Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-16

their Will and power 10 protect ther cltlzeiS,
and that Sc severe Christening is the only earth
ly remedy for our grievances. From this
statement of facts it would have boon worse than
idle to direct Mr.. Forsyth to retraco his steps
and resume diplomatic relations with that gov
eminent and it was, therefore, deemed proper
to sanction his withdrawal of the legation from
the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists for
resort to hostilltes against the government still
holding possession of the capital. Should they
succeed in subduing the constitutional forces all
reasonable hope will then have expired of u
peaceful settlement of our difficulties.
On the other hand, should the constitutional
party prevail, and their authority be established
over the republic, there is reason to hope that
they will be animated by a less unfriendly spir
it, and may grant that redress to American cit
zens which justice requires, so lar rs they may
possess the means Bnt for this expectation
should at once have recommended to Congress to
grant tae necessary power to the President to
take possession of IL sufficient portion of the re
mote and unsettled territory OF Mexico, to be
held in pledge until our injuries shall be re-
dressed and our Just demands b. satisfied We
have already exhausted every milder means of
obtaining justice. In such IL case this remedy
of reprisal is recognized Ivy the law or nations,
not only rs just to itself, but as II means of pre-
venting actual war.
But there is another view of our relations with
Mexico, arising from the unhappy condition of
affairs along our Southwestern frontier, which
demands immediate action In that remote re-
gion, where there are but few white inhabt-
ants, large bands Of hostile and predatory In
dams roam promiscuously over the Mexican
States of Chiluahua and Sonora and our ad
joining rerri6&sses- The local governments Of
these States are perfectly helpless. and are kept
IN IA state of constant alarm by the Indians.
They have not the power, it they possessed the
will, even to restrain lawless Mexicans from
passing the border and committing depredations
on our remote settlers. A state of anarchy and
violence prevails throughout that distant from
tier. The laws are dead letter, and life and
property are wholly insecure. For this reason
the settlement of Arizona is arrested, whilst it
is of great Importance that a chain ct inhabit-
ants should extend along its southern border.
sufficient for their own protection and that OF
the United States mail passing to and from CAL
ifornil.
Well founded apprehensions are now enter
tanned, that the Indians, and wandering Next
cans equally lawless, may break up the impor-
tant stage and postal communication recently
established between our Atlantic and Pacific
possessions. This passes very near t" the Next
can boundary, throughout the whole length OF
Arizona can imagine no possible remedy Tor
these evils. and no mode of restoring Law and
order on that remote and unsettled frontier, bat
for the government OF the United States I'd as
sumo ~ temporary protectorate over the north
ern portions Of Chihuahua and Sonora, and to
establish military posts within the same; and
this is earnestly recommended to Congress.
This protection may be withdrawn, as soon cs
local governments shall be established in theS,
Maxieln States, capable Of prfrmins tn 'ir du-
ties to Che United States, restraining the lawless
and preserving peace along the border.
do not doubt that this measure will be view
ed in friendly spirit by the governments and
people of Chihuahua and Stnora, as it will
prove equally eiftctua for the protection of THEN
citizens on that remote and lawless frontier, ~
T for citizens of the United States.
And in this connection permit me to recall
your attention to Arizona. The population o
that territory numbering, as is alledged, more
than ten Thousand souls, and practically with
out II government, without, laws, and without
any regular administration of jtstice. Murlel
and other crimes are committed with impunity
This state of things calls loudly for redress
and l, therefore, repeat my recommendation FOL
the establishment Of IL territorial government
over Arizona.
The political condition of the narrow isthmu'
of Central America, Through which trins
rout pass, between the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans, presents subject OF deep interest to al
commercial nations. 1t is over these transit
that a large proportion of The trade and trave
between the European and AsiAtic continents i
, destined to pass. 10 the United States thes
routes are of inc,cul .bl, Importance as
means Of communication between their Attain
TIC and Pacific POSSESSES ms. The latter now OK
tend throughout seventeen degrees OF latitud
on the plciiic coast. embracing the importln
f State OF California and the hJurlshing Terrific
res of Oregon and Washington. All CONNER
cidl nations, therefore, have deep and direc
interest that these communications Shall be rem
dTed secHr1 from interruption. 1t an arm L
, the sea, connecting the two oceans, pen trate
= through Nicaragua and Costa Ricl, il could M
be prat nd.d that these States would have til
right 10 arrest or retard its navigation to til
t injury of other nations The transit by Ian
Q over this narrow isthmus occupies nearly til
SINE position. It'll IL highway in which the
h, themselves have little interest, when compare
with tao vast interests of the rest of the worlt
Whilst their rights Of sovereignty ought t
G be resp ctcd, 1t is the duty of other nations
# require taat tins important passage SHALL not
int 3rrupIed Ivy the evil wars and rtvolulionar
b outhr AXIS which have 50 frequently occurred
, that region. rae stake is too important to /
Il Left at the mercy Of rival complnl,s, clAimin
c to hold conflicting contracts with NcdrlGu'
: The commerce of the other nations is not
:. stanl still and await ta1 ad justment of sue
8 petty cintrJy ,rsi.s The gov5rnln mt Of tt
i United Sttt,s expect no more than this an
b, they will MT b. satisfied with less. They wou
e not, il they could rive any advantage fro
t the Nicaragua transit, not mmon to the re
s Of the world. Its neutrality and protection
1t for the common u.s. OF all nations, is their on
v object. icy have II, object IN that Near ~
o shall demand and receive IL fir c,mp1nsitly
}. from the Companies and individuals who IN
n traverse the route; but they insist that it s'a
1t never hereafter BE- closed by an arbitrary der
:. of that W rnmcnt If dlspates arisa b3iwN
d it aud tlosa vita whom they may have enter
is into contracts these must b. adjusted by son
fair tribunal provided for the purpose, and t
m route must not b. CLOSED pending the cjntr
T. versy. Tais.isLAlE .whola ps,liey. and it cana
II fail to he acceptable to other nations
ID All these difficulties mig b. avoided it, co
D. sistent with the good faith of Nicaragua, t
e us, Of this transit could b. thrIwn open &, &c
Nd eral competitions providing ut the same til
I'd for the payne 1t Of reasonable rate to the J
at carLgua governm mt on passengers and lreigf
IN In August, 1852, the Accessory Transit Coz
W pany made its first int1rocaLnic trip over t
" NieAraguan route, and continued in success
ut operation with great advantage t. the publ
r. until the 18th of February, 1855, when it W
IN closed. and the grant to this company. as W
l. as its charter, were summarily and arbtrlr
ed revoked by the government of Pr1sidnt Riv,
to Previous 10 this date, however, in 1854, sarid
y disputes concerning the settlsm mt Of their ,
IA counts had arisen between the company and
g, government, threatening the interruption Of
til route at any m)m mt. Tnes, the United Sta