interest, as we'll
as our national character, require that
We should adopt such measures as will
be effectual in restraining our citizens
from committing such outrages.
L regret to inform you that the Pres
ident of Paraguay has refusedto ratify
the treaty between the United States
and that State. as amended by the Sen
ate, the signature of which was men
toned in the message of my prcdeces-
sor to Congress at the opening of its
session in December, 1853. The reas-
ons assigned for their refusal will ap-
pear in the correspondence herewith
submitted.
1t being desirable to ascertain the fit
ness of the river La Plata and its trib-
utarics for navigation by steam, the Uni
ted States steamer Water Witch was
sent thither for that purpose in 1853
This enterprise was successfully carried
on until February, 1855, when, while
in the peaceful prosecution of her voy-
age up the Parana River the steamer
was fred upon by a Paraguayan fort
The fire was returned, but as the Vat
er Witch was of small force, and not de-
signed for offensive operations, she re-
tel from the conflict. The pretext
upon which the attack was made was q
decree of the President of Paraguay OIL
October, 1854. prohibiting foreign yes,
sells 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 belonged to Cor.
~rientes, a State of the Argentine Con.
federation, the right of its government
to expect that such a decree would be
obeyed cannot be acknowledged. Blu
the Water Wich was not, properly spea
king, / vessel of war. She was a small
steamer engaged in a scientific enter
prise intended for the advantage of com
mcrcial States generally. Under thes'
circumstances, I am constrained to con
slider the attack upon her as unjustifia
BILE, and as calling for satisfaction from
the Paraguayan government.
Citizens of the United States, also
who were established in business in Pa
raguay, have had their property seize'
and taken from them, and have other
wise been treated by the authorities il
an insulting and arbitrary manner
which requires redress.
A demand for these purposes will b
made in a firm but conciliatory spirit
This will the more probably be grantee
if the Executive shall have authority t.
use other means in the event of a refu
sal. This is accordingly recommend
ed.
1t is unnecessary to state in detail
the alarming condition of the Territor,
of Kansas at the time of my Inaugural
tion. The opposing parties then stoo'
in hostile array against each other, an
any accident might have relighted tn,
flames of civil war. Besides, at this cri
teal moment, Kansas was left withou
a Governor by the resignation OF Gov
Geary.
On the 10Th of February previous
the Territorial Legislature had passed
law providing for the election of dele
gates, on the third Monday of June, t.
a Convention to meet on the first Mon
day of September, for the purpose o
fruming a constitution preparatory t
admission into the Union. This lay
was, in the main, fair and just; and
is to be regretted that all the qualife'
electors had not registered themselve
and voted under its provisions.
At the time of the election for dele
gates, an extensive organization existet
in the. Territory, whose avowed objec
it was, if need be, to put down the law
full government by force, and to estab
lish a government of their own undo
the so-called Topeka Constitution
The persons attached to this revolution
airy organization abstained from takin;
any part in the election.
The act of the Territorial Legislator
had omitted to provide for submitting
to the people the constitution whicI
might be framed by the convention
and in tho oxcited state IF nubIic feal