Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-22

And Tn this connection, permit me to recall our attention to the condition of Arzona.- The population of that territory, numbering as alleged, more than ten thousand souls are practically without government without laws, nd without any regular administration of jus ice. Murder and other crimes committed with impunity. This state of things call loudly for redress; and therefore, repeat my recom- mendation for the establishment of territorial government over Arzonia.
 The political condition of the narrow 18th. mus of Central America through which transit routes pass, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans presents subject of deep interest to all commercial nations. It is over these tran sits, that a large proportion of the trade and travel between the European and Asiatic couti- nents, is destined to pass. Tothe United States these routes are of incalculabe importance, as means of communication between their At lantic and Pacific possessions. The latter now exteud throughout seventeen degrees of the latitude on the Pacific coast, embracing the inn portant State Of California and the hourishing territories of Oregon and Washington. All commercial nations, therefore, have a deep and direct interest, that these communications shall be rendered secure from Interruption If an arm of the sea, connecting the two oceans pe- netratec! through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, it could not be pretended that these States would have the right to arrest or retard its navigation, to the injury of other nations.
 The transit by land over this narrow Isthmus, occupies nearly the same position. It is high way in which they themselves have little in- terest. when compared with the vast interests of the rest of the world. Whilst their rights of sovereignty ought to be respected, it is the duty of the other nations to require, that this important passage shall not be interrupted, by the civil wars and revolutionary outbreaks which have so frequently occurred in that re- zion. The stake IS too important to be left at the mercy of rival companies, claiming to hold conflicting contracts with Nicaragua The com merce of other nations Is not to stand still and await the ad ustment of such controv ersles- The government of the United States expect no more than this, and they will not be satisfied with less. They would not, if they coud de- rive any advantage from the Nicaragua transit not common to the rest of the world. Its neu- traity and protection, for the common use of ali nations, Is the only object. They have no objection that Nicaragua shall demand and re- ceve lalr compensation from the companies and individuals who may traverse the route; but they insist that it shall never hereafter be closed by an arbitrary decree of that govern ment. If disputes arise between it and those with whom they may have entered into con- tracts, they must be adjusted by some fair tri- bunal provided for the purpose, and the route must not be closed pending the controvarsv-- This Is our whole policy, and 1t cannot fail to be acceptable 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 competitions; providing at the same time for the payment of reasonable rate to the Nlcaraguan government, on passengers and freight.
 In August. 1852 the Accessory Transit Con- pany made It's first interoceanic trip the Nlcaraguan route and continued with success tul operation, with great advantage to the pub lie, until the 19th February, 1856 when it was closed. and the grant to this company, as we'll as its charter, were summarlly and arbitrarily revoked by the government ot President Rvas. Previous to this date, however, ill 1854, serious disputes concerning the settlement of their ac- counts had arisen between the company and the government, threatening the interruption ot the route at any moment. These the United States III vaip endeavured to compromise. It would be usele>s to narrate the various proceed lilS.o WHICH lDOh IidCc UctWecU the DdfJleS, up to the time when the transit was discontinued Suffice it to say that, since February, 1858, it has remained closed, greatly to the prejudice of citizens of the UniIel States. Since that time the competition has ceased between the rival routes of Panama and Nicaragua, and in con sequence thereof an unjust ard unreasonable amount has been exacted from our citizens for their passage to and from California
 4 fro ,fN Der, 1857, by the secretary of state and minis ter of Nicaragua, under the stipulatons of which the use and protection of the transit route would have been secured, not only to the United States, but equally to all nations. How and on what pretexts this treaty has failed to receive the ratification of the Nicaraguan government. will appear by the papers herewith communi- cated from the State department. The prin- ciple objection seems to have been to the pro- vision authorizing the United States to employ force to keep the route open, in case Nicaragua should fail to perform her duty in this respect From the eebleness of that republic, its fre- quent changes of government, and its constant internal disse>sons, this had become most im- portant stipulaton, and one essentially neces sary not only for the security of the route, but for the safety ol American citizens Tassn. and repasslng to and from cur Pacitic possessions- Were such a stipulation embraced in a treaty between the Cntcd States and Nicaragua, the knowledge of lhis fact would of itself most probably prevent hostile parties from commit ting aggresslons on the route and render our actual interference for its protection unneces- sarv.
 The executive government of this country, in its intercourse with foreign nations, is limited to the employment of diplomacy alone When this fails 1t can proceed no further It cannot legtimately resort to force, without the direct authority of Congress, except in resisting and repelliug hostile attacks. II would have no au- thority to enter the territories of Nicaragua even to prevent the destruction of the transit. and protect the lives and property of our own citizens on their passage. It Is true, that on sudden emergency of this character, the Presi- dent would direct any armed force Tn the vci- nity to march to their relief; but in doing this he would act upon his own responsibility
 Uuder these circumstances 1 earnestly re- commend to Congress- the passage of an act au- thorzng the President under such restrictions as they may deem proper, to employ the land and naval forces of the United States in pre- venting the transit from being obstructed or closed by lawless violence, and in protecting the lives and property of American citizens travelling thereupon, requiring at the same time that these forces shall be withdrawn the mo- ment the danger shall have passed away. With out such a provision, our citizens will be con- stanty exposed to interruption in their progress, and to lawless violence.
 A similar necessity exists for the passage of such an act, for the protection of the Panama and Tehaunlepec routes.
 In reference to the Panama route, the United States, by their existing treaty with New Gra- nada, expressly guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus, "wth the view that the free transit from the to he other sea may not be inter rupted or embarrassed in any future time while this treaty exists"
 In regard to the Tehauntepec route, which has been recently opened under the most ia Voraole auspices, our treaty with Mexico of December, 1853. secures to the citizens of the United States right of transit over it for their persons and merchandise. and stipulates that neither government shall " int, rposc any otsta- cle" thereto. It also comedies to the United States the " transport across the Ishmtls, in closed bags the mails of the United States not intended for distribution along the line of the communicatou also the effects of the United States government and its citizens which may be intended for transit, and rot for distribution on the Isthmus free of custom house or other charges by the Mexican government"