The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-18

the freedom and security ofall the COM
munications across this isthmus. II is
our duty, therefore, to take care that they
shall not be interrupted either by invas-
ions from our own country or BY walls be-
tween the independent States Of Central
America. Under our treaty with New
Grenada Of the 10Th December, 1916, we
arr bound to guarantee the neutrality OF
the isthmus of Panama, through which
the Panama railroad passes, "as well as
the rights of sovereignty and property
which New Granada has and possesses
over the said Territory" This obligation
is founded upon equivalents granted by
the treaty TO the government and people
of the United States.
Under these circumstances recommended
10 Congress the passage Of an act authoriz-
ing the President. in case Of necessity, to
employ the land and naval forces OF the
United States to carry into effect this guar
antee Of neutrality and protection. also
recommend similar legislation for the safety
Of any other route across the lsthmus in
which we may acquire an interest by trea-
ty.
With the independent republics on this
continent il is both our duty and our interest
TO cultivate the most friendly relations
We can never feel Indifferent to their late
and must Away rejoice in their prosperity,
Unfortunately, both for them and for US,
our example and advice has lost much ol
their influence in consequence OF the lawless
expeditions which have been fitted out
against some Of them within the limits ol
our country. Not ing is better calculated
TO retard our steady material progress, OIL
impai our character rs nation, than Tho
liberation Of such enterprises IN violation o.
the law Of nations.
Ii 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
aggression against their citizens or subjects
The most eminent writers ON public law dC
not hesitate to denouncc such hostile acts "a
robbery and murder.
Weak and feeble States, like those OF Cen
trail America, may not feel themselves abb,
to assert and yindicate their rights. The cas-
would be far different If expeditions wer'
nc; on foot within our own territories tC
make private war against powerful nation
IL such expeditions were fitted out abroad
against any portion Of our own country, u
burn down our cities, murder and plnnde'
our people. and ususp our government, w
should call any pswer on earth to the strie
est account for not preventing such enormi
ties.
Ever since the administration OF Gen
Washington, acts of Congress have been II
force TO punish severely the crime Of setting
on foot a military expedition within th'
limits Of the United States to proceed iron
thence against nation or state with whom
We are ut peace. The present neutrality &C
OF April 20, 1918. is but little more than
collection of pie-existing laws. Under TIN
act the President is empowered to employ th'
the land and naval forces, and the militia
'.ior the purpose OF preventing the carrying
on Of any such expedition or ENTERPRISE iron
the territories and jurisdiction OF the UniteC
States" and the collectors OF customs ar
authorized and required to detain any vesse
in port when there is reason to believe sh'
is about TO take part in such lawiess enter
prizes.
When il was first rendered probable thai
al attempt would be made to getu up another
unlawful expedition against Nicaragua, thu
Secretary OF State issued instructions e
the marshalls and district attorneys, which
were directed by the Secretaries OF War and
the Navy to the appropriate army, and navy
officers, requiring them 70 be yigilant, anc
to use their best eXcrtions in carrying into
effect the provisions OF the act OF lslo.-
Notwithstanding these precautions. the ex
pedition has escaped from our shores. Such
enterprises can do no possible good to the
country, but have already inflicted mucf
injury both on its interests and its charac
ter. They have prevented peaceful emergra
ton from the United States to the State oil
Central America, which could not TAIL tc
prove beneficial TO ali the parties concerned
In pecuniary point OF view alone, our eit'
izens have sustained heavy losses from thu
seizure and the closing of the transit route
hy the san Juan between the two oceans.
The leader Of the recent expedition was ar,
r sted at New Orleans, but was discharged
ON giving hail for his appearance IN the IN
Sufficient sum Of $4,000.
commend the whole subject 10 the serl
Gus attention Of Congress, believing that oul
duty aud our interest ,as well Us our national
character, require that we should adopt such
measures rs will bc effectual IN restraining
cur citizens from committing such outraser
Irecret to inform you that the President
orParaguay has refused TO ratify the treaty
between the United States and that State ~
amended by the Senate, the signature o.
which was mentioned in the message oil my
predecessor to Congress at the opening OF
is session in December 1858. The reasons
assigned for this refusal will appear in th'
correspondence herewith submitted.
Ii Icing desirable to ascertain the htnes
or the river Ia Plata and its tributaries fol
navigation by steam, the United States
steamer w iter Witch was sent thithcr fo'
that purpose in 1858. This enterprise wa
successfully carried on until February, lS5,
when, whilst in the peaceful prosecution o
her voyage up the Parana river, the steamei
was fired upon by Paraguay fort. Th'
fire was returned, but rs the Water Witcl
was of small force. and not designed for OF
frnsiye operations, she retired irOm the con
dict The prvtext upon which the attacl
was made was decreo Of the President
Paraguay, Of October, 1854, prohibiting
foreign Vessels VI w" hOn ha''N'.."o "
rivers Of that State. As Paraguay, howeVe
was the owner Of but one bank OF the rive
Of that name, the other belonging to Corn
entes, a state Of the Argentine Confederation
the right OF its government to expect such
decree would be obcyed clnnot be aeknowi
edged. But the Water Witch was not. pro
perly speaking, vessel IF war. She was
sInall steamer engaged in u semitic enter
prise intended for the advantage OF CONNER
clal States generally. Under these circum
stances, am constrained TO consider the at
tack upon her rs unjustisable, and rs calling
for satisfaction from the Paraguayan gov
eminent.
Citizens OF the United States, also wh'
were establishedlinIbusiness in Paraguay hay,
had their property seized and taken frou
them, and have otherwise heen treated b,
a.. .,,,t,n .;t;a. IN nm insultinv and arbitrar,