Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-16

teu Dtates 10 employ force to Keep the route
open. in case Nicaragua should fail to perform
her duty in this respect. From the feebleness
OF that republic its frequent changes of govern
meni, and its constant Internal discussions, this
had become most important stipulation, and
one essentially necessary not only for the sscu
rty of the route, but for the safety OF Amcri-
can cltizens passing and replssing to and from
onr Pacific POSSESSIONS Were sdch stipula-
ton embraced in IL treaty between the United
States and Nicaragua, the knowledge Of this
fact would of itself most probably prevent hos
tile parties from committing aggressons on the
route, and render our actual interference for its
protection unnecessary.
The executive government of this country, in
its intercourse with foreign nations, is limited to
the employment of diplomacy alone. When
this fails, it can proceed no further. 1t cannot
legtlmatcly 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 Nicaragua,
even to prevent the destruction Of the transit,
and protect the lives and property Of our own
citlz'ns on their passage. 1t is true that on a
sudden emergency of this character the Presi-
dent would direct any armed force in the vicni-
ty to march to their relief, but in doing this he
would act upon his own responsibility.
Under these circumstances | earnestly rec
ommend to Congress the passage of an act au-
thOrlzlng the President. under such restrictions
rs they may deem proper to employ the Land and
naval forces of the United States in preventing
the transit from being DISTRACTED or clos d by
lawltss violence, and in protecting the lives
and property of American citizens travelling
thereupJn, requiring at the same time that these
forces shall be withdrawn the moment the dam
gr shah have pissed away, Without such II
provision, our citizens will bc constantly exposed
10 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 Fehuantepcc routes.
In reference to the Panama route the United
States by their existing treaty with New Grcna-
da, expressly guarantee to the neutrality of thu
lshmus, " with the view that free transit from
one to the other sea may not be 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 favor
able auspices, our treaty with Mexico of tn,
Both Of d. cmbr, 1858, secures to the citizen,
Of the United States IL right of transit over il
for their persons and merchandise, and stipu
lates that neither government shall /" ntcrposj
amy ohstacls" thereto. 1t also comedies to tn,
United States the fright of transport acr,s
the Isthmus, in cl ,scd bags, the mails OF thu
United States not intended for distribution alon;
the line of the communication also the effect
Of the United States Government and its citi
zens which may be intended for transit, and no
~.
House OF other charges by the Mexican Govern
mcnt."
Ines, treaty stipulations with New Granada
and NJ xcJ, in Edition t. the cDnsidrAt,n'
applicable to the Nicaragua route, seem to re
quire legislation for the purpose of carryin;
them into effect.
The in uries which have been inflicted upDl
onr citizens in Costa Rica and Nicaragua durin
the last two or three years, have received tn
prompt attention of this Government. Some O
5 these injuries were of the most aggravatc
character. The transaction at Virgin Bay il
April, 1856, when u company of unarme
f Americans, who were in no way connected wit
> any bclligerant conduct or party, were fired up
ON by the troops Of Costa liica and Numbers .
t them We're killed and wounded, was brought t
r the knowledge of Congress by my prodecesso
soon after its occurrence and waa alsj pr1sente
t. the government Of Costa Rica, Tor he immc
dilto investigation and redress which the II .tur
t of the case demanded similar course wa
pursued in regard to other 0utrages IN thes
$ countries, some of which were hardly less az
t gravatcd in their character than the trtnsactio
C ut Virgin Bay.
| At the tim, however, when our present Min
$ lister to Nicaragua was appointed, in December
! 1857, no redress had been obtained Iar any {
s those wrongs, and no reply even had been +,
Q ccived to the demands which had been made b
a this government upon that of Costa Ricl, NOR
than year before. Our Minister was instruct
: ed, therefore. to lose no time in expressing t
Q those governments the deep regret will, whic
t the President had witnessed this inattention
= the lust claims of the Unit d States, and in d
; nanding their prompt and satisfactory adjus
It inert. Unless this demand shall b, compile
= with at an early day it will only remain fl
II this government to adopt such other measure
d lis may be necessary, IN order to obtain for i
It self that justice which it has in vain att ,mpt,
{ tn secure by peaceful means, from the govern
e mlnts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. While
Il has shown, and will continue to snow. the m,
e sincere regard for the rights and honor of lha
y republics, it cannot permit disregard to he III
d by an utter neglect, ON their part, of what
|. due TO the government and citizens Of the Tn
% ted States.
% Against New Granada we have long sttndn
We ciass of complaint, arising out of the unsat
y fed claims of our citizens upon that repdblit
~ and to these have ben more recently added t
y oAtrAses committed upon our cltz.ns at Pan
9 ma in April 1856 a treaty for the adjus
l. m mt Of thesa difficulties, WIS concluded by Il
t. 5 cr4tary of State and the Minister of n
ID Granada, in Sptemhcr, 1857, which contain
'9 Just and acceptable provis ms for that parp's
~ This treaty WIS Transmitted t. Be5It,. and W
III ratified by the gov rnment Of New GrAnld
IN bat with certain amendments. 1t WIS n,
st however, returned to this city until alt r t
n. CHS, of the last $ ssi,n Of the S,nat' Ii W
~ b, INN hiit 'ly transmitted t, that bmy f,r Il
Id vice and consent; and should tins b, OBTAIN
IN it will rem w all our existing cluses Of CO;
~ paint arlinst N,w Ora ada Oil taa subj
Ill claims.
% Ql9sti ,ns have arisen between the two q
IN ernm nts Us t. the rgitof NV Granada t. /,
"a II tonnage duty upan the 81 is Of the Unit
n States in its ports of the lstnmus, and to h
ne IL passenger tax upon orr citizens arriving
D. that country, whether with desigr t, rom,
at there or piss from DC nm to ocean by tic tran
route, and also II tax upon the mails of
n United States transported over th3 Ptnl
he Railroad. The government Of N,w GranI
N. has been inform, I'd that the United States WI
ne consider the collection of either of thrs3 tax Is
ii an act of violation OF the treaty b,tw zen
IT, two countries, ami us sach would b., resisted
M the United Stats. At the slina time we
he prepared to discuss these questions in spirit
ul nmity and justice, and with u sine re DIES
ic, to adjust them IN II satisfactory manner
az A negotiation for that parp's3 has already b,
III c)mmonced. No eft ,rt has recently been Eta
lily to collect these taxes, npr is any anticipl
rs. under present circumstances.
'us With the empire of Brazil our present r,
.c- tions are of the most friendly character.
nc products of the two countries, and espacia
ne those of an agricultural nature, are such as
ties invite extensive mutual exchange. \ l.,
4 \ n