Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-16

protection. | also recommend similar
legislation for the security of any other
route across the isihmus in which We
may acquire an interest by treaty.
With the independent republics on this
continent, it is both our duty and inter-
est To cultivate the most friendly rels-
tions. 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 lawless expeditions
which have been fitted out against some
of them within the limits of our country.
Nothing is better calculated 10 retard
our steady material progress. or impair
cur character as nation, than the tole-
ration of snch enterprises in violation OF
the law of nations.
Its 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 aggressions against their citizens
and subjects. The must eminent writers
on public law do not hesitate to de-
nounce such hostile acts as robbery and
murder.
Weak ind feeble States like those OF
Central America, m ay not feel themselves
able 10 assert and viudicate their rights.
The case would be far different if expe
ditions were set on foot within our own
territories to make private war against .
powerful nation. II such expeditions
were fitted out from abroad against any
portion of our own country. 10 burn down
our cities, murlersnd plundero our people,
and usurp our government, we should
call any power on earth to the strictest
account for not preventing such enor-
mites.
Ever since the Administration OF Gen
eral Washington, acts of Congress have
been in force to punish severely the crime
of setting on foot military expedition
within the limits of the United States, TO
proceed from thence against nation or
State with whom we are at peace. The
present neutrality act Of April &c. 1918.
is but little more than collection Of pre-
existing laws Under this act the Pres
ident is empowered to employ the land
and naval force and militia ''for the pur-
pose of preventing the carrying on of any
such expedition or enterprise form the
and jurisdiction of the United
States" and the collectors OF customs
are authorized and required 10 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 unlawful expedition against
Nicaragua, the Secretary Of State issued
Instructions 10 the marshals and district
attorneys, which were directed by the
of War and the Navy to the
appropriate army AMI navy officers, re-
Iulring them TO be yisilant, and to use
heir best exertions in carrying into ef
ect the provisions of the act of 1918 !
Notwithstanding these precautions, the
expedition has escaped from our shores.
Such enterprise can do no possible good
o the country, but have already intiict
ID much injury both on It's interests and
IS character. They have prevented
,eaceful emigration from the United
states 10 the States of Central America,
Fbich could not fail to prove highly ben
fetal to all the parties concerned. In
pecuniary point If view alone, our cit
zens have sustained heavy losses from
be seizure and closing of the transit
cute by San Juan between the two
;eaas.
The leader OF the recent expedition
las arrested at New Orlrans, but was
ischarged on giving bail for his appear
nee in the insufficient sum OF two thou
aud dollars.
commend the whole subject to the Sc
ious attention of Congress, believing
lat our duty and interest. as well as our
alional character, require that We
iould adopt such measures as will be ef-
etual in retaining our citizens from
,nmilting such outrages..
| regret to inform you that the Presi
ent u Paraguy has refused to rstify the
eaIy between the United States and that
late. as amended by the Sc rate, the
gnatu-e Of which was mentioned in the
cssagc OF my predecessor 10 Congress
the opening ofits session in December,
353. The reasons assigned for this re- |
sal will appear in the correspondence I
.re1ith submitted. g
1t being desirable 10 ascertain the fit
IS OF the river La Plata. and its :ribu- {
ries. for navigation by steam. the Uni t
j States steamer "Water Witch" was i
Mt hither for that purpose, in 1853 7
lis enterprise was successfully carried d
until February. 1855, when whilst in S
E peaceful prosecution of her voyage o
the Parans river, the steamer was Il
ed upon by Paraguayan fort. The v
2 was returned; but as the "Water a
itch" was OF small force. and not de- d
ned for offensive operations, she retir- e
from the conflict. The pretext upon il
ich lhe attack WAS made, was a decree n
the president of Paraguay, of October, d
54, prohibiting foreign vessels Of war ST
m navigating the rivers of that State, u
Paraguay, however, was the owner of a.
one bank of the river of that name, D
other belonging to Corrientes, 10
lie of the Argentine Confederation. the ol
hi of its government to expect that it
n decree would be obeyed, cannot it
acknowledged. But the "Waler nj
,ch" was not. properly speaking, ce
sci ofwar. She was a small steamer, M
aged in a scientific enterprise inienl-
for the advantage of commercial pr
tss generally. Under these circum- tie
nces, am constrained TO consider the bs
sck upon her as unjasiifable. and as ST
ing for satisfaction from The Paraguay 81
government. pl
Citizens Of the United States. also, who to
-e established in business in Paraguay, az
'e had their property seized and taken to
N them, and have otherwise been ir
tied by the authorities in an insulting
arbitrary manner. which requires re- b