Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-02-25
Later from, Hayti.


the people of heand. Ithad repealed the export duty
coffee but, considering the dsordered condition
of the finances it was Immediately restored, and the old
law would continue until fayora ole opportunity
for its abrogation.
The most enthusiastic demonstrations in favor of the
republic continued, and the people everywhere were
shouting Vive la President Geffard."
Message of the President Regard the Protec-
lion Transit Route to California.
WASHINGTON, Feb 18.-The President to-day trans
mtted message to Congress, as follows:
To the Senate and House of Rep, esentatiUes:
The brief period which remains of your present ses
son and the great urgency and Importance of legisla
tive action heore its termination for the protection OF
American citizens and their property, while in transit
the isthmus routes between Atlantic and Pa
cfc possessions, render it my duty again to recall this
subject to your notice.
have heretofore presented it in my annual messages,
both of December 1857 and 1858, to which beg leave
to rerfer In the latter state that the executive gov
ment of this country its intercourse with foreign
lions, is limited to the employment of diplomacy alone
Where this falls 1t can proceed no further. 1t cannot
egtmatey resort to force without direct authority of
Congress, except in resisting and repeng hostile at
attacks 1t would have authority to enter the terri
tory of Nicaragua, to prevent the destruction of
the transit and protect the lives and property of
own citizens in their passage.
1t is true that sudden emergency of this charac
ter the President would direct any armed force in the
VICINITY to march to their relief but in doing this he
circumstances, [ earnestly recommend to Congress the
passage of act authorizing the President under such
restrictions they may deem proper to employ the land
and naval forces of the United States preventing the
transit from being obstruced closed by awess vo
lence and in protecting the lives and property of Amer
lean citizens travelling thereupon requiring, at the same
time that these forces shall be withdrawn the moment
the danger shall have passed away. Without such
provision citizens will be constantly exposed to in
reference in their progress and to awless violence
mills itV for he an
act for the protection of the Panama and ehuantepec
routes Another subject equally important commanded
the attention of the Senate at the last session OF Con
gress. The Republics south of the United States
this continent have unfortunately been frequently in
state of revolution and civil since they achieved
their independence AS or the other party has pre-
vailed and obtained possession of the ports open to for
egn commerce, they have seized and conscated Amer
can vessels and their cargOes arbitrary and aWess
manner and extracted money from American citizens by
forced loans and other violent proceedings to enable them
to carry their hosttes. The executive government
of Great Britain France and other countries possess
ing war-makng power, can promptly employ the neces
sary to enforce immediate redress for similar out
RACES upon their subjects Not the executive gov
eminent of the United States.
If the President orders vessel of to any of these
ports to demand prompt redress for the ourages COM
mitted the offending parties well aware that in case
of REFUSAL the commander could do more than remon
strate He can resort to no hostile act The question
adequate redress never be obtained. Thus Ameri
can citizens deprived of the protection under
the flag of their country which the subjects of other
nations enjoy. The remedy for this state of things can
only be supplied by Congress- since the constitution has
confded to that body alone the power to make war.
Without the authority of Congress the executive can
not lawfully direct any force however may be to
the scene of the difficulty to enter the territory of Mexico,
Nicaragua New Granada for the purpose of defend
ing the persons and property of American citizens,
even though they may be violently assaulted while passing
in peaceful transit the 1ehuancpcc Nicaragua
r Panama routes.
He cannot, without transcendng his constitutional
power dire gun to be fired in port, or land sea-
to protect the lives of our countrymen
shore or to ban redress for recent outrage on their
property.
The banditti which intcst our neighboring republic
of Mexico, always claiming to belong to one or the
other hostile parties might make sudden descent
Vera Cruz the Tehuantepcc route, and he would
have power to employ the force shipboard in the
vicinity for their relief either to prevent the plumber Of
merchants the destruction of the transit In re-
ference to the countries where the local authorities are
strong enough enforce the laws the difficulties here
indicated seldom happen bat where this is not the
case and the local authorizes do not possess the physical
power, If they possess the WILL to protect our
citizens within their limits recent experience has shown
that the American executive should itself be authorized
to render this protection.
Such grant of authority, thus limited in its extent
could in just be regarded transfer of the
war making power to the executive, but only ap
propriae exercise of that power by the body to whom
e exclusively belongs.
The riot at Panama in 1856, in which great mum,
Der of citizens lost their lives furnishes pointed il
ustration of the necessity which may arise for the exe
ton Of this authority.
| therefore earnestly recommend to Congress- whom
the responsibility exclusively rests, to pass law, before
their adjournment, comforting the President the pow
to protect the lives and property of American citizens
in the which have indicated, under such restric
lions ard conditions as they may deem advisable. The
knowledge that such law exists would of ITSELF 60 far
to prevent the ourages which it is intended to redress
and render the employment of force unnecessary. With
out this the President of the United States may be
placed in painful position before the meeting of the
y next Congress.
> In the present disturbed condition of Mexico, and
one of the other Republics south of person
oresee what may take place before that
period. In OF emergency our citizens seeing that
they DO not enjoy the protection with the subjects
of European Government, will have just to com
plain On the other hand should the Executive inter
ere and especially should the result prove disastrous
and valuable lives be lost, he might subject himself tC
severe for having assumed power not confded
to him by the constitution. 1t is to guard against this
contingency that now appeal to Congress. Having
thus recommended to Congress measure which deem
necessary and expedient for the interests and honor
the country, leave the whole subject to their wisdom
and discretion JAMES BUCHANAN.
, Washington, Feb. 18TH 1859.
How they Treat Negroes i" Abolitiomdom.
revolving case of brutality and iltreatrnent in
neighbOrlng town, has just come to knowledge An
informant states that coored boy named John Doan
New York Asylum to Mr. Eli Bennett of Southport
and that he has been treated by that person with great