Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Concluded from last ,oeek.) J

lno executive gOYefnment OF tins cOutl-
try, in its intercourse with foreign notions,
is limited to the employment of diplomacy
alone, When this fails, it can proceed
no further 1t cannot legitimately resort
to force, without the direct authority of
Congress- except in resisting and repelling
hostile attacks. 1t would have no au.
thority to enter the territories of of Nicar.
aqua, even to prevent the destruction of
the transit, and protect the lives and
property of our own citizens on their pas
sage. 1t is true, that on a sudden emer-
gency of this character, the President
would dire ct any armed force in the yicin-
to march to their relief; but in doing this
he would act upon his own responsibili>
~.
Under these circumstances | earnestly
recommend to Congress the passage ofan
act authorizing the President under such
restrictions as they may deem proper, to
employ the land and naval forces of the
United States in preventing the transit
from being obstructed or closed by lawless
violence, and in protecting the lives and
property of American citizens thereupon,
requiring at the same time that these for
ces shall be withdrawn the moment the
danger shall have passed away. Without
such provision our citizens will be con-
stantly exposed TO interruption in their
progress, and to lawless violence.
A similar necessity exists for the bas-
sage of such an act, for the protection
Of the Panama and Tehuantepec route.
In reference to the Panama route the
United States, by their existing treaty
with New Granada, expressly guarantee
the neutrality of the lsthmus, with the
view that the free transit from the one to
the other sea may not be interrupted or
embarrassed in any future time while this
treaty exists.
In regard TO the Tehuantepec route
which has been recently opened under the
most favorable auspices, our treaty with
Mexico of tie Goth December, 1853, Sc
cures the Ulited States a rght'of transit O.
yer for their persons and merchandise, and
stipulates that neither government shall
"interpcse any obstacle" thereto. 1t also
comedies to the United States the fright
to transport across the Isthmus, in closed
bags the mails of the, United States not
intended for distribution along the line of
thc communication also, the effects of the
United States government and its citizens
which may be Intended for transit and
not for distribution on the Isthmus, free
of custom house or other charges by the
Mexican government.
These treaty stipulations with New Gram
ada and Meqico, in addition to the consid.
oratians applicable to the Nicaragua route,
seem to require leg station for the purpose
of carrying them into effect
The injuries which have been inflicted
upon our citizens in COSTA Rca and Near
aqua, during the last two or three years,
have received prompt attention of this
government. Some of these injuries were
> OF the most aggravated Character. The
transaction of Virgin Bay in April, 1856,
when company Of unarmed Americans,
who were in no way connected with any
btlligcrent conduct or party, were fired
upon by the troops of Costa Rica, and
numbers of them killed and wounded,
was brought to the knowledge of Con-
gress by my predecessor soon after its oc-
currence, and was also presented to the
government of Costa Rica, for that immc-
date investigation and redress which the
nature of the case demanded. A similar
course was pursued with reference to 9TH
: er outrages in these countries, some Of
which we're hardly less aggravated in their
character than the transaction at Nigiu
/, Bay. At the time, however, when our
present minister to Nicaragua was appoint
ed, in December, 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 the Costa Rica,
more than year before. Our minister
was instructed, therefore, to lose no time
J in expressing to those governments the
deep regret with which the President had
witnessed this inattentiol to the just
Iclaims of the United States, and in de.
manding their prompt and satisfactory
adjustment. Unless this demand shall be
! complied with at an early day, it will only
remain for this government to adopt such
other measures as may be necessary, in or
! der to obtain for itself that justice Which
it had in vain attempted to secure 10y
peaceful means, from the governments OF
b Nicaragua and Costa Rica. While it has
shown, and will continue to show, the
most sincere regard for the rights and hon
or of these republics, it cannot permit
this regard to be met by an utter neglect,
on their part, of what is due to the gov3
crnment and citizens OF the United States.
Against New Granada VIC have long
: standing cause of complaint, arising out
of the unsatisfed claims of our citizens
, upod that republic, and to these have been
more recently added the outrages COM
mttted upon eur citizens at Panama in A.
pril 1856. A treaty Tor the adjustment OF
these difficulties was concluded the Secre-
ta-y of State and the minister of New Ora.
nadia, in September, 1857, which contain
E ed lust an acceptable provision for that
4 purpose ...., Al.
This trety was transmitted to Bogota
and was ratified by the govern nent OF New
Granada, but with certain amendments.
II was not, however, returned to this city
until aftet the close of the last session OF
the Senate. 1t will be Immediately trans.
mitted tc that body for their advice and
consent, and should this be obtained, it
will remove all our existing causes ofcom'
plant against New Granada on the subject