The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-12-16
VOLS.

And in this connection permit me to recall
your attention to the condition Arizona. Tn,
population of that territory, numbering, as il
alleged, more than ten thousand souls, are prac
tioaily without government, without laws, o.
any regular administration of justice. Muir
der aud other crimes are committed with i'm
punity. This state Of things calls loudly fo
redress; and ], therefore, repeat my recon-
mendAtion for the establishment Of . terri
torial government over Arizona.
The political condition of the narrow 18th
mus of Central American through which tran
cit routes pass, between the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans, presents . subject of deep in
terest to all commercial nations. 1t is eve,
these transits that large proportion Of the
trade and travel between the European and
Asiatic continents is destined to pass. To the
United States these rontes are of incalculable
Importance as q means Of communication be
tween their Atlantic and Pacific possessions
The latter now extend throughout seventeen
degrees of latitude on the Pacific coast en-
bracing the important State Of California and
the fourishing territories of Oregon and
Washington. All CONNER cial nations, there.
fore, have deep and direct interest, that
these communications shall be rendered Sc
cure from interruption. Ifan arm Of the sea
connecting the two ocean, penetrated through
Nicaragua and Costa RIGA, it could not be
pretended that the States would have the
right to arrest or retard its navigation to the
injury of other nations. The transit by land
over this narrow isthmus occupies nearly the
same position. 1t is a highway in which they
themselves have little interest; when COM
pared with the vast interests of the rest OF
the world. Whilst their rights of sovereign
~ ought to be respected, it is the duty of
other ati0ua IN roouiro that fhia 10 nj
passage shall not be interrupted, by the civil
wars and revolutionary outbreaks which
have 20 frequently occurred in that region
The stake is too important to be left at the
mercy Of rival companies, claiming to hold
connection with Nicaragua. The commerce
Of other nations is not 10 stand still and wait
the adjustment Of such pretty controversies
The government of the United States expect
no more than this, and they will not be salts
hsd with less. They would not, if they could
derive any advantage from the Nicaragua
transit, not common to the rest Of the world
Its neutrality aud protection, for the common
use of all nations, is their only object. They
have no objections that Nicaragua shall de.
mand and receive fair compensation from
the companies and individuals wi no may ira
verse the route; but they insist that it shall
never hereafter be closed by An arbitrary de-
cree Of that government. 1t disputes arise
bstween it and those with whom they may
have entered into contracts, these must be
adjusted by some fair tribunal provided for
the purpose, and the route must not be closed
pending the controversy. This is our whole
policy, and it cannot fail to be acceptable to
other nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided if
consistently with the good faith of Nicaragua
the use of the transit could be thrown open t
general competition, provided, at the same
time, for the payment Of a reasonable rated te
the Nicaraguan government, on passengers
and freight.
In August, 1852, the Accessory Transit Co.
made the first interoceanie trip over the Nj.
caraguAn route, and Continued in successful
operation, with great advantage to the pub
lie, until the 18th of February, 1856, when il
was closed, and the grant TO this company
- well as it's charter, were summarily and
arbitrarily revoked by the government OF
President Rivas. Previous to this date, how.
ever, in 1854, serious disputes concerning the
settlement of their accounts had arisen be.
tween the company and the government
threatening the interruption Of the route al
any moment. These the United States in
vain endeavored to compose. II would be use.
less to narrste the various proceedings which
took place between the parties, up till the
time when the transit was discontinued. Suf
Zee to say that, since February, 1856, it has
remained closed, greatly to the prejudice OF
citizens Of the United States. Since that time
the competition has ceased between the rival
routes Of Panama and Nicaragua, and, in con.
sequence thereof, an unjust and unreasonabl
amount has been exacted from our citizen,
for their passage to and from California.
A treaty was signed on the 10th day of Nov
1857, by the Secretary of State and Minister
of Nicaragua, under the stipulations of which
the use and protection Of the Transit route
would have been secured, not only to the Uni.
ted States but equally to all other nations
How and on what pretexts this treaty failed
TO receive the ratification of the Nicarguan
government, will appear by the papers here.
with communicated from the State Depart.
ment. The principle objection seems to have
been to the provision authorizing the United
States to employ force to keep the route open
in case Nicaragua should fail to perform hel
duty in this respect. From the feebleness OF
that republic, its frequent changes Of govern.
mont and its constant internal dissensions
this had become most important stipulation
and one essentially necessary not only for the
security of the route, but for the safety o.
American citizens passing and repassiag tt
Q stipulation embraced in q treaty between
the United States and Nicaragua, the knowl
edge Of the fact would Of itself most probably
prevent hostile parties from committing ag
gressions on the route, and render our actua
interference for its protection unnecessary.
The executive government of this country
In its intercourse with foreign nations i.
limited to the employment Of diplomacy alone
When this fails, it can proceed no further
II cannot legitimately resort to force, without
the direct authority Of Congress, except il
resisting and rebelling hostile attacks. L
would have no authority to enter the territory
Of Nicaragua, even to prevent the destruction
Of the transit and protect the lives and pro
perty of our own citizens on their passage
1t 10 true that on sudden emergency of thi
character, the President would direct an,
armed force in the vicinity to march to theil
relief, but in doing this he would act upon hi
ewn responsibility.
Under these circumstances, earnestly re
commend to Congress the passage of an &C
suthorizig the President, under such restric
lions Is they may deem proper, to employ tn
land and naval forces of the United States il
preventing the transit from being obstructe'
or closed by lawless violence, and in protect
ing the lives and property Of American citi
Gems traselling thereupon, requiring at til
aame TINA that these forces shall be with