New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-01
PROTECTION TO AMERICAN INTER-
ESTS AT PANAMA.
iBREyooRT HOUSE, NEw-YoBK, }
Thursday, Oct. %, 1860. !

IhuTtday Uct. -, looV' }
Hon. Le,ris Cas-, Secretary of State:
SIR: You are aware las it was ratified under Presi-
dent Buchanans Administration Secretary Of State
that the treaty of NewGlanada gave the right and i'm
posed the duty upon the United St2tes to protect
the interoceauic transt Of the Isthmus OF Pan
ANA. No other Government has acquired the "a ne
right, or assumed the same obligations. And apart
from the treaty, the interests OF American cllZsns
involved iD the railroad tbe chief means OF commuui-
cation between the Atlantic and Pacific States, and
those no cIoss upon with msi's and treasure,
superadd to such treaty engagements the general
duty Of our Government 10 maintain their legitimate
interests Hence do not perceive that the iucllna-
ton Of English cousins, TO get new TOO holds all
over the world, and especially In Central A nerca,
need be eneoWsg to this particular part OF the
American Continent 1t is notorious that for months
past The British naval force the coast o. Central
Am eriea and southwark have been mere efficient in
the protection of American interests than our
own. The arrest Of the fhbustsr Walker was by a
British shp-ofwar; the late openiog of the River
Magdaena stopped by the Revolutionary forces, in
defiance Of law and resty the commerce OF which is
almost entirely carried American Steamers is due
to the Intervention of British ship-ofwar. There
are constantly British vessels of at the termini Of
the Panama Railroad.
You sre aware of the recent temporary and Joint iu
teryention and occupation by British and Uned States
forces, to save Pspama from sack aud Iillage by
band of negro desperadoes. was there on the llth
instant, when the town was again m sDaced and IN
state OF great excitement, and arigh'ed women and
children fleeing for refuge to tbs foreign Con-
saates. Beside permanent guard AT SONS of the
Cor suates in Pausms OF about twenty British marines,
the boats of the British rgste Clio were manned, and,
ounted with cannon moored close to the town, ready
10 lard at moments warning.
The only United States yessel-of-war at either ter
minus the sloop st. Marys, Capt Portor aud she
was nder perewptOry orders TO sail immediately for
Collie Dulce, and whers considerable number OF her
crtw were detached, forming party, under Lieut..
budr FIR
protected Chiriqn Railroad speculation Consequently
the gallant Capt Porter could not exercise any dscre-
ton and the entire protection OF the transit was LETT TO
the British forces.
To save the honor of our country from the humilia
ton OF her citizens being obliged 70 rely TO prevent
a repetition Of the Panama msssacres OF April 10, 1900
upon the generosity charity OF the captain OF Brit
sh frgae for TIE protection OF their lives and property
al for the protection OF the mails of the United states
the Panama Railroad Company offered il Capt Porter
would main AZ Panama, 20 send at ts own expense,
one of its searners with the surveying expedition, and
briog them back after completing the surveye BY this
means though matter ofeeveral thousand dollars lose
to the railroad company, Capt. Porter was enabled to
rem ain.
This state of things is exceedingly notifying to
American citizens. Surely Americans in America
ought not 70 be forced fly 10 tie British ig for pro-
lection
But when the Importance of this transit route is esti.
ms9dwheh il is considered that six hundred tuns oil
United States mails, one hundred millions Oh
American bullion and fifty thousand American citi-
zens and many millions OF dollars worth OF America
merchandise annually pass over the route surely
ought not TO be regarded matter OF secondary I'M
pOrtaDce.
feel no disposition TO animadvsrt upon the Chriqui
speculation or the views of thoss interested in it, out
dee m il entirely proper call your attention TO the
fact that the absence of the United States ship Brook
lyn for months from Aspnwal, and the withdrawal Of
the St. Marys from Panama (only prevented by the
patriotic Offer Of the Panama Railroad Company,
both 10 be engaged exclusively under orders Of the
Secretary Of the Navy in aid of tho speculative and
Specializing Cbriqui project Ia notorious hunbugb
oUght thi k, 10 receive your attention. The appo
pration by Cor9ress fer the survey OF the expedition
vas limited learn 70 $40 0OO but il is probable tlat
the auxiliary aid of the Navy Department afforded 10
the employment of public ships, officers aud mea, aad
the and consumption Of public property is nearer
quarter of million. Certainly the President canno.
be- aware of this peTversion Of the naval forces puoc
treasure and property devoted to the naval serves,
to .spbeerye private and pereonal specuatng pur.
po&o II has been in this instance, TO the de,riment
interests and the neglect of the proper ieS Ut
1iss of that branch Of our Governmenth iosce,
Inperative BY treaty stpulations, demanded ny
~ dictate of national honor, and required oy that
bjch obljgation of protection those who owe AMI
Well "a fSeir country patriotic allegiance VI The in-
fnenceu M A Abe motives which have induced the
var, ooaaur1f course have brought 70 your atten
ton, Ihn<o thing to say Whatever they may have
been. even merely errors Of Judgment, they no
relief 10 the modification American citizens at nome
| abroad must experience AZ such occurrences.
Very respectfully, your obedt Serv't