The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-12-15

whom they may have entered into contracts,
these must be adjusted by some fair trbu-
nal provided for The purpose, and the route
must not be closed pending the con,rover-
sy. This is our whole policy, and it can
not TAIL 10 be acceptable TO olher nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided, if,
consistently with The good faith of Nicara.
qua, the use of this transit could be thrown
open 10 general competition providing at
the same time for the payment of reasona
BILE rate 10 the Nicaraguan government, on
passenners and freight.
In August 1852, the Accessory Transit
Company made its first interoceanic trip
over the Nicaraguan route, and continued
III successful operation, with great advan-
tage 10 the public, until the 18th February,
1856, wheu 1t was closed, and the grant 10
this company, as well as its charter, was
summary and arbitrarily revoked by the
government of President Rivas. Previous
10 this date, however, in 1854, serious dis
putes concerning the settlement of their
accounts had arisen between the company
and the Government, threatening the inter
ruption OF the route at any moment. These
the U. s. i'll vain enGeavored TO compose
II would be useless 10 rarrale the various
proceedings which took place between the
parties, up till the time when the transit
was discontinued Suffice il TO say, that,
since February, 1856, il has remained clos
ed, greatly TO the prejudice of citizens of
the United States. Since that time The COM
petition has ceased between The rival routes
OF Panama and Nicaragua, and, in conse-
quence thereof, an unjust and unreasonable
amount has been eXacted from our citizens
for their passage 10 and from California.
A treaty was signed on the 10th day of
November, 1857, by the Secretary of Slate
and Minister of Nicaragua, under the stipu-
lations OF which the use and protection of
The transit route would have been secured,
not only 10 the Uniied States, bu equally 10
all other nations, How and on what pre-
text this treaty has failed 10 receive the rat
ification of the Nicaraguan Government
will appear by the papers herewith commu-
nicated from the State Department. The
principal objection seems 10 have been 10
The provision authorizing the United States
TO employ force TO keep the route open, in
case Nicaragua should fail 10 perform her
duty in this respect.
From the feebleness of that republic, its
frequent changes of government, and its
constant internal discussions, this lad be-
come most important stipulation, and one
essentially necessary not only for the secur.
ity of the route, bul for the safety of Ameri.
can citizens passing and renassing 10 and
from our Pacific possessions. Were such
stipulation embraced in treaty between
the United States aud Nicaragua, the knowl.
edge of this fact would of itself most proba-
bly, prevent hostile parties from committing
aggressions on the route, and render our
actual Interference for its protection unnec-
essary
The Executive Government of this coun-
e.
is limited in the employment of diplomacy
alone. 1t cannot legitimatey resort 10 force
without the direct authority of Congress,
except in resisting and repeling hostile at.
tacks Ii would have no authority 10 enter
the territories OF Nicaragua, even 10 prevent
the destruction of the transit, and protect
the lives and property OF our own cilizens
on their passage 1t is true that, on a sud-
den emergency of this character, the Presi.
nent would direct any armed force in the
vicinity 10 march 10 their relief; but in doing
this lie would act upon his own RESPONSE
bility.
Under these circumstances, 7 earnestly
recommend TO Congress the passage of an
act authorizing the President, under such
restrictions as they may deem proper, 10
employ the land aud naval forces of the U.
S. in preventing the transit from being OBJ
struced or closed by lawless violence, and
in protecting the lives aud property of Amer
lean citizens travelling thereupon, requiring
at the same time that these forces shall be
withdrawn the moment the danger shall
have passed away. Without such provis-
ion, our citizens will be constantly exposed
10 interruption in their progress, and 10 law
less violence. A similar necessity exists for
the passage of such an act for the protection
of the Panama and Tehuantepec routes.
| In reference 10 the Panama route, the U.
| 5. by their existing treaty with New -Grana.
| da, expressly guarantee the neutrality of the
| lsthmus, "with the view that the free tran
sit from one 10 the other sea may not be
interrupted or embarrassed in any future
| time while this treaty exists.
| In regard 10 the Tehuantepec route, which
has been recently opened under the most
favorable auspices, our treaty with Mexico
of the 30lh December, 1853, secures to the
citizens OF the United States right of transit
| over 1t Tor their persons and merchandise,
| and stipulates that neither Government
| shall 'lnterpose any obstacle" thereto. Ii
| also comedies TO the United States the "right
10 transport across the Islhmus, in closed
bags, the mails of the United States not in
tended for distribution along The line OF the
communication; also, the effect of the u. S
! Government and lis citizens which may be
, intended for transit and not for distribution
on lhe !slhmus, free of custom house or
other charges by the Mexican government"
These treaty stipulations with New Gra'
NADIA and Mexico, in addition TO the consid-
eratons applicable 10 the Nicaragua route,
seem 10 require legislation Tor the purpose
of carrying them into effect
The injuries which have been inflicted
upon our citizens in Costa Rca and Nicara-
qua, during the lat two or three years, have
received the prompt attention of this Gov
eminent. Some OF these injuries were ol
the most aggravated character The trans
action at Virgin Bay in April, 1856, when q
company of unarmed Americans, who were
in no way connected with any belligeren
conduct or party, were fred upon by the
troops of COSTA Rica, and numbers of them
killed and wounded, was brought TO the
knowledge Of Congress by my predecessor
SOON alter its occurrence, and was also pre-
sented to the government of Costa Rica, fol
that immediate investigation and redress
/ which the nature of the case demanded.
A similar course was pursued with refer
ence 10 other ouirages in those countries
some OF which were hardly less aggravated
in their character than the transaction a
Virgin Bay. At this time, however, wher
our present Minister TO Nicaragua was ap
! pointed, in December, 1857, no redress hac
been obtained for any of these wrongs, ant
no reply even had been received 10 the de
mands which had been made by this gov
eminent upon that of Costa Rica NOR,