The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-11

puteS con cernlpg the settlement Of their ac-
counts had arisen between the company and
the government, threatening the Interrupt
ton OF the route at any moment. These the
United States in vain endeayored to compose
1t would be useless to narrate the various
proceedings which took place between the
parties, up till the time when the transit
was discontinued. Suffice it to say, that
since February, $50, it has remained closed
greatly TO the prejudice Of citizens of the
United States. Since that time the compe-
.i,ion has ceased between the rival routes of
Panama and Nicaragua, and, in consequence
thereof, an unjust and unreasonable amount
has been ex.c,ed from our citizens Tor their
passage to and from California.
treaty was signed on the lC;h day OF
November, 1857, by the Secretary Of State
and Minister OF Nicaragua, under the stipu-
!; tons OF which the use and protection OF
the Transit route would have been secured,
not only to The United States, but equally
to all other nations How and on what pre-
texts this treaty has failed TO receive the rat
ification Of the Nlcaragusn government, will
appear by the papers herewith communion
ted fron the State Department. The prn-
cipal Digestion seems 20 have been to the
provision authorizing the United States to
employ force to keep the route open, in case
Nicaragua should fail to perform her duty
in this respect. From the feebleness of that
republic, lis frequent changes Of government
and It's constant internal dissensions, this
had become most Important stipulation,
and enc essentially necessary, net only for
the security Of the route, but for the safety
Of American citizens passing aad repassing
to and from our Pacific possessions. Were
such stipulation embraced in treaty be-
, t,t-aa tho Mt rod o,l Ia
knowledge Of this fact would of itself most
probably prevent hostile parties from COM
uniting aggression on the route, aud render
cur actual interference for It's protection IN
necessary.
| The executive government Of this country
| in it's intercourse with foreign nations, is
/ limited TO the employment of diplomacy
alone. When this fails, 1t can proceed no
/ further. 1; cannot lesi;imatey resort to
/ force, without the direct authority of Con
gress excep, in resisting and rspel!ing hos
/ tile attacks. 1t would have authority 10
enter the territories of Nicaragua, even 10
prevent the destruction o: The transit, aad
protect the lives and property OF our own
citizens on their passage. Ii is Il ue that on
a sudden emergency of this character, the
President would direct any armed e,ce in
the vicinity 10 march to their relief, but ia
doing in this he would act upon his own re-
spsusioil!ty.
Under these circumstance, ! earnestly re-
commend to congress tn" passage Of an act
authorizing the President, under such re-
strictiOnS as they may deem proper, TO EN-
/ ploy the land and naval forces of ihs nited
States in preventing the transit from being
ehstruc,ed or closed by la.l.-s violence,
and in protecting the lives and yrcperiy ot
American citizens travelling theFtupon, re-
curing II the ssTlc time that these :vrre
shall be Withdrawn the gls:n.nt the danger
snail have passed away. Without snch a
provision, oar citizens vii oe constantly OPP
posed to interruption in their progress, sad
/ to la1l.cz violence.
/ A similar necessity exists for IL, passage
81 such an act, for the Pro:cct!sn ofthe Pm
ANA ard TehuAn,epcc routes.
la reference to the Panama route, the
/ United States, by their existing treaty with
New Granada, expressly guarantee the nsu-
tralty 9. the ls;hmuS, with the view that
the free transit from one 10 the o.heT sea
NAV not be interrupted or embarrassed in any
furure time while the treaty exists.
In regard 70 the Tehuantcpec route, which
has been recently opened under the most
/ favorable auspices, cur treaty with Mexico
/ OF the 30th December, 1913, secures 10 the
citizens Of the United States risat OF tran
sit over il: for their persons and neTchan-
disc, and slpu,ates that neither government
shall ".GtcTposc az obstacle thereto. 1t
I also comedies to the United safes the right
TO transport across ihe !stLmu;, IN close:
bags, the mails OF the United states not n
tended or distribution along the line OF Ia
communication also the-ctiects of the Uni
ted States government and It's citizens winch
:. 4 e. n,,,i for u =
tribution on the isthnus, free Of custom
house or ether charges by the Mexican g.v-
crnment."
/ These treaty s.ipuations with New Ora
NADIA and Mexico. in addition TO the consde-
ration. applicable TO the Nicaragua route,
/ seem 20 require legislation for the parposc
. of carrying them into effect.
/ Tne injuries which have been inflicted up
/ in our citizens in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
DURING the last two or three years have re-
/ c,ived lhe prompt attention of this govern
nent Some Of these injuries were Of the
/ !!,-s, aggravated character. The trsrsac-
ten at Virgin Bay, in April, 1866, when
company Of unarmsd Americans, who were
! in no way connected with any beiigsraRt
/ conduct or party, were fired upon by the
troops Of Css,s Riea, and numbers Of them
killed and wounded, was brought to the
knowledge of Congress by my predecessor
soon after its occurrence, e q was also pre-
scented to the government. Oh c--ia Nica, 10!
that Immediate investigation and rcures-
which the nature OF the case demanded. 4
silna. course was putsued with reference
to other ostrages in these countries, some
Of which we're hardly less aggravated in their
character than the transactions At Virgin
Bay. Al the time, however, when cur pre-
sent Minister to Nicaragua was appointed,
in December, 1857, no redress had been OBJ
tanned tor any OF these wrongs, and no re-
ply even had been received to the demands
which had been made by this government
upon that OF Costa Rica, more than year
before. Our minister was ms ructed, there
fore, to loose no time in expressing to these
governments the deep regret with which the
President had witnessed this inattention to
the Just claims of the United States, and in
demanding their prompt and satisfactory ad-
jnstnent Unless this demand shall be com
piled Eyith at al early day it will Only
remain fer this government to adopt
such other measures as may be necessary,
in erdsr to obtain for itself that justics which
/ it has in vain attempted TO secure by peace
ful means, from the governments OF Nicara
qua and Costa RIGA. While it hes shown,
and will continue to show, the most sincere
regard for the rights and honor OF hese re-
pub!ics, it cannot permit this regard to be
met by An utter neglect, on their part, of
what is due to the government and citizens
Of the United States.
Against New Granada we have long stand
ing causes of complaint arising out of the
! unsatisfied claims Of our citizens at Pana-
ma in April, 1856. A treaty for the adj ust-
rnent OF these difficulties, was concluded by
the Secretary Of State and the Minister of
New Granada, in September, 1857, which
contained just and acceptable provisions for
that purpose. This treaty was transmitted
to Bosots, and was ratified by the govern