Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-12-10

shall have passed away. Without such a
provision, our citiIsns will be- constantly
exposed TO interruption in their progress,
and 10 lawless violence.
A similar necessity exists for the passage
Of such an act, for the protection Of the
Panama and Tehauntepec rouiss.
In reference n the Panama route. the
United Safes by their existing treaty with
New Granada, expressly guarantee the neu.
trality of the Isthmus, with the view that
the free transit from one 10 the other SEA
may not bo interrupted or embarrassed in
any future time while the treaty exists"
In regard 10 the Tehauntepcc route which
has been recently opened under the most Ia
yorshlc auspices. our treaty with Mexico Of
the 30th December, 1858, secures % the cit
tens Of the United States 4 right Of transit
over il for their persons and merchandise,
and stipulates that neither government shall
" interposs any obstacle" thereto. IL also
comedies 90 the United States the Fright
20 transport across the Isthmus. IN closed
bags, the mails Of the United States not In
ted for distribution along the line Of tho
communication also the effects OF the Uni
ted States Government and its citizens
which may he intended for transit, aud not
for distribution on the I.thmus. free oi Gus
tom.housc or other charges by the Mexican
government"
These treaty stipula,ions with New Gran
ada ard Mexico. in addition 10 tho eonsii-
erations applicable % the Nicaragua route
seem % rcquirc legislation for the purpo-s
Of carrying them into effect.
The injuries which have been inflicted up
on our citizens ia Costa RiCA and Nicaragua
during the last two or three years. have ro-
cciVcd the prompt attention NJ this govern
ment. Some OF these injuries were of tho
most aggravated character. The transac.
ton a, Virgin Bay, in 1856. when com.
pany Of unirmed Americans. Who were IN
no wav connected with any belligerrnt con-
duct OF party, were fired upon by the troops
Of Costa Rica. aud numbers VI them killed
and wounded. was brought 90 the know.
ledge q Congress by my predecessor. soon
after it, occurrence, ana was also presented
90 tho government 81 Costa Ria, cor that
immediate Investigation and redress which
the nayure OF the ease demanded. A SINH
lar course was pursued with reference 90
other outragcs in these countries, some ~
which were hardly les aggravated In their
character than the Transaction at Virgin
Bay.
AZ the time. however. when our present
minister 10 Nicaragua was appointed, in
December. 1857, no redress had been obtain.
"a for any Of these wrongs, and no reply
even had tcen received 30 the demands that
had been made by this government upon
that Of Costa Rica, more than a year be-
before. Our minister was instructed. there
fore. TO lose no time in expressing To theso
governments the deep regret with which tho
President had witnessed this inattention %
the Just claims Of the United States. and in
demanding their prompt and satisfactory
adjustment. Unless this demand shall DO
complied with at an early day IL will only
remain for this government u adopt such
other measures a. may h. necessary, in or.
der 10 obta n Tor itself that justice which il
hiss m vain attempted 10 SECURE ty poIoe-
fol means. irum the governments Of Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica. While IL has shown,
and will continue to show. the most sincere
regard for the rights and honor OF these re-
publics, IL cannot permit this regard 70 Do
met by an utter neglect, on their part, Of
what Is due 20 the government and citizens
OF the United States.
Against New Granada We have long stand
ing causes OF complaint arising out Of tho
unsatisfed claims OF our citizens upon that
republic and 20 these have bycn more r.
Gently added the outrages committed upon
our citizens at Panama, IN April, 1886. \
treaty Tor the adjustment OF thesc difficult
tics, was concluded by the Secretary Of
State and the minister Of New Granada, in
September, 1857, which contained just and
acceptable provisions Tor that purpose.
THIS treaty was transmitted 10 B0gOta, and
was ratified by the government Of New
Granada. but with certain amendments. IL
was not however, returned 20 this city until
after the close Of the last session Of the Sou
ate. IL will be Immediately Transmitted 10
that body iUr their advice and consent, and
should this DO obtained, il will remove all
our existing causes ot complaint against
New Granada, on the subject Of claims.
Questions have arisen between the two
governments as 20 the ght Of New Grlna-
ia 20 levy a tonnage duty upon the vessels
Of tho United States in d pJrts Of the 18th.
mus. and 10 levy passenger tax upon our
with q design ~ remain there or 10 pass
from ocean 10 ocean by the transit route.
and also 20 tax uppn tis mails OF tho Uni.
tea States transported over the Panama
Railroad.
The government " New Granada has been
informed that the United States would con-
slider the collection OF either Of these taxes
as an act OF violation Of the treaty between
the two countries, and a. such would b. re-
sisted by the United States. AZ the sane
time we are prepared TO discuss there quc--
tions In spirit % aimity aud justice, and
with sincere desire % adjust them in a sat-
ishetory manner. A negotiation Tor that
plrpose has already been cummenced No
,irort las recently been made 20
collect these taIc-, nor il any anticipated
under the present circumstances.
With the empire OF Brazil our relations
are OF the most friendly character. The
products Of the two countries. and especially
those Of an agricultural natu re-, are such as
To invite extensive mutual exchanges. 4
large quantity. Of American -four is consul
med in Brazil; whilst more than treble tho
amount in value OF Brazilian cole j. con-
sumed in the United states. Whilst this u
the case, heavy duty has been levied, I'M
I'll very recently, upon the imporiati1ns Of
American -four into Brazil. am gra,ifrd
however, TO h. able to inform YOU that IN
September last this has bcen reduced from
81 80 TO about 10 cents PER barrel, and tho
duties on on other articles Of our produc-
ton have been diminished in nearly the samo
proportion.
regret TO state that the government Of
Brazil still continue. TO levy an export du-
" Of about / percent on coffee, nolwith-
standing thi. article is admitted free from
duty in the United States. Thi. Is heavy