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


performing their duties to the United States,
stranng the lawless and preserving peace along
the border.
But there is another view of our relations
with Mexico, arising from the unhappy condi
ton of affairs along our southwestern frontier
which demands immediate action. In that re
mote region. where there are but few white i'll
habi'ants, large bands Of hostile and predato
ry Indians roam promiscuously over the Mexi-
can States Of chihuahua and Sonora, and ad-
joining territories. The local governments Of
these States are perfectly helpless, and are
kept in state OF constant alarm by the In
dians. They have not the power. if they pos
sessed the will. even to restrain lawlcss Mexi-
cans from passing the borders aud committing
depredatiOns on our remote settlers.
\ state Of anarchy and violence prevails through
out that distant frontier. The laws are a dead let
ter, and life aud property wholly insecure. For
this reason the settlement Of Arzunia is arrested,
whilst 1t Is Of great Importance that chain Of in
habitnuts should extend all along its southern bor-
der. sufficient for their protection and that of
the United States mail passing TO and from Cali
fornia. WeilrOuuded apprehensions now
teriained that the Indians and wandering Mexi-
cans equally lawless. may break up the important
stage and postal communication recently eStab-
Hshed between cur Atlantic and Pacific posses
siOns. This passes very near to the Mexican boun-
dairy, throughout the whole length of Arizonia.
viewed in friendly spirit by the governments
and people of Chihuahua and Sonora, as il will
prove equally ailcctual for the protection of
their citizens on that remote and lawcss from
tier. as for citizens Of the United States.
And. in this connection, permit me to recall
your attention to the condition OF Arizona. The
population of thar Territory, numbering, as is
alleged, more than ten thousand souls, are
practically without a government, without
IL 1.,.,
ofju>tcc. Murder and other crimes COM
mittcl with impGuity. This state of things
calls loudly for redress and therefore repeat
my recommendation for the establishment of a
territorial government over Arizona.
The political condition of the narrow 18TH
mus of Central America through which transit
routes pass, between she Atlantic and Pacific
oceans presents a subject of deep interest 10
all commercial nations. 1t is over these tran
sits that large proportion Of the trade and
travel between the European and Asiatic conti-
nentS, is destined TO pass. To the United States
these routes are OF incalculahle Importance,
means of communication between their At
lantic and Pacific possessions. The latter now
extended throughout seventeen degrees of lati-
tude on the Pacific coast, embracing the impor-
tant State of California and the lourishing
Territories of Oregon and Wa hington.
All commercial nations, therefore. have a
deep and direct interest. that these communi-
cations shall be rendered secure from Interrupt
tiOns.
If an Of the sea, connecting the two oceans
penetrated through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, il
could not be pretended that these States would
have the right TO arrest retarl its saton,
to the injury IF other nations. he transit by
land over this narrow i>thmus occupies nearly the
same position. II i a highway in which they
themselves have little interest when compared
with the interests Of the rest Of the world
Whilst their rights Of sOVcTeignts ought to be
pected, it Is the duty Of other nations to require,
that this important passage shall not lie interrupt
ted, hy the civil wars and revolutionary outbreaks
which have so frequently occurred in that region,
The stake is too important to be left at the
mercy Of rival companies. claiming 10 hold
condIciiuH contracts with Nicaragua. The
commerce vi other nations is not 10 stand still
and await ia. adjustment Of such petty con-
troycsrics. The government Of the United
States expect uo more than this. and they viii
not he satisfied with lcss.-They would not. If
they could derive 2iy4Ai rS ilt 1' Fsit Of he
world. Its neutrality and protection. for the
common use Of all nations, is their only sub
jcer.
They have 40 objection that Nicaragua shall
demand anil receive fair compensation, from
,he companies anil individuals who may ira
verse tie route: but they insist that it shall
never q .r,4i.cr le closed hy au arbitrary de-
cree oI that gov rum,m'. Ii disputes arise be-
tween IL 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 he closed pending the
controversy This j. our whole policy and ii
cannot fail TO hc .ccc cptahle to other nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided, if,
consistently with the good faith OF Nicaragua,
the use of this transit could be thrown open to
general competition: providing at the same
time for the payment Of a reasonable rate to
the Nicaraguau government, on passengers and
freight.
In August. Is52 the Accessory Transit company
male its first iuterDceanir trip over the Nicarau-
guam route. and continued in -ucscssiul operation,
with great advantage t. the PuhlIc, until the 18th
February, ! $50, when il closed, and the grant
to this company. well as its charter. were sum
marly aud arbitrarily revoked by the government
OF President Riyas. Previous to this date, how
ever, in 1874, serious disputes concerning the set
tlcmcut Of their accounts had arisen between the
company and the government threatening the in
terruption cf the u'c at any moment
These the United States in vain cndcavored
to compose. Il would be useless TO narrate
the various proceedings which took place be-
tween the parties. up 10 the time when the
warrant was discontinued Suffice it to say
,
closed. 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 consequence
thereof an unjust and unreasonable amount
has been cxactcd from our citizens for their
passage to and from California.
\ treaty was signed on the lGth day Of Nov.
1857, by the Secretary of State and Minister Of
Nicaragua under tho stipula;ionS of which the
use and the protection Of the transit route
would have been secured, not only to the L. ).
but equally to all other nations. How and on
what prctcxt this treaty has failed to receive
the ratification of the Nicaraguan government
will appear by the papers herewith communi-
Gated from the State Department. The prlnci-
pal objection seems 10 have been to the provi
sion authorizing the nitcd States TO employ
force to keep the route open, in case Nicaragua
should fail Ia perform her duty in this respect
From the feeLlcuess pi that republic its frequent
changes Of government, and its constant internal
dissensious, this had become most important
stipulation and one essentially necessary not only
for the security the route but the safety of Ameri
can citizens passing and repassing 10 and from our
Pacific possessions. Were such a stipulation en-
braccd IN 4 treaty between the United States and
Nicaragua the knowledge OF this fact would Of it
self m-st probably prevent hostile pIstes from