Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-17
NUMBER 49.

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and several fruitless attempts were made
by the commissioner of the United
States to effect these changes.
Another effort was about to be made
for the same purpose by our commits
sioner, in con- junction with the minis
ters of England and France, but this
hostilities in the Canton river between
Great British and the Chinese Empire
These hostilities have necessarily in.
terrupted the trade of all nations with
Canton, which is now in a state Of
blockade, and have occasioned serious
loss of life and property. Meanwhile
against the existing imperial dynasty
still continues, and it is difficult to an
ticipate what will be the result
Under these circumstances I have
deemed it advisable to appoint distiu-
guished citizen of Pennsylvania Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipctcn-
tiary, to proceed to China and to avail
himself of any oppcrtunities which may
offer to effect changes in the existing
treaty favorable to American com merce.
He left the United States for the place
of his destination in July last, in the
war steamer Minnesota. Special Minis
ters to China have also been appointed
by the governments of Great Britain
and France.
While our Minister has been instruc--
ted to occupy a neutral position in ref
erence to the existing hostilities at Can
ton, he will cordially cooperate with
the British and French ministers in all
peaceful measures to secure by treaty
stipulations those just concessions 10
commerce which the nations of the
world have right to expect, aud which
China cannot long be permitted to with
hold. From assurances received, l en-
tertain no doubt that the three minis
ters will act in harmonious concert to
obtain similar commercial treaties for
each of the powers they represent.
We cannot fail to feel deep inter
est in all that concerns the welfare OF
continent, as well as the empire of Bra
zil.
Our difficulties with New Grenada,
which short time since bore so threat
ening an aspect, are, it is to be hoped,
in fair train of settlement in a man
ner just and honorable to both parties.
The fsthmus of Central Amerisa, in
cluding that of Panama, is the great
highway between the Atlantic and Pa
cifc, over which large portion of the
commerce of the world is destined to
pass. The United States are more deep
ly interested than any other nation in
preserving the freedom and security of
all the communications across this 18th
mus. 1t is our duty, therefore, to take
care that they shall not be interrupted
either by invasions from our own couu-
try OF by wars between the Independents
States of Central America
Under our treaty with New Granada
Of the 18th December, 1916. We are
bound to guarantee the neutrality of
the Isthmus of Panama, through which
the Panama Railroad passes, "as well
IS the rights of sovereignty and pro-
perty which New Granada has and pos
'esses over the said territorp." This
is founded upon equivalents
granted by the treaty to the Govern
nent and people of the United States.
Under these circumstances, I recon-
mend to Congress the passage of an act
the President, in case of
necessity, to employ the land and naval
orces of the United States to carry in
o effect this guarantee of neutrality and
[ also recommend similar
egislation for the security of any other
quite across the Isthmus in which We
nay acquire al interest by treaty.
With the independent republics on
his continent it is both our duty and
our interest to cultivate the most friend
y relations. We can never feel indif-
erent to their fate, and must always re-
oice in their prosperity. Unfortunate
y both for them and for US, our exam
lie and advice have lost much of their
influence in consequence of the lawless
which have been fitted out
gainst some of them within the limits
# our country. Nothing is better cal
ulated to retard our steady maternal
progress, or impair our character as
lation, than the liberation of such en-
erprises, in the violation of the laws of
ations.
1t is one of the first and highest du-
les of any Independent State, in its re-
atoms with the members of the great
lmily of nations, to restrain its people
rom acts of hostile aggressions against
heir citizens or subjects. The most
minent writers on public law, do not
estate to denounce such hostile acts
S robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble states like those of
CENTRAL America, may not feel them
elves able to assert and vindicate their
ights. The case would be far different
expeditions were set on foot within
ur own territories to make private war
gainst powerful nation. If such ex-
editions were fitted out from abroad
gainst any portion of our Own couu-
ry, to burn down cities, murder and
lunder our people, and usurp our gov
We should call any power on
arth to the strictest account for not
reventing such enormitics.
Ever since the administration of Con.
acts Of Congress have been
n force to punish severely the crime of
citing on foot military expedition
within the limits of the United States;
0 proceed from thence against nation
n State with whom we are at peace