Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-06

Goute any moment These the United States in vain
endeavolcd to compose. II would be useloss nlrate
the various proceedings which took place between the
PARTIES, up i'll the time when The transit dscontin-
ued Suffice it to thai since February 1856 ii has
renamed closed, greatly to the prejudice Of citizens OF the
United states. Sincs that time the competition has
ceased between the rival OF Panama and Nicaragua
ana" III Consequences thereof unjust and unreasonable
amount las been exaco from our citizens for their pas
sage 20 and from California
treaty was signed on the 10th day Of November
1851 by the Secretary OF State and minister Of Nicaragua
under the stpuations of which the use and protection
OF the transit route would have been secured only
the United States but equally to oil other nations How
and what petexts this treaty has failed to receive the
ratification OF the Neaiaguan government will appear by
The papers herewith communicated from the State De-
partincnt. The principal objection seems to have been
10 the provision authorizing the United States TO epo
force to keep the route open, in Nicaragua should
fail TO perform her duty in this respect From the fee
Ncness Of that republic its frequent changes of govern
nent and its constant internal dsscnsics this had be-
come most important stipulation and one essentially
necessary not oay for the security o. The route but or
the safety Of American citizens passing and epasSing to
aud from our Pacific possessions Were such supua-
ton embraced in treaty between the United States and
Nicaragua The knowledge OF this fact would OF itself most
probably prevent hostile parties from committing az
Sresiens the route and render actual interference
for tts protection unnecessary.
The executive government Of this country IN Its inter
course with foreign uaons limited to the employment
OF diplomacy alone When this fds it can proceed no
further II cannot legtnatey resort 10 force without
the direct authority of Congress- except in resisting and
repellins hostile attacks 1t would have authority to
enter the territories of Ncare a to prevent the
destruction of the transit and protect the lives and prop
crty Of our citizens their passage 1t is true, that
sudden emergency OF this character e President
would direct armed force in the vicinity to march to
thcir relief but il doing this ~ would act upon his own
responsibility.
Under these circurast stances earnestly recommend to
Congress- the passage OF an act authorizing the PRESIDENT
under such restrictions they may deem proper to
ploy the lard and naval forces OF the United States il
preventing the transit from being INSTRUCTED closed
bv awlcs violence and in protecting the lives and prop
erty American citizens travelling thereupon requiring
at the time that these forces shall be withdrawn
the moment the danger shall have passed away. With
out fucl a provision citizens will be constantly eX
posed to interruption in their progress and to awIcSS
violence.
similar necessity exists for the passage of such NJ
act for the protection of the Panama and Tehuanepec
routes.
IN reference to the Panama route, the United States.
by their existing treaty with New Granada, eXpreSS!
guarantee the neutrality OF the Isthmus with the View
that tho free transit from the TO the other may
be interrupted embarrassed IN any future time
whpc this treaty exists.
In regard to the Tehn;crec route which has been
Gently opened under the most favorable auspices, ouI
treaty with Mexico Of the Seth December 1879.
the citizens Of the United States right i transit
for their persons and merchandise, aud tpulacs thai
neither government shall nterl"se any obstacle therc
to- IT also comedies TO the United States The right to
transport the IShma in closed bags the mails Of
the United States not intended for distribution along the
line Of the uDicaon also. the objects OF the NJ
Ted States government aud its citizens which may he in
tended fox transit and not for distribution on the 18th
anus, es of house other charges Nv the Noyl
government.
These treaty spulations with New Granada and Next
CO. in addition 10 the considerations applicable to the
Nicaragua route. require legislation or the pnr
pose OF carrying them into eject
la., ipnr ,rrii
zens in Costa RIGA and Nicaragua during the last
three years have received the prompt attention OF thu
government Some OF these injuries were o the most
aggravated character The transaction at Virgin by in
April 1856, when company OF ularmcd Americans,
who were in no wav connected with bclligerct
due, party, fired upon by the troops OF Costa
Rica and numbers of them killed all wounded, WAS
brought the knowledge of Congress by predecessor
soon after its occurrence and also presented 10 tbs
government OF Costa Rca, for that immediate lnvcstiga
ton and redress which the nature OF the demanded
similar pursued with reference to other out
RACES 10 these countries Of which were hardly less
aggravated Ia their character than the trans ICton At
Virgin B.y At the time, however. when our present
minister To Nicaragua appointed. in December 1871.
redress had 6een obtained for any Of these wrongs.
and no rcylv had been received 10 the demands
which had been made h. this government upon that
Costa Rc,, more than year before Our minister
instructed therefore, To lose time i'll expressing to
thoss governments the deep regret with which the lcsi-
dent had witnessed this uattcnlion u tue inst claims 81
the United States, anu Ill CelnilrAhS anu
satisfactory adjustment. Unless this demand shall be
complied with early day. it will only emtn for
this government t. adopt such other measures rs may oe
nry order to OBTAIN Tor Itself that n>u;e WHICH!
has in vain attempted TO secure by peaceful means,
from the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rca
While it has shown and will continue To show ;tc mot
sincere regard for the rights and honor o. "se republics
it cannot permit this regard to he met by IN utter neg
Iec on their part OF what is due 10 the government ana
clt!zeuS OF the United states.
Against New Granada we have longstandng causes @!
complaint arising out OF the unsatSed claims q our CIT
liens upon that republic and 10 these have been more
recently added the outr2eS committed upon our CT zvH
at Panama in April 1856. A treaty for the adjustment
oil these difficulties concluded by the Secretary OF
State and the minister Of New Granada, III September
1857 which contained just and acceptable provisions Il:
that purpose This treaty transmitted to BoSota
and WIS ratified by the government OF New Granada, Ou
with certain amendments. 1t not however. re-
turned to this city n after the close OF tue last SESSION
of the Senate 1t will bc Immediately transmitted to
that body for their advice and consent and should this
be obtained it will al existing CAUSES OF com
paint against New Granada the subject OF CLAIMS
Questions have arisen between the two governments, rs
TO the right OF New Granada to levy tonnage duty upon
the vessels of the United States in its ports of the 18th
mus and to levy passenger tax upon our citizens ar
irving in that county, whether with design to remain
Their. or to pIss from to 0cem by the transit
route an also upon the mail of the United states
TRANSPORTED over the Panama railroad Inc government
OF New Granada has been informed. that the United
States would consider the collection OF either OF lhese
taxes as in violation of the treaty between inc tW
countries and ms such would he resisted by the tnlte'
States. At the time, we are prepared To dSCus'
these questions in spirit of amy and justice and with