, 1859-01-14

nada and Mexico, in addition to the consid- .
eratlons applicable to the Nicaragua route,
seem to require legislation for the purpose Of
carrying them into effect.
The injuries which have been inflicted
upon our citizens in Costa Rica and Nieara-
qua during the last two or three years have
received the prompt attention Of this gov
ernment Some Of these injuries were Of the
most aggravated character The transac-
ton at Virgin Bay, in April, 1856, when a
party of unarmed Americans, who were in
no way connected with any bellgierent con-
duct or party, were fred upon by the troops
Of Costa Rica, and numbers Of them killed
and wounded, was brought TO the knowledge
Of Congres by my predecessor soon after its
occurrence, and was also presented to the
government Of Costa Rica, for that immedi-
ate investigation and redress which the na-
ture Of the case demanded. A similar
course was pursued with reference to other
outrages in these countries, some Of which
we're hardly less aggravated in their charac-
ter than the transaction at Virgin Bay. At
the time, however, when our present Minis
ter to Nicaragua was appointed, in Decem-
ber, 1857, no redress had been obtained for
any Of these wrongs, and no reply even had
been received to the demands which had
been made by this government on that Of
Costa Rica, more than year before. Our
Minister was instructed, therefore, TO lose
no time in expressing to these governments
the deep regret with which the President
had witnessed this inattention to the just
claims Of the United States, and in demand
ing their prompt and satisfactory adjust
ment. Unless this demand shall be com
piled with at an early day, it will only re-
main for this government to adopt such 9th
er measures as may be necessary, in order to
obtain for itself that justice which it has in
vain attempted to secure from the govern
ments Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. While
il has shown, and will continue to show the
most sincere regard for the rights and honor
Of these republics, it cannot permit this re-
gard to be met by an utter neglect, on
their part, Of what is due to the government
and citizens Of the United States.
OUR RELATIONS WITH NEW GRANADA.
Against New Granada we have long
standing causes Of complaint, arising out
Of the nnsatis6ed claims Of our citizens upon
that republic; and to these have been more
recently added the outrages committed upon
our citizens at Panama, 10 April, 1856
A treaty for the adjustment Of these diff
culties was concluded by the Secretary Of
State aud the Minister Of New Granada, in
September, 1857, which contained just aud
acceptable provisions for that purpose
The treaty was transmitted TO Bogota, and
was ratified by the government of New
Granada, but with certain amendments.
1t was not. however, returned to this city
until after the close Of the last session Of
the Senate. 1t will be Immediately trans
mitted to that body for their advice and
consent; and should this be obtained, il
remove all our existing causes Of complaint
against New Granada on the subject Of
claims.
Questions have arisen between the two
governments, as to the right Of New Gra-
nada to levy Tonnage duty upon the YES
sells Of the United States in its ports of the
Isthmus, and to levy a passenger tax upon
our citizens arriving in that country, whetb-
er with a design to remain there or to pass
from ocean to ocean by the transit route
and also q tax upon the mail of the United
States transported over the Panama rail
road. The government Of New Granada
has been Informed that the United States
would consider the collection Of either Of
these taxes as on act in violation of the
treaty between the two countries, and as
such would be resisted by the United States.
At the same time, we are prepared 10 dis
cuss these questions in q spirit Of amity and
justice, and with a sincere desire to adjust
them 10 satisfactory manner. A negotia-
tion for that purpose has already been com.
menced, No effort has recently been made
to collect these taxes, nor is any anticipa-
ted under present circumstances.
OUR RELATIONS WITH BRAZIL.
With the empire of Brazil our relations
are Of the most friendly character. The
productions Of the two countries, and espe.
cially those of an agricultural nature, are
such as to invite extensive mutual exchan.
ges. A large quantity Of American -four
is consumed in Brazil; whilst more than
tribe the amount in value Of Brazilian
coffee is consumed in the United States
Whilst this is the case, a heavy duty has
been levied, until very recently, upon the
Importation Of American -four into Brazil
j am pratiied bOayeyer 10 be able To in.