, 1859-01-14


Eill not Be satisfied with less They would
not 4 they could, derive any advantage from
the Nicaragua transit not common TO the
rest Of the world. Its neutrality and pro-
tection, for the common use Of all nations,
is their only object They have no objection
that Nicaragua shall demand and receive a
fair compensation from the companies aud
individuals who may traverse the route !;
bat they insist that il shall never hereafter
Be closed BY any arbitrary decree Of that
government II disputes arise between il
and those with whom they may have entered
into contracts, these must be adjusted by
same fair tribunal provided for the purpose,
and the route must not be closed pending
the controversy. This is our whole policy,
and Il cannot fail to be acceptable TO other
nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided, If,
consistently with the good faith Of Nicara-
qua, the use Of this transit could be thrown
open 10 general competition, providing at
the same time for the payment Of q reasona-
bic rate TO the Nicaraguan Government, on
passage and freight.
In August, 1859, the Accessory Transit
Company made its first inter-oceanic trip
over the Nicaraguan route, and continued
In successful operation, with great advan-
tage 10 the public, until the ls Of February,
1856, when i was closed, and the grant to
this company, as well as its charter, were
summArily and arbitrarily revoked by the
government Of President Rivss. Previous
10 this date, however, in 1854, serious dis
puts concerning the settlement Of their ac-
counts had arisen between the Company and
tho government, threatening the Interrupt
tion Of the route at any moment. These
the United States In vain endeavored to
compose. 1t would be useless TO narrate
the various proceedings which took place
between the parties, up till the time when
the transit was discontinued. Suffice it 10
say, that since February, 1856, it has re-
NAMED closed. greatly to the prejudice Of
citizens Of Che United States. Since that
time the c0mpetition has ceased between the
rival routes Of Panama and Nicaragua, and,
In consequence thereof, an unjust and unrea-
sonable amount has been exacted from our
citizens for their passage to and from Cali
fornia.
A treaty was signed on the 10th day Of
November, 1851, BY the Secretary Of State
and Minister Of Nicaragua, under the stipu-
lations Of which the use and protection Of
the transit route would have been secured,
not only 10 the United States, but equally
70 AL other nations. How and by what
y. AZ. 49,. A. L.. e.tla1 20 rnoofva fho
ratification Of the Nicaraguan government,
viii appear by the papers herewith commu-
nicated from the Stale Department. The
principal objection seems to have been TO
the provision authorizing the United States
70 employ force 10 keep the route open, In
case Nicaragua should fail to perform her
duty in this respect From the feeblenees
Of that republic, is frequent changes Of
government, and its constant internal dis
sensions, this had become a most important
and one essentially necessary not
only for the security Of the route, but for
the safety Of Amesican citizsns passing and
repassing to and from our Pacific possess
ions We're such stipulation embraced in
a treaty between tho United States and
Nicaragua, the knowledge Of this fact would
Of itself most probably prevent hostile par
ties from committing aggression on the
route, and render our actual Interference foI
for lts protection unnecessary.
The executive government Of this country
in its intercourse with foreign nations, i
limited TO the employment Of diplomacy
alone When this fails, it can proceed nC
further. II cannot legiumately resort t
force without the direct authority Of Con
gress, except in resisting and repelling hos
tile attacks Il would have no authority tC
enter the territories Of Nicaragua, even t
prevent the destruction Of the transit, anC
protect the lives and property Of our owl
citizens on their passage. 1t Is true that OF
q sudden emergency Of this character, th'
President would direct any armed force il
the vicinity TO march to their relief but il
doing this, he would act upon his own re
sponsibility.
Under these circumstances, / earnestly
recommend TO Congress the passage of al
act authorizing the President, under sucl
restrictions as they may deem proper, Il
employ the land and naval forces of tn,
United States in preventing the transit from
being obstructed or closed by lawless VIC
lence, and in protecting the lives and prop
erty Of American citizens travelling there
upon, requiring at the same time that thesl
forces shall be withdrawn the moment tn,
danger shall have passed away. Without
such provision, our citizens will be con
stantly exposed to interruption in theil
progress, and to lawless violence.
THE PANAMA AND rEHUANTEPEc ROUTES.
A similar necessity exists for the passag,
Of such an act for the protection Of tht
Panama and Tehuantepec routes.
In reference to the Panama route, tb,
United States, by their existing treat@Ssll
New Granada, expressly guarantee t6elas
trality Of the Isthmus, with the view thai
the free transit from the one to the othel
sea may not be interrupted or embarrassed
in any future time while this treaty exists.
In regard to- the Tehuantepec route
which has fecently opened under the
most favorable auspices, our treaty with