Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-12-10

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ring at the same time that these forces shall be
withdrawn the moment the danger shall have
| passed away. Without such provision our
citizens will be constantly exposed to Interrupt
ton in their progress, and to lawless violence.
\ similar necessity exists for the passage of
/ such an act for the protection OF the Panama
and Tehuantepec route.
In reference 10 the Panama route the United
/ States, by their existing treaty with New Gra-
NADIA. expressly guarantee the neutrality of the
lsthmus, with the view that the free transit
from the one TO the other sea may not be in
terrupted or embarrassed in any future time
while this treaty exists.
/ In regard to the Tehusntepec route, which has
been recently opened under the most favorable
auspices, treaty with Mexico Of the Both De
cemher, 1853, to the citizens of the United
States right of transit over it for their persons
, and merchandiz, and stipulates that neither gov
ernmcnt shall ''interpOse any obstacle" thereto.
Ii also concedes to the Unite States the right
transport across the Isthmus, in closed bags, the
mails Of the United States not intended for distr-
button along tn! line Of the communication; also,
the effects Of the United States government and its
citizens which may be intended for transit, and
not for distribution the Isthmus free of custom
house or other charges by the Mexican govern
ment.
These treaty stipuations with New Granada
and Mexico, in addition to the considerations
applicable to the Nicaragua route, seem 10 re
quire legislation for the purpose of carrying
them into effect.
The injuries which have been inflicted upon
our citizens in Costa Rica and Nicarrgua du-
ring the last two or three years, have received
the prompt attention of this government
Some of these injuries were of the most ag-
gravated character.
The transactions at Virgin Bay in April, in $50.
when company Of unarmed Americans, who were
in 20 way connected with any belligereut conduct
or party, were fired upon by the troops of Costa
Rica, and numbers Of them killed and wounded,
was brought TO the know ledge ef Congress by my
predecessor soon after the occurrence, and also
presented to the government of Costa Rica, for
that immediate investigation and rsiress which
the nature of 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
. al Virgin Bay.
At the time, however, when our present min
minister to Nicaragua was appointed, in Dccem-
Der, 1857, no redress had been obtained for
any of these wrongs, and no reply 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 instructed, therefore, to loose no time in
expressing to those governments the deep re-
gret with which the President had Witnessed
this inattention to the just claims of the United
States and in demanding their PROMPT and
satisfactory adjustment.
Unless this demand shall be complied with
Al early day. it will only remain for this
government to adopt such measures as may be
necessary, in order TO obtain for itselfthat jus-
tice which ii has in vain attempted to secure
by peaceful means, from the governments of
Nicaragua and Costa Rca. While il has shown
and will continue to show. the most sincere re-
gard for the rights and honor OF those repuh-
lies. it cannot permit this regard to be met by
an utter neglect, on their part, of what is due
the government and citizens of the [. $
Against New Granada We have long standing
cause of complaint arising out OF the unsatis-
fed claims Of our citizens upon that repulic.
and TO these have been more recently added
the outrages committed upon our citizens at
Panama i'll April 1886. \ treaty for the ad-
iustment of these difficulties was concluded by
the Secretary of State and the minister of New
Granada, i'll September. 1851. which contained
just an acceptable PROVISIONS Tor that purPo:ss.:
ratified by the government Of New Grenada, but
with certain am endments. 1t was not, howevcr,
returned to this city, until after the close of the
last session of the Senate. 1t will be Immediately
transmitted to that body for their advice and con
sent, and should this be obtained, it viii remove
all our existing causes oi complaint against New
Granada on the subject Of claims.
Questions have arisen between the two gov
crnmcnts to the right Of New Granada to
levy tonnage duty upon the vessels Of the
United States in its ports Of the lsthmus, and
to levy passenger tax upon our citizens arri-
wing in that country, whether with "a design 70
remain there, or 10 pass from ocean 10 occanhy
the transit route: and also a tax upon the mail
III Unit -..l
ANA railroad The government Of New Gra-
NADIA has been informed that the United States
would consider the collection of either Of these
taxes as an act in violation Of the treaty be-
tween the two countries, and as such would be
resisted by the United States.
At the same time, We are prepared to discuss
these questions in a spirit Of aIniy and justice,
and with sincere desire t adjust them in a sat
isfactory manner negotiation for that purpose
has already been commenced. No effort has
Gently been made to collect these taxes, is any
anticipated under present circumstances.
With the empire of Brazil our relations are
of the most friendly character. The produc-
tions of the two countries, and especially those
of an agricultural nature, are such As to in
vite extensive mutual exchanges. \ large
quantity of American -four is consumed in
Brazil. whilst more than treble the amount in
value of brazilian coffee is consumed in the
United States.
Whilst this is the case, heavy duty has
been levied, until very recently, upon the I'M
portation of American flour into Brazil. | am
gratitied. however, 10 be able to inform You
that in September last this has been reduced
from 81 y to about torty-nine cents per bar
rel, and the duties on other articles of our pro-
duction have been diminished in nearly the
proportion.
regret to state that the government Of Bra
iii still continues to levy an export duty of
about IL per cent. on coffee, notwithstanding
this article is admitted free from duty in the
United States. This is heavy charge upon
, the consumers of coffee in our country as we
purchase half of the entire surplus crop of that
article raised in Brazil.
/, Our Minister under instructions will reiter-
ate his efforts to have this export duty removed
and it is hoped that the nlightened government
i OF the Emperor will adopt this wise, just and
j equal policy In that event there is good rea-
on 10 believe that the commerce between the
two countries will increase much TO the advan-
tage of both.
The claims of our citizens against the gov
ernment of Brazil are not, in the aggregate. Of
very large amount: but some Of these rest
upon plain principles of justice, and their set
tlement ought not TO be longer delayed. \
renewed and earnest, and trust successful
effort. will be made by our minister to procure
-.