Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-10


lhc government Of President Ri,as Previous 70 this
date however, In 1857 serious disputes concerning the
settlement Of their accounts had arisen between the
company and the government threatening the inicup,
ton OF the route At any moment. These the United
states IN vain cudcavorcd 60 compose. twoud be use
less To narac the various proceedings which took place
between the parties up till the time when the transit
discontinued Suffice tito say that since February, 1856
10 has remained closed greatly 20 the prejudice u citizens
Of the United States Since that time the competition
has ceased bet the rival routes Of Panama and Nj
caragua and in consequence thereof an unjust aud nm
reasonable amount has been cNaccd from citizens for
their passage TO and lfom California.
a treaty was signed nn hc lhih day OF November
1871 Ivy The Sccfrv n state and Minister of Nicara-
qua, under the siugtnns Of which, the and procc-
ton Of tho inu route would have been secured, not
only to hc United States, but equally to all other
lions How aud on what prctcNt this treaty has failed
10 receive the ratification Of thc Ncaraguan government
WIN appear by the papers herewith communicated nom
the state Department The principal objection seems to
have been 20 the provision authorizing the United states
20 employ force 20 keep the route OPEN in case Ncara
qua should fail perform her duty IN this respect From
the fecbencss Of that republic its frequent changes Of
government and IFS constant internal disscnsions this
had become q most important stipulation and one essen
TALLY necessary not only for the security OF the route
but for the safety Of American citizens passing and re-
passing 70 and from our Pacific possesSons. Were such
states and Nicaragua, the knowledge of this fact would
OF itself most probably prevent hostile parties from con-
hitting aggrcss0ns the route, aud render actual
Interference Tor It's protection unnecessary
Inc executive government n this county, In is inter
course with foreign nations, is limited u the employment
OF diplomacy alone. When this fails II proceed no
further 1t cannot lcgiumatcly force without
,nu meet "u,no( Of congress- except M resisting ana
nv, ~ ,! qua, !. Nou" haNc no au'nul,'l w
destruction of the transit and protect the lives and prop
riy OF our own citizens ON thcirpassagc l true that
ON sudden emergency of this character the President
would direct any armed force in She vicinity march TO
thcr relief but ia doing this he would act upon his own
responsibility.
Under those circumstances / earnestly recommend to
congress the passage OF actauthorizug the President
"'tl 'ue ic'uciions as ihey may deem proper, 20 e
poy me land and naval forces OF the Jntci states in
preventing the transit from being INSTRUCTED closed by
violence, amt in protecting The lives ana property
OF American ciiizcus travelling hrrcupou, requiring at
Tine same time that these forces shall be withdrawn uc
moment the danger shall have passed away. without
suh provision, our citizens will Doe constantly exposed
' hrfWion n their progress, and 20 lawless violence
similar necessity exists for the passage of such an
1' ''r tNc protection OF the Panama and lehuahepec
routes.
In reference TO- the Panama route the United states
hy their existing treaty with New Grenada, expressly
guarantee the neutrality Of the lsthmus, with the view
may ihc Tree transit from one Co the other sea may not
be interrupted or embarrassed in amy future time while
me treaty exists.
in regard 90 the rchuantcpcc route. which has been
recently opened under thc most favorable auspices, our
treaty with Mexico Of the 3lh December, 1888, secures
90 lc citizens NJ the United States right OF transit
over or their persons and merchandise, and supuatcs
th'i nciher government shall 'nterposc any obstacle
thereto IL also comedies to the United States the fright
TO- transport across Che sthmus in closed bags, the mails
of the United States not intended for distribution along
me hhe of the communication; also tho effects OF the
United States Government and its citizens which may be
intended for transit and not for distribution on the sth-
mus free Of Custom House other charges by the Mex
lean Government"
lNc.c treaty surul1turs with New Grenada and Mex
ll, 900 addition i1 tlr rnus'Icrit 1us applicable Co The
Nicaragua route, seem require legislation for the pur-
pos. of carrying Them into cHcrt
ll' wiuir. which hI,. hc,u Indicted ur1n our cite
1u, io Costa ura AND Nicaragua during he last two or
hrec years. have received Else prompt attention of Chs
government Some OF ihc.r iuiur.cs VI the most
aggravated character. THE transaction az VIRGIN Bay iu
April 1876 when company of uuarmod Americans
VINO we're DO no way connected With any hclig con-
duct or parity were hscd upon by Che troops of Costa Ri
e' emu mum o ilem klcd end Wounded was brought