The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-12-15

ted at Tehcran by minister plenipoten-
tiary, and l recommend that an sppropri-
alton be made for this purpose.
Recent occurrences in China have been
nufavorable to revision Of tho treaty with
that empire of the I'd of July, 1874, with
n view to the security and extension Of our
commerce. The 25th article Of this treaty
stipulated for revision oft, in case cS-
perience should plove this to be requisite,
in which case tho two governments will
at the expiration Of twelve years from the
dato Of said convention, treat amicably
concerning the same, by means of suitable
persons appointed to conduct such nc9a,
tiations." These twelve years expired Oh
the I'd of July, 1856; but long before that
period it was ascertained important changes
were necessary, and several fruitless at
tcmpts were made by the commissioner of
the U. Stases toe feet these changes.
Another effort WIS about to be mado for
tie same purpose by our commissioner, ia
conjunction with the minister of England
and France, but this was suspended 10y tho
occurrence Of hostilities in the Canton riv-
or between Great Britain and the Chinese
Eml ire. These hostilties have nee eoessari
ly interrupted the trade of all nations with
Canton, which is now in state of block
ade, and have occasioned serious loss Of
life and property. Meanwhile tho Insult
rection within the empire against the ex-
isting imperial dynasty still continues,
and it is difficult TO anticipate whist will
be tho result.
Under these circumstances /. have deem
cd it advisable to appoint distinguished
citizen of Pennsylvania envoy extraordins
ry and minister plenipotentiary to proceed
to China and avail himself Of any oppor-
tunities which may offer to effect changes
in the existing treaty favorable TO 'Ameri-
can commerce. He left the United States
for the place of his destination in July last,
in the war steamer Minnesota. Special
ministers to China have also been appoint,
ed by the Governments of Great Britain
and France.
Whilst our minister has been instructed
10 occupy neutral position in reference TO
the existing hostiities in Canton, he will
cordially cooperate with the British and
French ministers in all peaceful measures
to secure, by treaty stipulations, those just
concessions to commerce which the nations
of tho world have a right to expect, and
which China cannot long be permitted to
withhold. From assurances received l en-
tertain no doubt that tho throc ministers
will act in harmonious concert to obtain
similar commercial treaties for each Of the
powers they represent.
We cannot fail to feel deep interest in
all that concern the welfare of the indepen-
dent republics on our own continont, as
well as Of the empire Of Brazil.
Our difficulties with New Granada,
which short time since bore so threaten
ing an aspect, are, it is to be hoped, in
train Of settlement, as we'll as Of tho en-
pire of Brazil.
The isthmus of Central America, includ-
ing that of Panama, is the great highway
between the Atlantic and Pacific, over
which large portion of the commerce Of
the world is destined TO pass. The Unit,
ed States arc more deeply interested than
any other nation in preserving the freedom
and security Of all the communications a
cross the Isthmus. 1t is our duty, there
fore, to take care that they shall not bo
interrupted either by invasions from our
own country or by wars between the inde-
pendent states Of Central America. Un-
der our treaty with New Grenada Of 18th
of December, 1e46, we arc bound to guar
anty the neutrality of the Istbmus Of Pan
nma, through which the Panama railroad
passes, "as well as the rights Of sovereign
ty and property which New Granada has
and possesses over the said Tenitory."-
This obligation is founded upon equivalents
granted by the treaty TO the government
and people of the United States. a..
Under these circumstances, l recon-
mend to Congress tho passage of IN act
authorizing the President, in case Of ne,
cessity, to employ the land and naval for
ccs Of the United States to carry iuto effect
this guarantee Of neutrality and protec-
ton. also recommend similar legislation
for the security Of any other route across,
the Isthmus in which we may hedtire an
interest by treaty.
With the Independent republics on this
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 their prosperity :.
Unfortunately both for them and for US
our example and advice have lost much of
their influence in consequence Of the law
less expeditions which have been fitted out
against some Of them within the limits of
our country. Nothing is better calculated
TO retard our steady material progress, or
impair our character MS 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 tho great family of
nations, to restrain its people from acts of
hostile aggression against their citizens or
subjects. The most eminent writers on
public law do denounce such hostile acts as
robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble states, like those OF
Central America, may not feel able to as
sert and vindicate their rights. The case
would be far different if expeditions wcro,
set on foot within our own territories to
make private war against a powerful ma
ton. If such expeditions were fitted put
from abroad against any portion OF our
own country, to burn down our cities, murf