Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-10

ora and to establish military posts within the sameand
this earnestly recommend to Congress. This protection
estsblished in thes Capable Of performing
their United States restraining the awless and
preserving peace along the border.
do not doubt that this will be viewed friend
y spirit by the governments and people of Chihuahua and
of their citizens that remote and lawess frontier for
citizens of the United States.
And in this connection permit me to recall your attention
to the condition of Arizona The population of that Terri
tory numbering alleged than ten thousand souls
are practically without government, without laws, and
without any regular administration of justice Murder and
other crimes are committed with mpuny This state OF
things calls loudly for redress and therefore, repeat
recommendation for the establishment of territorial gov
eminent over Arizona.
America through which transit 1outes pass between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans presents subject of deep in
terest to all commercial nations these transis
that large proportion of the trade and travel be-
tween the European and Aatic continents destined to
pass. To the United States these routes Of ncacua
bic Importance, of communication between their
Atlantic and Pacific possessions The latter now extend
throughout seventeen degrees of latitude the Pacific
coast embracing the important State OF California and the
hourshing Territories of Oregon and Washington. All
commercial nations, therefore, have deep and direct in
rest that these communications shall be rendered
from interruption an arm of the sea, connecting the
could not be pretended that these States would have the
right arrest and reard its navigation to the injury of
other nations The transit by land this marrow 18TH
mus, occupies nearly the position 1t highway in
which they themselves have little interest when compared
with the vast interests of the rest Of the world While their
rights Of sovereignty ought to be respected it the duty
of other require that this important passage shall
breaks which have frequently occurred in that region
The stake important to be left at the mercy of rival
companies claiming to hold conflicting contracts with Mic
aragua The commerce OF other nations IS not to stand
still and await the adjustment of such petty controversies
The government of the United States expect no more than
this and they will not be satisfied with less.
They would not they could derive any advantage from
the Nicaragua transit not to the rest OF the world
Its neutrality and protection for the common use or all ma
TONS their only object They have objection that Nj
caragua shall demand and receive fair 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 government disputes arise be-
tween and those with whom they may have entered into
contracts these must be adjusted by fair tribunal
pending the controversy This is whole policy, and it
| cannot fail to be acceptable to other nations
the good of Nicaragua
thrown open al providing o at the
on s passengers SEM and freght
first trip over the route continued
in 1e with great % the public til
this well as its charter We're sqmmary and arb
this dat however in 1854 serious disputes concerning
emen of their ad arisen between the company and
moment Tfese the United States vain endsavoed
pose 1t would be useless the various proceedings
which took place between the parties up till the time when the
has remained Closed Treaty to the Of citizens
of the United States Since that time the competition has
thereof unjust and unreasonable amount
California
treaty signed the 10th day of November 1857,
by the Secretary of State and Minister of Nicaragua
the spuaOns of which the and protection of the
sit route would have been secured not only to the United
States but equally to all other nations How and what
peteXts this treaty has failed to receive the ratification
the Nicaraguan government will appear by the papers here
with communicated from the State Department. The prn
cpal objection to have been the provision author
zng the United States to employ force keep the route
open case Nicaragua should fail perform her duty in
this respect From the eebeness of that republic its fire.
quent changes of government and its constant internal dis
senslons this had become most important Spuaton and
essentially necessary not only for the security of the
but for the safety Of American citizens passing
repassng to and from our Pacific possessions Were such
stipulation embraced IN a treaty between the United
States and Nicaragua. the knowledge of this tact would
itself most probably prevent hostile parties from commit
ting aggresson the route and render actual inter
ference for its protection unnecessary.
The executive government of this country, its inter
course with foreign nations, is limited to the employment
diplomacy alone. When this fails proceed urth
err 1t cannot egtmately resort to force without the di
rect authority of Congress except in resisting and repee
hostile attacks. 1t would have authority enter the
territories of Nicaragua even to prevent the destruction
the transit and protect the lives and property of
citizens their passage. 1t is that sudden emer
gency Of this character the President would direct
med force in the vicinity to march their relief but do
ing this he would act upon his own responsibility.
Il Under these circumstances earnestly recommend tC
Congress the of act authorizing the President
such restrictions as they may deem proper employ
the land and naval forces of the United States in preventing
the transit from being INSTRUCTED closed by awess
ence and in Protecting the lives and property of American
citizens travelling thereupon, requiring at the time
that these forces shall be Withdrawn the the danger
shall have passed away. Without such provision our CT
tzens will be constantly exposed to interruption in he
progress, and to lawless violence.
similar necessity exists for the passage such an act
for the protection of the Panama and Tehuantepec
In reference to the Panama route the United States by
their existing treaty with New Grenada, expressly
tee the neutrality of the sthmus, " with the view
free transit from the to the other be
rupted embarrassed in any future time whilst this treaty
:, exists
In regard the Tehuantepec route which has been
Gently opened under the most favorable auspices treaty
with Mexico 3Oth Dec 1853 the citizens
the United States right OF transit for their persons
and merchandise, and stpuates that neither government
shall inernose anv obstacle thereto II also comedies
to the United States the fright transport the 18th
in closed bags the mails of the United States not in
tended for distribution along the line of the communication
Also the effects of the United States and its ci
which be intended for transit and not for dstr
button the thmus free of customhouse other char
ges of the Mexican government.
These treaty stpuations with New Grenada and Mexico
addition to the considerations applicable the Nicaragua
require legislation Tor the purpose of carry
T. ing them into effect
in Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, during the last two tire
years have received the prompt attention of this
ment Some of these injuries of the most aggra
character The transaction at Virgin Bay, in April 1856
+ when company of unarmed Americans, who in n
way connected with any begeren conduct party.
upon by the troops OF Costa Rca and numbers Of then
killed and wounded brought to the knowledge of Con
also presented to the government of Costa ca for that i'm
mediate investigation and redress which the nature of tn
case demanded A similar course pursued with refer
to other outrages these countries, of Whc
hardly less aggravated in their character than the
saction at Virgin Bay At the time however, when on
present minister to Nicaragua appointed in December
1851 redress had been obtained any these wrongs
reply had been received the demands whc
had been by this government upon that of Costa Rc
It more than year before Our minister instructed
therefore, to loose time expressing to those
= mens the deep regret with which the President had wnes
this nattenton to the just claims of the United States
and in demanding their prompt and satisfactory
Unless this demand shall be satisfactorily complied with
early day. it will only remain for this government to
dept such other be order OF
tain for itself that justice which has in vain attempted
N qua Costa Rca While shown and will continu
show the most sincere regard for the rights and honor
these republics it cannot permit this regard to be met
utter neglect their part of what due the
ment and citizens OF the United States.