Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-18

conveyed them to safe and convenient sea-
port In the mean time an excited contro-
versy had arisen between the President of
Paraguay and the late United States Minis
ter, which it is understood grew out of his
proceedings in giving asylum in The United
States legation to alleged enemies of that re-
public. The questi n Of the right to give
asylum Is one always difficult, and often
productive of great embarrassment in States
well organized; and established foreign
Powers refuse either to concede or exercise
that right except as to persons actually be-
longing to the diplomatic service On the
other hand, all such Powers insist upon ex-
erclslng the right of asylum in States where
the law of nations is not fully acknowledged
respected, and obeyed The President of
Paraguay is understood to have opposed to
MIR. Washburne's proceedings the injurious
and very improbable charge of personal
| completely in instruction and treason The
| correspondence, however. has not yet reach
ed the United States Mr.. Washhurne, in
connection with this controversy, represents
that two United States citizens attached to
the legation were arbitrarily seized at his
side when leaving the capital of Paraguay.
committed to prison, and there subjected to
torture for the purpose of procuring confess
slons of their own criminality and testimony
to support the Presidents allegations against
the United States Minister. Mr. McMahon,
the newly appointed Minister to Paraguay,
| having reached the La Plata, has been in
structed to proceed without delay to Asun-
cion, there to investigate the whole subject
The Rear Admiral commanding the United
States South Atlantic squadron has been d.
rected to attend the new Minister with pro
per naval force to sustain such Just demands
as the occasion may require, and to vindi-
cate the rights of the United States citizens
referred to, and of any others who may be
exposed to danger in the theatre of war
With this exception friendly relations have
been maintained between the United States
and Brazil and Paraguay.
Our relations during the past year with
Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chill have be-
come especially friendly and cordial Spain
and the Republics Of Peru, Bolivia, and
Ecuador have expressed their willingness to
accept the mediation of the United States for
terminating the war upon the South Pacific
coast. Chill has not formally declared upon
the question. In the mean time the conflict
has practically exhausted itself. since no bel
| ligerent or hostile movement has been made
| by either party during the last two years,
and there are no Indications of a present pur-
pose to resume tostilities on either side
Great Britain and France have cordially Sec
onded our proposition of mediation, and |
do not forcgo the hope that it may soon be
accepted by all the belligerents, and lead to
a secure establishment of peace and friendly
relations between the Spanish American Re-
puhlics of the Pacific and SPAIN result
which would be attended with great benefits
to the hellgerepts and much advantage to
all commercial nations. [ communicate for
the consideration of Congress correspond
encc which shows that the barbarian repub-
lies have established the extremely liberal
principles Of receiving into its citizenship any
citizen of the United States or OF any other
of the American republics upon the simple
condition Of voluntary registry. The cores
pondence herewith submitted will he found
painfully replete with accounts of the ruin
and wrctchedness produced by recent earth
quakes OF unparalleled severity in Peru,
Ecuador, and Bolivia. The dipl 'matic agents
and naval officers of the United States who
we're present in those countries at The time
of these disasters furnished all the relief in
their power 20 the sufferers, and were
promptly rewarded with grateful and touch
ing Acknowledgements by the Congress Of
Peru. An appeal to the charity Of our fell
law-citizens has been answered by much IL
berality In this connection submit an ap-
peal which has been made by tn Swiss re-
public. whose Government and institutions
are kindred to our own. in behalf of its in
habitants, who arc suffering extreme destitu-
ton produced by recent devastating inunda-
| tons.
Our relations with Mexico during the
year have been marked by an increasing
growth of mutual confidence. The Mexi-
can Government has not yet acted upon the
three treaties celebrated here last summer
for establishing the rights of naturalized
citizens upon liberal and just basis for re-
! gniating consular powers aud for the adjust
ment of mutual claims.
All commercial nations, as well as all
friends Of republican institutions. have occa-
sion to regret the frequent local disturbances
which occur in some Of the constituent States
of Columbia. Nothing has occurred, how
ever, to affect the harmony Of cordial friend
ship which has for several years existed be-
tween that youth al and vigorous Republic
and our own Negotiations are pending
with view to the survey and construction
of ship canal across Che isthmus of Darien
under the auspices of the United States. |
hope to be able to submit the result of that
negotiation to the Senate during its present
session The very liberal treaty which was
entered into last yesr by the United States
and Nicarauga has been ratified by the lat
ter Republic
Costa Rica with the earnestness of il sin
cerely friendly neighbor, soicits a recipro-
city Of trade. which I commend to the con
sideration of Congress.
The Convention created by treaty between
the United States and Venezuela in July,
1865, for the mutual adjustment of claims,
has been held, and its decisions have been
received at the Department Of State
The heretofore recognized Government of
the United States of Venezuela has been sub
verted. A. provisional government having
been instituted under circumstances which
promise durability, it has been formally re-
cognized.
I have been Reluctantly obliged to ask
explanation and satisfaction for nationa! in
juries committed by the President of Hayti
The political and social condition Of the re-
publics of Hayti and St. Domingo and the
entire West Indies, except the Spanish is
lands Of Cuba and Porto Rico, has been fol-
lowed by profound popular conviction of
the righ'fulness of republican institutions,
and an intense desire to secure them The