The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-03-02
Message Of the President In regard to
the Protection of the Transit Route to
California

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1s-The President to-day trans
mifted a message 70 Cpngrc~S- as follows:
T. me S.I.1fs aai H0llss II RfPr,ssgtIt5rls
The brief period which remains IF your present
session, and the great urgency and importance 81 e-
-Ia-.e action before its termination for the pru-e.
ton % American eitik.uS ana then properly whist
r tra-, across the Isthmu- routes between our A.
lautlc and Pacific possessions, render it my duty
again Co recall tIl- subject % yuug notice.
have heretofore presented DC my annual mes
-4ge- both Of December. ls57 and 1855, which /
bog leave o. refer. In the latter state that the EX-
cartve Government Of this country, it, intercourse
with foreign nations Is limited o. the employment of
Diplomacy alone. Where tins tul- BE- can proceed no
further r. cannot euum5teiy resort 20 force HIth-
ont direct authority Of Congress except u resisting
and rope iuZ hostile attacks. II would have no au-
thsuy To- enter 90" Territory Of Nicaragua even 70
prevent The destruction OF the transit and protect
tae lives and property VI our own citizens IN their
nj true that on o sudden emergency Of this char
sHtgr the President would direct amy armed force 20
the vicinity Go march % their relief but u doing tins
boz would aet upon his own responsibility. Under
these circumstance. earnestly recommend TO Con
EreS- the passage OIL ai ,' ,'ulhnIl~h llle ff-1'nl'
under such restrictions they may deem proper. tp
employ the band and naval forces OF tho uIt'a states
200 preventing the transit nom being oh~frHgted "r
closed hy lsulv~- violence, and protecting the lives
srF property Of American citizens travelling there
uulD. recurring, at the same time, thar these forces
-EaU b. Withdrawn the moment the danger shall
blya passed away. without such provision UUr
ci-zeus will De- constantly exposed to Interference IN
their progress and 90 iJRle~s violence.
similar necessity exists for the pass1g" % such
art FOR the protection % the Panama and IyhUute-
Another -Ili' I.l'sll ffil-
handed the attention "i iIn senate Il llr lt~' St--l"
1 af Congress. The Republics south of the United
states this continent have unfortunately been ire
auaurv IN q state Of revolution ami civil war ever
SINCE they achieved their independence. 4, one or
to- other party has prevailed and obtained posses
-5ep III de ports open 20 foreign commerce. they
have seized and cand-csted American vessels and
their ca-E1y- IN arbitrary and lawlsss manner,
and sX4ctei money from American citizens 10y forced
loans and other violent proceedings. 3" enable them
to carry their hoSulltes. tn" executive govern
mont Of Great Britain. France aud other countries.
possess ug the warm3hIu- power. can promptly en-
poy the necessary means To- eutnrc" immediate re-
dress for similar ou'ragg- upon their SUBJECTS Not
| ID the .ugve government Of the United states
| Tffhs President orders q vessel 81 war Go any %
these ports go demand prompt redress for the out
RACES committed Tire Ole uiIn- parties are Wen .FtT,
ma rn case ct refusal the commander could DIP no
lrf The question must then " referred 60 d.Ii1-
macy and in many cases adequate redress can never
r-. Obtained Thus American e,!fens srg T. PlIEgi Of
the same protection under iHf meg OF N'.I country
which tug subjects &C other nations enjoy The rem
siy for tins state ui things can only he supplied hy
congress since the Constitution has cuuided % that
| bs.ly alone the power 90 make war;
| Without the authority of Congress the eX'euuy"
cannot lawfully direct any force. however near o. may
| iii Mexico Nicaragua or New Granada for the pur-
pose Of defending the r.r-ou- and property Of Amer
'tp IONS. even though they may d. violently a.
.4iIal while passing peaceful transit over the To-
| br41.,r.s. Nicaragua ar Panama routes.
NJ cannot without trtu-ccudu hI- cHn-titut. oual
power. direct gun O. p" fired DO port OF land q
su4n arrngrue protect 'hc lives 81 our country
uan an shore % obtain redress FOR recent out
~, ~, tt.4.- property.
'' nv, bsai,it winch ini.-t Commissioning Republic
of Mexico always claiming 20 belong o. one on the
| oI6ar hostile p3rtlH- might make sudden 3r.rnni
| an Nera cruz ou the rehGant"pcn route. and De
s if che vicinity for IyIrryl.i either 90 prevent
tha plumber q our iu r.ilnt- or The destruction OF
] fH. transit IN reference o. the countries where TIE
] I..f 4Itbarita- are strong enough 90 enforce the
/ 49, fa difficulties here Indicated cam seldom hap
| ~, I1f vhsre this NOT On" case. and the local al.
I II a.. mai I|IN-....l
| fb, r-F-s tho vii, to protect our citizens within
| their limits, recent eyp"ufnce has shown thai me
/ American eNe'uHlr >h'uIa Use" roe "A..''t'A'" I"
''' rlpt Of authority. thus limited in It's extent
| r,riJ r no sense De regarded transfer Of the
/ war making power % the executive, but only am a-
| rr5.rr.5ta exercise " that power.
| Tb r,t I'd Panama Boa l>56. IN which great mum.
/ IrI rtr citizens lost their lives. furnishes pointed
| II,riou Of the necessity which may arise for the
| sxarcr-s of this power.
/ l'' ~. responsibility 'Nrlu-Iyey rests, pass
| - g. f,-s thefr adjournment, conierrlng on the
TrIanf the power 70 protect the lives and property
| - ,srl.an citizens 90 the eases which have ind-
| ,,f'J Iuier such restrictions and conditions a. they
| r,,, Jssrn advisable The knowledge that such a
| is,,.+ would Of itself 90 far % prevent the out
nc. which % 10 Intended e. redress and render the
| -. .,,.nt 81 force unnecessary. Without this the
| 49,, M II the United States may De- placed In q
,i,fil position before the meeting II the next Con
EIs ~, present disturbed condition Of Mexico. and
| ~ ,,.rc Of the other Republics south # uz. nc
person can tores'e W." f l'i' may ''he ',.'
before that period. In case 81 emergency our clu
| -. ...i,,r' that they DO not enjoy the same Vr0tcc
| -, ,rtb he subjects Of European governments, vii
| have lust cause 70 complain. on the other hand
.b5 tho Executive interfere. and especially should
| H. 1lt pruye disastrous. and valuable lives hc lost
| E:..Lt subject himself 10 severe censurc for hav
~, mined i. power not cuutiied % him by the
A ..,Itl,n Iii, 10 guard against this contingcncy
| ~, T MN, appeal 60 Congress. Having thus recon
| mo,Jed 10 Congress measure which deem neces
| ,, a az Incident for the interests and honor of the
| g,!s'r,, leave the whole subject to their wisdom
| III s''ssgretion JAMES BUIHANAN.
| Wellington Feb. Is. 1859.