The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22

most favorable auspices, oar treaty with
Mexico of the 30th Dece mber, 1853. Sc
cures to the citizens of the United States
a right to transit over it for their persons
and merchandise, and stipulates that nei-
ther government shall 'interpose any OBJ
stacle' thereto. 1t also comedies to the
United States the right to transport across
the Isthmus, in closed bags, the mails of
the United States not intended for distri-
button along the line of the communica-
ton; also the effects of the United States
government and its citizens which may as
intended for transit, and not for distribu.
tion on the Isthmus, free of Custom House
or other charges by the Mexican govern
rnent'
These treaty stipulations with New
Granada and Mexico, in addition to the
considerations applicable to the Nicaragua
route, seem to require legislation for the
purpose of carrying them into effect
The injuries which have been inflicted
upon our citizens in Costa Kica and Nj
caragua during the last two or three years,
have received the prompt attention of this
government. Some of these injuries were
of the most aggravated character. The
transaction at Virgin Bay in April, 1856,
when company of unarmed Americans,
who were in no way connected with any
belligerent conduct or rarty, were fired up
on by the troops of Costa Rica, and num-
bers of them killed and wounded, was
brought to the knowledge of Congress by
my predecessor soon after its occurrence,
and was also presented to the government
OF Costa Rica, for that immediate inves.
| tigation aud redress which the nature oi
the case demanded. A similar course was
pursued with reference to other outrages
in these countries, some of which were
hardly less aggravated in their character
than the transaction at Virgin Bay.
At the time, however, when our present
Minister to Nicaragua was appointed, ir
December, 1851, no redress had been OBJ
tanned for any of these wrongs, and nc
reply even had been received to the de-
mands which had been made by this gov
ernment upon that of Costa Rica, more
than year before Our Minister was
instructed therefore, to lose no time
in expressing to those governments the
deep regret with which the President hat
witnessed the inattention to the just claim'
of the United States, ard in demanding
their prompt and satisfactory adjustment
Unless this demand shall be complied witt
at an early day, it will only remain fo
this government to aeopt such other meas
ures as may be necessary, in order to OBJ
tain for itself that justice which it has il
vain attempted to secure by peaceful mean
from the governments of Nicaragua ant
Costa Rica. While it has shown, ant
will continue to show, the most SINGER
regard for the rights and honor of thes
republics, it cannot permit this regard t,
be met by an utter neglect on their par
of what is due to the government and cit
tizens of the United States.
Against New Granada we have Ion,
standing causes of complaint, arising GU
Of the unsatis6ed claims of our citizen
: upon that republic; and to these hav
been more recently added the outrage
> committed upon our citizens OF Panam
in April 1856. A treaty for the adjust
ment of these difficulties was conclude,
by the Secretary of State and the Minis
, ter of New Granada, in September, 1851
which contained just and acceptable pro
! visions for that purpose. This treaty wa
transmitted to Bogota, and was ratified b
the governments. 1t was not, however re
turned to this city until after the close Q
the last session of the Senate. 1t will b
Immediately transmitted to tbatbody fo
their advice and consent; and should til
be obtained,sit will remove all our exist
ing causes of complaint against New;Gran
ada on the subject of claims.
+ Questions have arisen between the tw
, governments as to the right of New Gran
ada to levy tonnage duty upon the YES
sells of the United States IN its ports of tn
f Isthmus' and to levy passenger tax up
on our citizens arriving in that country
whether with design to remain there o
f to pass from ocean to ocean by the tran
I sit route, and also tax upon the mail
, of the United States transported over tn
I Panama Railroad. The government G
New Granada has been informed that th
y United States would consider the collec
, tion Of either of these taxes as an act G
h violation of the treaty between the tw
countries, and as such would be resiste
q by the United States At the same time
/, we are prepared to discuss these ques
5 tions in a spirit of amity and justice, an
! with sincere desire to adjust them in
p satisfactory manner. A negotiation fo
+ that purpose has already been commenced
J.. No effort has recently been made to co
lect these taxes. nor is any anticipate
9 under present circumstances.
= With the empire of Brazil our relation
: are of the most friendly character. Th
productions of the two countries, and e,
! pecially those of an agricultural nature, a,
q such as to invite extensive mutual exchar
J. ges. A large quantity of American -four
e consumed in Brazil, whilst more than trt
v BILE the amount in value of Brazilian coffe