NICARAGUA, 1867. 571 ment of Nicaragua on the vessel of the United States, or on any eifeets or merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of the United States, or upon the vessels or eilbcts of any other country intended, bona. Bde lor transit across the said routes of communication, and not for consum pz tion within the Republic of Nicaragua. The United States shall also be Conveyance gf at liberty, on giving notice to the Government or authorities of Nicura- troops. gmx, to carry troops and munitions of war in their own vessels, or otherwise, to either of said free ports, and shall be entitled to their conveyance between them without obstruction by said Government or authorities, and without any charges or tollswhatever for their transportation on either of said routes; provided said troops and munitions of war are not intended to be employed against Central American nations friendly to Nicaragua. And no higher or othereharges or tolls T¤¤¤· shall he imposed on the conveyance or transit of persons and property of citizens or subjects of the United States, or of any other country, across the said routes of communication, than are or may be imposed ou the persons and property of citizens of N icarugna. And the Republic of Nicaragua concedes the right of the Postmaster Closed mails. General of the United States to enter into contracts with any individuals or companies to transport the mails of the United States along the said routes of communication, or along any other routes across the Isthmus, in its discretion, in closed bags, the contents of which may not be intended for distribution within the said Republic, free ttom the imposition of all taxes or duties by the Government of Nicaragua; but this liberty is not to be construed so as to permit such individuals or companies, by virtue of this right to transport the mails, to carry also passengers or freight. Amrrcm XVI. The Republic of Nicaragua agrees that, should it become necessary Protection of at any time to employ military forces for the security and protection of *¤¤¤¤i*¤ ¥<>¤¤•>¤· persons and property passing over any of the routes aforesaid, it will employ the requisite force for that purpose; but upon failure to do this from any cause whatever, the Government of the United States may, with the consent, or at the reque t of the Government of Nicaragua-, or of the Minister thereof at Washington, or of the competent legally nppointed local authorities, civil or military, employ such force for this und for no other purpose; and when, in the opinion of the Government of Nicaragua, the necessity ceases, such force shall be immediately withdrawn. In the exceptional case, however, of unforeseen or imminent danger to the lives or property of citizens of the United State , the forces of `suid Republic are authorized to act for their protection without such consent having been previously obtained. But no duty or power imposed upon or conceded to the United States by the provisions of this article shall be performed or exercised except by authority and in pursuance of laws of Congress hereafter enacted. It being understood that such laws shall not atiect the protection and guarantee of the neutrality of the routes of transit, nor the obligation to withdraw the troops which may be disem barked in N icamgna directly that, in the judgment of the Government of this Republic, they should no longer be necessary, nor in any manner bring about new obligations on Nicaragua, nor alter her rights in virtue of the present treaty. Amrrcm XVII. It is understood, however, that the United States, in eccording pro- g'¤:l;d;‘*;';*;l KP tectiou to such routes of communication, and guaranteeing the1r neu- {mud Bmw Y trality and security, always intend that the protection andguurentee ure grunted conditionally, and may be withdrawn it' the United_States should deem that the persons or company undertaking or mznmging the same adopt or establish such regulations concerning the truille there-
