The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-01


by the ayidty imputed to Tor territorial extension
Ought not this danger to influence to extent own
conduct at least so FAR TO dlssuade us from abandon
ing until better prospect for durable peace shall
ISL the advantage have gained bellIgerents! We
know great majority of the Mexican people radical
ly avese to any other than republican form OF govern
ment, but we know also the pr0nenesS oil people among,
whom anarchy reigBs triumphant TO seek any refuge
which promises the restoration of tranquility and social
order.
Mr., President, any attempt by European power to in
terpose IN the affairs OF Mexico either to establish
archy, or TO maintain, in the language of NJ Guizot,
the equilibrium OF the great political forces in Ame
ca, would be the signal for far important
ITS consequences and nscrutable in its than this
We could not submit 10 such lnterpositon If would
The pubic opinion OF the country would compel us 10
resist It. We are committed by the most formal declar-
TONS first made by President Monroein 1922 and
peated by the present Chief Magistrate of the Union
We have protested in the most solemn manner against
any further colonization by European powers this
unent We have protested against any interference in
the political concerns of the independent states in this
hemisphere. protest, IT is true, does imply that the
ground 1t assumes is to be maintained at all hazards and
II necessary by force OF Great Britain protested
against the interference OF France in the affairs OF Spain
1928 She has recently protested against the alb
sorpuon of CMcow by Austria as a violation OF the po-
lilca order of Europe, settled at Vienna by the allied
soveregns, and against the Montpenser marriage as a
member that IN either she did anything more
than TO proclaim to the world her dissent from
the acts against which she entered her protest Ii
has always seemed to me to be unwse in a govern
ment to put forth manestoes without being prepared
TO maintain them by acts, TO make declarations
OF abstract principle until the occasion has arrived for
enforcing them. The declarations OF President having
no power to make war without vote of Congress- OF
to employ the military force of the country except
defend our own territory, very different from the protest
OF sovereign holding the issues OF peace and war In his
own hands. But the former may not be less efectual
when they sustained as believe those of Presidents
Monroe and Polk are respect European interference
on the American continent, by an undivided public opn
ion even though they may not have received formal
response from Congress hold therefore, if any such
inteposlton that to which have referred should take
place. resistance part would inevitably follow and
we should become involved in controversies OF which
man could foresee the end.
Before quit this part of the subject, desire advert
to some circumstances recently made public and if true,
indicating significantly the extent TO which Great Britain
disposed to carry her other Entertainments this
unent, as IN every other quarter OF the globe On the
coast OF Honduras Central America, commonly called
the Mosquito coast there is tribe of Indians bearing the
same name, numbering but few hundred individuals,
aud inhabiting miserable villages the neighbor
hood OF Cape Gracias dos. the fifteenth parallel
of north latitude Several hundred miles south is the
river San Juan, running from Lake Nicaragua to the
Caribbean sea, space OF about two degrees of longitude
with the town OF Nicaragua at Its mouth, and castle
fort about midway between the town and the lake. The
lake only fifteen leagues from the Pacific, and const
tutes, with the river San Juan OF the proposed lines
for ship canal the ishmus. Great Britain has
recently laid claim 10 the river San Juan and the town OF
Nicaragua if she has not actually taken possession of
the latter have seen communication from the British
consul general at Guatemala asserting the independence
OF the Mosquitoes nation. have also seen com
Mosquito shore, asserting that the Mosquito flag and
nation under the special protection OF the of
Great Brltan; and that the limits which the British
government is determined to maintain the right OF the
king OF the Mosquitoes comprehend the San Juan
river" By Arrowsmh's London Atlas, published in
s40 the Mosquito territory covered about 40 900 square
miles, nearly large that of the State of New
York; but it did not extend below the twelfth parallel OF
latitude, while the river San Juan the eleventh.
have seen the protest OF the State OF Nicaragua against
San Juan, which, the protest declares has been from
time immemoria in her quiet and peaceabe possession.
The State of San Salvador one of the Central American
republics also unes in the protest. and declares her de-
termination, if the outrage shall be carried into effect to
exert her whole power until the usurper shall be driven
from the limits OF Central America
| understand for speak only from information, that
Great Britain has for time claimed to have had the
Mosquitoes mere naked tribe OF Indians OF few hun
bred persons, under her protection" Through her nlu
ence they appointed king who was taken to Belize
British station the bay OF Yucatn, and there crowned
tits said, also, that the decease OF the king, he
mic Majesty 1t appears to be certain that she has, under
this preence of protection, extended her dominion over
immense surface in Central America; that she has at
least vessel OF the Sun, commanded by Off
Ger bearing an English name, Commander Irotter OF
the Mosquito navy as he styled IN letter written by
the British consul at Bluefed and that she is still furh
er extending herself against the remonstrances OF the
Central American States But these States, besides be-
ing physically weak, distracted by internal feuds
thozed acts OF British agents. which Great Britain will
dsavow 1t Is hardly to be expected that usurpaton so
consummated will be abandoned APP
peal to the justice of the wrong door Whether gov
eminent should remain quescent under this encroach
ment upon and detencees5 neghbors, is question
worthy of consideration Under any circumstances,
tome to afford little of non.intererence
with the affairs of Mexico If forces to be with
drawn without treaty.
There is another consideration which ought not TO be
overlooked In July last, Lord George Bentinck made
motion for address to her Britannia Majesty, praying
her to take such she might deem proper TO
secure the payment of the Spanish government bonds
held by British subjects Those bonds amount to about
three hundred and eighty millions of dollars, and on
about three hundred and forty millions interest what
has been paid and including this debt nearly seven
hundred and thirty millions OF dollars are due to British
subjects by foreign governmens-a sum equal to about
fifth of her national debt He contended that, .by
the law of nations, from time immemoral, it has been
held that the recovery of just debts is lawful cause oil
If the country from which payment is due refuses to
listen to the claims OF the country to which money is
owing. He quoted authortesto show that the payment
of the debt the interest 1t, might be secured with
out having arms though asserting the right to
MES of Spain, and especially Cuba, TO show that there
was wealth enough in its annual produce and reve-
nue. "to pay the whole debt due by Span to bli-
sh bondhoders" lie referred to the naval force winch
Spain possessed to show that there would not De any
very effective resistance" and that he most umd MN
ister' need not fear IT, Having IN me course r .. ,9
remarks called the attention of the Minister oil roregh
Affairs to the subject Lord Pamersion irrrespohuihs 70
his call entered into an extended statement IN respect TO
the foreign debt due-to British subjects lie drew aus
tinction between transactions by one government win
another by British subjects with foreign government
by British subjects with the SUBJECTS OF anone govern
men and between debts and acts OF injustice and oppres
sion This distinction, however, he treated as matter
of exnedencv and established practice. He assened to
The doctrine laid down by the noble lord who made the