, 1857-02-13
Highly Important Negotiation Proposed
CeSSiOn Of Granadian Territory.

The New York Times has special dis
patch from Washington that gives some
important information as to negotiations in
progress between our government and that
of New Granada: The President has caus-
ed to be submitted to the government Of
New Granada formal proposition for the
cession to the United States Of municipal
control over the Panama Railroad route,
the cities Of Aspinwall and Panama and a
strip Of the territory though which the road
passes, sufficiently wide to insure the pro-
lection of the route from future violence.
The precise form of the proposed cession
has not transpired. The desired object
may be secured either by nn absolute ces-
sion Of sovereignty and territorial domain,
by lease Of the territory to the United
States perpetually, or for term of years,
with the right to exercise undisputed mu-
nicipal control over it-or by a simple
treaty stipulation that the United States
shall have the right 10 station o military
force upon the Isthmus sufficient TO pre-
serve order and protect the transit route.
1t is a mistake to suppose that either Of
these propositions conflict with the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, which applies to political
and not geographical Central America,
and therefore has no reference to New Gra-
NADIA. ..t..
From such information as can gather,
am satisfied that the Presidents PROPOSE
ton is not for an absolute ccssion Of sover-
eighty and territorial dominion upon the
Isthmus, but for treaty concession TO US
Of perfect municipal power there, with such
restrictions upon the power Of the Federal
Government Of New Granada with reference
to the Transit route as shall give to Us IN
fact, with respect thereto, free exercise Of
all the powers Of Sovereignty for the pro-
lection and development Of American In
terests, without yielding Us the actual SOW
ereignty by name. In short, we are to
have the substance Of the thing without
the name. i}ta
The National Intelkgenoer, referring to
the same subject, sayss--'The ontrages
committed some months ago at Panama, on
the Railroad passengers crossing TO the
Pacific, doubtless directed the attention
Of our Government to the pfopriety Of de-
vising some means by which to save our
citizens from similar Outrages In future, as
well as ta render the transit Of the Isthmus
safe and unmolested route for aI travel
lers whatever. With aview, We presume,
to effect this object our Executive has, as
we understand, been negotiating with the
Government Of New Granada for cession
or transfer Of the Jurisdiction or Sovereignty
Of tract Of country on the Isthmus, embfa-
cling, Of course, the line Of the railroad, and
how much more we do not know. The aus
thorities Of the Isthmns being unable if
willing, to repress the bapditti which at
present infest Panama and neighborhood,
an arrangement which shall place that
power in our own hands viii certainly Do
very desirable, Il ~ can be effected without
complicating or involving the exterior
relations and responsibilities Of our Govern
ment to an objectionable extent We sim
ply state the fact Of the EceotIations how
ever, without touching on the political a.
pect Of the subject, ofWhich onr knowledge
Of the details Of the matter are TOO imper-
feet to permit Us 70 speak, y ~