The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-07-14 00:00:00

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN QUESTION

The following memorandum, drawn up by the repre-
sentatives of Honduras, will be submitted to the represen-
tives of the different European Powers accredited to her
Majesty, as explanatory of the policy of Honduras on the
only subject on which it can have a general or European
interest:—

The geographical position of Central America, between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, gives to that country a
special interest in the eyes of commercial nations.
The establishment of adequate lines of interoceanic
communication through its territories by means of rail-
ways or canals, or both, is an object of universal impor-
tance.
Great Britain and the United States, recognising its
importance, have made it the subject of a special conven-
tion, concluded in the year 1850, in Article VIII. of which
they establish as a "general principle," and agree "to
extend their protection, by treaty stipulations," to all
" practicable communications, whether by canal or rail-
way, across the isthmus which connects North and South
America.
They also declare that such communications " being
open to the subjects and citizens of Great Britain and
the United States, on equal terms, should also be open to
the subjects and citizens of every other State which is
willing to grant thereto such protection as Great Britain
and the United States engago to afford."

Now, although several lines of interoceanic communica-
tions " have been designated, each having its earnest
supporters, yet it is the opinion of competent judges that
the line recently proposed through the State of Honduras,
from Puerto Caballos to the Bay of Fonseca, possesses
signal advantages over any other that has yet been
sug,ested for a railway.
The commission to which its examination was confided
reported that " the natural conditions of the county, its
general salubrity, and abundant resources, not less than
capacious, safe, and altogether unexceptionable harbours,
at both extremities, distinguish this line as combining
the obvious and primary requisites for an adequate and
permanent interoceanic communication." And Captain
Fitzroy, II N., in his report to Lard Clarendon on the
subject, after a general review of the various routes,
concludes " that this recently proposed line through
Honduras appears to him more promising, as a perma-
nently important work, than any other railway yet pro-
posed across the isthmus."
To facilitate the construction of a work, promising so
great advantages, the government of Honduras has con-
ceded a charter of the most liberal character to the
parties to whose enterprise the world is indebted for
the discovery and explanation of the route. This char-
ter recognises in their fullest extent the principles laid
d )wn in the convention between Great Britain and the
United States. It offers equal facilities to the whole
world, and is not encumbered by stipulations which might
restrict the usefulness of the work or to give to any
nation the slightest advantage over another.
This charter, which was ratified by the Legislative
Chambers of Honduras, and proclaimed as a law of the
State on the 28th of April, 1854, provides (Art 5, sec. 6)
that the government of Honduras shall open negotiations
with the various governments with which it may have
relations, " for their separate recognition of the neu-
trality, and for the protection of the route; " and to
prevent any misunderstanding or jealousy, it furthermore
provides, that " the treaty stipulations with each and
all governments in respect to the said route shall be in
terms the same."
In deference to these indications, the representatives of
Honduras, accredited by Great Britain, France, and the
United States, have draughted an article which they
conceive might be appropriately appended to all treaties
of amity and commerce that Honduras may have the good
fortune to make with the great maritime Powers of
Europe and America. In framing it, they have followed
out the earnest wish of their governments to concede all
useful privileges connected with the proposed transit to
all nations on equal terms, viz., the recognition of the
undisputed sovereignty of Honduras over the line of the
road, the guarantee of its neutrality, and its protection
against violence and interruption. The government of
Honduras does not anticipate that circumstances will
ever arise to require any of the Powers which may enter
into these stipulations to give practical force to their
guarantees; but it is not to be doubted that the fact of
their existence would give to Honduras a great moral
support, and contribute to: make the proposed route of
transit useful and secure.

PROPOSED ARTICLE

Inasmuch as a contract was entered into by the
Government of Honduras and a company entitled the
Honduras Interoceanie Railway Company, for the pur-
pose of constructing a railway from the Atlantic to the
Pacific Oceans, through the territories of Honduras, which
contract was ratified by the constitutional powers of the
State, and proclaimed as a law on the 28th day of April,
1834; and sir ce, by the terms of article 5, sec. 6 of the
said contract, " the Government of Honduras, with the
view to secure the route herein contemplated from all
interruption and disturbance from any cause, or under
any circumstances, engages to open negotiations with the
various Governments with which it may have relations,
for their separate recognition of th.) perpetual neutrality,
and for the protection of the aforesaid route;'' therefore,
to carry out the obligations thus incurred :

1. The Government of Honduras agrees that the right
of way or transit over such route or road, or any other
that may be constructed within its territories, from sea
to sea, shall be at all times open and free to the Glvern-
went anti aunjeels (or tiltlzen6) of tureat Britain), tor
all lawful purposes whatever, and no tolls, duties, or
charges of any kind shall be imposed on the transit of
property belonging to the Government of (Great Britain),
or on the public mails set under authority of the same,
nor upon the subjects (or citizens) of (the British Crown) :
and all lawful produce, manufactures, merchandise, or
other property belonging to subjects (or citigens) of
(Great Britain) passing from one ocean to the other, in
eiiher direction, shall not be subject to any import or
export duties whatever and shall be secure and protected
from all interruption or detention on the part of the State ;
and finally

as an evidence of its disposi; ion to accord to

the travel and commerce of the world all the advantages
resulting from its position in respoet to the two great
oceans, Honduras, or her own good will, engages to estab-
lish the ports at the extremities of the contemplated
road as free ports for all the purposes of commerce and
trade.

2. In consideration of these concessions, in orCier to
secure the construction and permanence of the route or
rsad herein contemplated, and also to secure for the benefit
of mankind the uninterrupted advantages of such communi-
cation from sea to sea (Great Britain), recognises the rights
of sovereignty and property of Honduras in and over the
line of said road, and for the same reason guarantees posi-
tively and efficaciously the entire neutrality of the same, so
long as (Great Britain) shall enjoy the privileges conceded
to it in the preceding section of this article. And when the
proposed road shall have been completed (Great Britain)
equally engages, in conjunction with Honduras, to protect
the same from interruption, saizure, or unjust confiscation,
from whatsoever quarter the attempt may proceed.

ST. ANNE'S DISPENSARY AND EYE AND EAR INSTI-
TUTION, 9, ROSE-HlLL.—Week ending July 12th—New
patient.; entered on the books last week, viz—Relieved at
the instituion, 159 ; relieved at their own dwellings, 75 ;
caces of prevailing epidemic, 0. Total, 234. Visitors—
Mr. E. Watts, Mr. T. Kirk. Hon. secretary and treasurer,
Joseph Kitchen, EEq. _

RESIGNATION OF MR. PARKER, M.P. FOR PRESTON.—
It is generally understood in Preston t hat Mr. R. T. Par-
ker, the conservative member of parliament for Preston,
would accept the Chiltern Hundreds, and a placard has
been extensively posted throughout the town, calling upon
the conservative electors to reserve their votes, as a con-
servative candidate would be brought forward to supply
the vacancy. The placard was signed by the chairman of
the Preston Conservative Registration Society.
OPEN AIR PREACHING —Yesterday the ltev. Verner M.
White delivered an open air sermon on the waste ground in
front of Milner's Phoenix Iron Safe Works, Windsor. The
preacher commenced his discourse at half-past two o'clock.
A considerable number of persons had assemb'el previous
to that time, and before the sermon had proceeded far, a
crowd of no trifling magnitude was gathered together. The
numbers, however, did not at all equal those who assembled
on the previous Sunday at the same place. The rev,
preacher's discourse chiefly dwelt upon the power of salva-
tion contained in the word of Christ, and the effect which
love of Christ must have in mak'ng all men fraternal, how-
ever divided by class-distinction, or varying seetar an
denomination. It may he remarked that the audience
consisted almost altogether of very well-dressed persons, and
that scarcely any of those who could be considered t ) belong
to the lowest classes, and who may he suppose-I to be
unused to attendance in churches, were amongst the people
who assembled there,
LIST OF PASSENGERS PER R.M.C. AMERICA, FROM BO,TOY,
VIA HALIFAX, TO LIVERPOOL.—Mr. A. H. Bull aryl lady,
Mrs. W. Smalley, Mrs. Danieralz, Mr. J. S. Dve aed lady,
Mrs. F, Crawford, Miss A. Biddles' Mr. W. W. Story,
lady, child, and servant, Messrs. T. G. Appleton and friend,
S. Simpson. C. Congreve, E. Scott, J. Higgins, S. Algu-
gary, P. Saden, D. A. de Ugeos, J. S. de Agrede, J.
B ,nascoe, C. Vellenod, R. Kant, A. Hooler, Ross, Mr.
Langenhagen and lady, Messrs. J. Berges, R. Harcourt,
C. J. Leverett, 11. Cheney, T. W. Daniel, Vassie,
S. Kiniysy, Chamberlain, Capt. R. IL-Bowel!, Messrs J.
Harris, E. W. Brown, D. P. Lombard, G. Whittaker, W.
0. Velie, W. J. Levi, J. M'Anliff, R. H. D Ina, jun, Mr.
F. W, Stone and two sons, Mr. P. F. Eve, Mr. P. C. Kill-
burne, Mr. A. 'Murrill, Mr. H. Pearse and son, Messrs. E.
Pearse, E. J. Paine, C. Carter, R. A. M'Andrew, R,
Thomas, Mrs. C. Kelly, Mr. S. David, Mr. A. Fabrev, Mr,
P. Browne, lady, child, and friend, Mr. J. A. C'ark, Dr.
Houston, Messrs. W. Wolstenholm, J. Jacobs, G. Bee, J
J. D. Radcliffe, J. B. Andrews, F. Winter, Mr. G. Muir
lady, and infant, Mr. M'lnnes, Mr. J. Hurst, Mr. S. 0.
Angell, Mr. R,. Morrison, Mr. Taylor, lady, and two infants,
Messrs. F. S. Horsley, .1, D. A. Illensing, F. Sansberg, F.
fi,ld, Mr. Cartlidge, lady, and maid, Mr. C. Pratt, Mr.
B. P. Benson, Mr. P. H. Young, Mr. L. 11. Hatch, Mr.
Glass, lady, and infant, Mr. -Nicole, Mr. J. F. Fin-
loyson, Mr. Vaseanique, and servant, Mr; P. Hughes,
Hon, W. Napier ; Messrs. A. Mean, A. Lecourt, W.
Blinkeron, L. Becknell, J. Hellen, J. Skraenka. G. Lawes,
J. Gordon, Harts, Mitchell, Hardy, Harris Gretz, J. J.
Morris; Miss Morris, Mr. Jardan, Miller, Captain Ogle,
Messrs. Fisdall, Jowitt, Holderness, Donnelly, M'Gregor ;
Lieutenant Adams, Mr. Vail, Major Cooch, Mr. Syre, Lieut.
Archer, Messrs. Clenadon, Gall, Hoskin;, Waterson and
e Ryan.-138.