Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-16

ton, those Just concessions to commerce Whic
the nations of the world have right to expec
and which China cannot long be permitted t
withhold. From assurances received, enter
tain no doubt that the three ministers will &C
| in harmonious concert to obtain similar com
mercial treaties for each of the powers they re
present.
We cannot fail to feel deep interest in a
that concerns the welfare of the independent re
publics on our own continent, as well as OF tn
empire of Brazil. 6.
Our difficulties with New Granada, which
short time since bore so threatnng an aspect,are
it is to be hoped, in fair train of settlement II
manner Just and honorable to both parties.
The Isthmus of Central America includin,
that of Panama, is the great highway betweel
the Atlantic and Pacific, over which large por
ton OF the commerce of the world is destined II
pass. The United States are more deeply inter
ested than any other nation in preserving tn
freedom and security of all the communication
across the Isthmus. 1t is our duty, therefore, t.
take care that they shall not be interrupted Ell
ther by invasions from our own country or b.
wars between the independent States of Gen
tral America. Under our treaty with New
Grenada of the 18th of December, 1846, we ar
bound to guaranty the neutrality Of the isthmu
of Panama, through which the Panama railroad
passes, las well as the rights of sovereignty ant
property which New Grenada has and possesses
over the said Territory. This obligation is found
ed upon equivalents granted by the treaty to tht
government and people of the United States.
Under these circumstances, recommend te
Congress the passage of an act authorizing the
President, in case of necessity, to employ the
land and naval forces of the United States tc
carry into effect this guarantee of neutrality and
protection. also recommend similar Legislation
for the security of any other route across the
isthmus in which we may acquire an interest by
treaty.
With the Independent republics on this con-
tinent it is both our duy and our interest to cul
tivate the most friendly relations. We can new
er 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 fit.
ted out against some Of them within the limits
of our country. Nothing is better calculated to
retard our material progress, or impair our char.
acter as nation, than the liberation of such en-
terprises in violation of the law of nations.
1t is one of the first duties of any independent
State, in its relations with the great family of
nations, to restrain its people from acts of hos
tile aggression against their citizens or subjects
The most eminent writers on public law do
not hesitate to denounce such hostile acts as rob.
berry and murder. ,et
Week and feeble States like those of Central
America may not feel themselves able to assert
and vindicate their rights. The case would be
tar different if expeditions were set on foot with
in our own territory to make private war a.
gainsta powerful nation. Ii such expeditions
were fitted out against any portion of our own
country, to burn down our cities, murder and
plunder our people, and usurp our government,
we should call any power on earth to the strict
est account for not preventing such enormities.
Ever since the administration of General
Washington, acts of Congress have been in force
to punish severely the crime of setting on foot
military expedition within the limits of the Uni
ted States to proceed from thence against a ma
ton or State with whom we are at peace. The
present neutrality act OF April g0tl, 1878, IS but
little more than collection of pre-existiDg laws
Under this act the President is empowered to
employ the land and naval forces and the mill
tia ''for the purpose Of preventing the carrying
on of any such expedition or enterprise from the
territories and jurisdiction OF the United States,
required to 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 un-
lawful expedition against Nicaragua, the Secre-
tary of State issued instructions to the marshals
and district attorneys, which were directed by
the Secretaries of War and the Navy to the ap-
,,ote nd
to be yigilant, and to use thir best exertons. in
carrying into effect the provisions of the act Of
1878. Notwithstanding these precautions, ths
expedition has escaped from our shores Such
can do no possible good to the coun-
try, but have already inflicted much injury both
on It's interests and its character. They have
prevented peaceful emigration from the United
States to the State of Central America, which
would not fail to prove highly beneficial to all
the parties concerned In pecuniary point of
view alone, our citizens have sustained heavy
losses from the seizure and closing of the tran
sit route by the San Juan between the two o.
ceans. ''''''
The leader of the recent expedition was ar
rested at New Orleans, but was discharged on
giving bail for his appearance. in the insufficient
sum of two thousand dollars. ,,
commend the whole subject to the serious
attention of Congress- believing that our duty
and our interest, as we'll as our national charac-
ter, require that We should adopt such measures
as will be effectual in restraining our citizens
from committing such outrages.
regret to inform you that the President of
Paraguay has refused to ratify the treaty be.
tween the United States and that State as a.
mended by the Senae, the signature of which
was mentioned in the message of my predeces.
sor to Congress at the opening of its session in
December, 1868. The reasons assigned for this
refusal will appear in the correspondence here
with submitted. t.,.....- r....i.....,
1t being desirable to ascertain the fitness oi
the river La Plata and its tributaries for naviga
ton by steam, the United States steamer Water
Witch was sent thither for that purpose in 1868
This enterprise was successfully carried on unit
February, 1856, when, whilst in the peaceful
prosecution of her voyage in the Panama river
the steamer was fired upon by Paraguan Fort
The fire was returned but as the Water Witch
was OF small force, and not designed for often
sive operations, she retired from the conflict
The pretext on which the attack was made was
decree Of the President of Paraguay OF October
1854, prohibiting foreign vessels-of-war from
navigating the rivers of that State. AS Para
quay, however, was the owner of but one bank
of the river of that name, the other belonging tc
Corrientes, state of the Argentine Confedera
tion,. the right of its government to expect tha
such decree would be obeyed cannot be &C
knowledged. But the Water Witch was moi
properly speaking, vessel-of-war She was
small steamer engaged in a scientific enterprise
intended for the advantage of commercial States
generally. Under these circumstances an
constrained to consider the attack upon her a
unjusti6abe, and as calling for satisfaction from
the Paraguan government.
Citizens of the United States, also, who wer,
established in business in Paraguay, have hav,
had their property seized and taken from them
and have otherwise been treated by the author
tiles in an insulting and arbitrary manner. which