Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-11

sistenty with the good faith of Nicaragua, IN
use of this trnnsit could be thrown open to genera
competition; providing at the same time for tn
payment of Il reasonable rate to the Nicaragual
government, on passengers and freight In Aug
ust, 1872, the Accessory transit company made ii
first iner-oceanic trip over the Nicaraguan route
and continued in successful operation, witt
great advantage to the public until the 18Th q
February, 1856 when it was closed, and the iran
10 this company, Tvs well as its chnrter were sum
mnrily and arbitrarily revoked by the governm IN
of President Rivas Previous to this date how
ever in 1884, serious disputes concerning the set
tlcment OF their accounts had arisen between tho
company and the government threatening the in
terrnpton of the route at any moment. These
the United States in vain cndeav red TO co,npose
IL would he useless TO narrac the various proceed
ings which took place between the parties up til
the time when the transit was discontinued. Suf
flee IL to say that, since February 1856, it has re-
manned closed, greatly TO the prejudice of citizens
Of the United States. Since that time the compe.
tition has ceased between the rival routes of Pan.
anna and Nicaragua, and. in consequence thereof
an unjust and unreasonable amount has been OK.
acted from our citizens for their passage TO and
from California
A treaty was signed on the 10th day of Novcrn-
bcr 1871, by the secretary of state and minister
of Nicaragua, under the stipulations of which the
use and protection OF the Transit route would
have been secured, not only TO the United States
but equally 10 all other nations. How and on
what prett this treaty has failed TO receive the
ol lIlc NlCNTununn government, Will
appear by the papers herewith communicated
from the state department The principal ohicc.
ton seems TO have been to the provision author
izng the United States 10 employ force to keep
the route open, in case Nicaragua should fail to
perform her duty in this respect From the feeble
ness of that republic, It's frequent changes of
government, and its constant internal dissensions
this had become most important stipuaton
and one essentially necessary not only for The Sc,
curity of the route, bur for the safety of Amcri-
N fsttf
our Pacific possessions Were such n stipulation
embraced in treaty between the United Stntes
and Nicaragua, the knowledge of this fact would
of itself most probably prevent hostile parties
from committing aggrcssions on the route, and
render our actual interference for its protection
necessary.
The executive government of this country. In
its intercourse with foreign nations, is limited TO
the employment of diplomacy alone When this
fails, IL can proceed no further It cannot icriti-
mately resort TO force without the direct uthority
OF Congress, except in resisting AMI renrling hos.
tile attacks. Ii would have no AUTHORITY 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 pnfSaue
IL is true that on sudden emergency OF this char
acter the president would direct any armed force
IN the vicinity to march 10 their relief but in do.
ing this he would act upon his own responsibility
Under these circumstances | earnestly recon-
mend 10 Congress the passage of an act author
izns the president under such restrictions ms they
may deem proper, to employ the land and naval
forces of the United States in preventing the tran
sit from being obstructed closed by lawleSs yio-
lcnce, and in protecting the lives and property of
American citizens travelling thereupon, recurring
at the same time that these forces shall be with,
drawn the mOment the danger shall have passed
away. WITHOUT such provision, our citizens will
DC constantly exposed TO interruption in their
progress, and 10 lawess violence.
similar necessity exists for the passage fsucb
an act, for the protection of the Panama and Tc-
huantepec routes. In reference to the Panama
route, the United States, by their existing trcaty
with New Granada, expressly guarantee the neu-
trality of the isthmus, with the view that the
free transit from the to the other sea NAV not
De interrupted or embarrassed in any future time
while the treaty exists"
In regard to the Tehuantepec route, which has
been recently opened under the most favorable
auspices, our treaty with Mexico of the 3Oth De.
cember 1885, secures to the citizens of the United
States right of transit over it for their persons
and merchandise, and stpulates that neither gov
eminent shall "intcrposc anv obstacle" thereto
II also comedies TO the United States the Fright to
transport across the i>thmus, in closed bags the
mails of the United States not intended for distri-
button along the line of the 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 govern
mrnt."
These treaty stipulations with New Granada and
hcNlCO, III huultlOn 10 the considerations upDlCl-
DIE TO the Nicaragua route, seem 10 require legs-
iaton for the purpose ofcarry Ing them INTO effect
The injuries which have been inflicted uDon our
citizens in Costa Rca and Nicaragua during the
last two or three years, have received the prompt
attention of this government. Some of these in
luries were of the most aggravated character.
The transaction al Virgin Bay in April, 1856.
when company Of unarmed Americans who
were in no way connected with any bclligerent
conduct or party, were fired upon by the troops of
4 an fftal1n .f, 1.
wounded, was brought TO the knowledge of Con
Sress 10y my predecessor soon after its occurrence
and was also presented 10 the government of Costa
klc0, for that immediate investigation and redress
which the nature of the case demanded A SINH
lar course was pursued with reference to other out
RACES in these countries some of which were hard
y less aggravated in their character than the trans.
action NJ Virgin Bay. At the time, however when
our present minister to Nicaragua was appointed,
in December, 1897, no redress had been obtaned
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 Costa Bica
more than year before. Our minister was in.
structed, therefore, TO lose no time in EXPRESSING
TO those governments the deep regret with which
fhe president had witnessed this nattention to the
just claims of the United States, and In demand.
ing their prompt and satisfactory adjustment
Unless this demand shall be complied with at an
early day, II will only reruain for this government
TO adopt such other measures as NAV he necessa-
ry, in order to obtain for itself that Justice which
it has in vain attempted to secure by peaceful
means, from the governments of Nicaragua and
Costa Rca. While it has shown, and will continue
10 show, the most sincere regard for the rights
AMI honor OF these republics 1t cannot permit this
regard to be met by utter eject, on their part
OF what is due 10 the government and citizens of
the United States.
Against New Granada We have long standing
causes of complaint, arising out of the unsatsfed
claims of our citizens upon that republic; and to
these nave hecn more recently added the outra.es
committed upon our citizens ut Panama In April
1876 Atfeaty for the adjustment of these Difficult.
ties, was concluded by the secretary of state and
the minister of New Granada, in September, 1857,
which contained just and acceptable provisions
for that purpose. This treaty was transmitted 10
Bogota, and was ratified by the government of
New Granada, hut with certain amendments Ii
was not, however returned to this city until after
the close of the last session of the Senate. Ii will
he immediately transmitted to thar body for their
advice and consent; and should this be obtained,
il viii remove all our existing causes of complaint
against New Granada on the subject of claims
Questions have arisen between the two govern
mcnts as to the right Of New Granada to levy a
tonnage duty upon the vessels of the United