The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-02

territory covered about 40 900 square miles nearly
large an area as that of the State of New York bnt
uld NOT extend below the twelfth parallel of latitude
W, Wlie me uyeT san Juan Is the eleventh have
the protest OF the State of Nicaragua against the occu
patton of the town of Nicaragua on the river San Juan
which as the protest declares, has been from time imme
moral IN her quiet and peaceabe possession The State
OF San Salvador Of the central American REPUBLICS
also unies IN the protest. and declares her determination
II the outrage shall be carried into effect, TO exert her
limits OF Central America"
understandings speak only from nformation-ihat
Great Britain has for time claimed TO have had the
Mosqutos-a mere naked tribe OF Indians OF few hun
dred personsunder her protection. Through her lniu
ence, they appointed king, who taken Ia Belize,
British station on the bay of Yucaan and there crowned
II SAID also, that the decease of that king he
onnd to have bequeathed his domnions 10 her Britannia
Majesty II appears to be certain that she has, under
this petence OF protection, extended her dominion over
an immense surface Central Americas that she has at
east one vessel OF war; the Sun. commanded by an Off
Ger bearing an English name, Commodore Trotter, OF
the Mosquito navy as he is styled in letter written by
the British consul at Bluefed and that she is still fur
ther extending herself against the remonstrance OF the
Central American States But these States besides being
physically weak. are distracted by internal feuds; and
the proceedings complained of be the unauthorized
acts OF British agents which Great Britain will dsavow
Is hardly to be expected that usurpaon unJust
ably consummaied will be abandoned on an appeal to the
justice OF the wrong-doer. Whether our government
should remain quescent under this encroachment upon
near and deienceless nelghbors. question worthy o
consideration Under any circumstances II seems 10
to afford little assurance OF non-intererence with the
affairs OF Mexico, if our forces were to be withdrawn
without treaty.
There is another consideration which ought not 10 be
overlooked. In July last Lord George Beninck made
motion for address her Britannia Majesty praying
her TO take such measures she might deem proper TO
secure the payment of the Spanish government bonds
held by British subjects. Those bonds amount to about
O00 900 OF dollars, and about 900 no m
terest whatever has been paid and including this debt
nearly $50 900 900 of dollars due to British subjects
by foreign governmentsa sum equal to about fifth
nj hpr Ia cnn OF hat
nations from time mmemoria it has been held that the
recovery OF just debts is lawful cause OF war; II the
country from which payment is due refuses to listen 10
the claims of the country to whom money is OWING
He quoted authorities TO show that the payment OF the
debt or the interest on it. might be enforced without hay
ing recourse to the army, though asserting the right to
resort to force to compel 1t. He referred to the rich
colonies of Spain, and especially Cuba, to show
that there was wealth enough in its annual prS Saa
to British bondholders" lie referred to the naval
force which Spain possessed, to show that there would
1.-THE most timid minister need not fear Having, IN
the course of his remarks, called the attention OF the
Minister OF Foreign Affairs TO the subject. Lord Palmer,
ston in responding to his call entered into an extended
statement in respect 70 the foreign debt due to British
subjects. He drew distinction between transactions by
government with another, by British subjects with
foreign government by British subjects with the subjects
Of another government and between debts and acts OF
injustice and oppression This distinction, however, he
He assented to the doctrine laid down by the noble lord
who made the motion for address; and he SAID II 1t
were the wise policy of England to lay down rule that she
would enforce obligations of this character, with the
same rigor those OF different character she would
have tu and far right accordnE to the laws OF ma
tons to do So And he concluded BY saving that Enfg
his noble friend because she aald OF these States,
all of them put together that i was not TO be sup
posed the British Parliament or the British natlon would
long remain patient under the wrong; and that they mad
ample power and means TO obtain justice -
pass over the doctrines put forth in the speech OF
ston though believe not perfectly clear that they can
be maintained to the full extent by appeal to any we'll
established principles of international law You know,
sir, that we have sometimes found British statesmen,
those holding places nearest to the throne at fault
both IN pect to matters OF principle and matters OF TACT
possession OF enlarged views of policy, combined
with greater practical talent and tact. than is often 10 be
found in the councils Of European soveresns pass over
the States OF this Union to pay their debts, stain upon
the NATIONAL character, q his own language0 when
it is well known that the suspension of payment was
temporary, and from overriding necessy that IN most
instances resumption has taken place and that in all the
most earnest efforts have been made TO resume the dis
upon US at the moment when our people with one heart
sending abroad their agricultural surplus to feed the
IN ie not om ns G
ship loads, public and private; and so far as the com
mercal portion is concerned, believe our merchants
have for months been draining banks OF specie TO
send abroad TO meet their pecuniary obligations
while they have been unable to draw on their debtots
in England for the proceeds Of the breadsuts by which
to the important fact that Mexico was among the
indebted foreign States enumerated in report, which
the motion of Lord George Bentincl was founded What
is the extent Of her Indebtedness do not know, but
understand about seventy millions OF dollars; and be
lieve it was but recently that the public domain in Cali
orna morgaged to the creditors for portion OF this
amount though the lien is said to be discharged
appeal 10 honorable senators to say, with these facts
before them-wt this public and official assertion Of
principle, which, according to Lord Pamerston the Brit
sh government has only absianed from practically
forcing through mere considerations Of policywhether,
if forces We're Withdrawn from Mexico, and that
country should become prey to the anarchy and confu
sion which has regned there 80 long, and which, if re-
newed, would, in all probability, become universal and
hopeless-wheher, say, there would not be tempta
proclaimed 10 practice-wheher some portion of thu
Mexican territory might not be occupied guaranty for
the payment Of the debt due British subjects and thus
another principle be violated which we are committed TO
maintain do not TO say that this consideration,
if it stood alone should absolutely control conduct
But as auxiliary to the graver considerations to which
have referred appears that it may properly be al
lowed some weght-enough, ,sx perhaps, to turn the
scale, if it were already baangs othough think there
is sufficient, without it. to incline decisiyey TO the side
OF continued occupation.
Besides British subjects have other extensive pecunary
interests in Mexico; they have large commercial estab-
shments and heavy investments OF capital IN the mining
districts If the political affairs of that country shoul
fall into inexticabe confusion, II is not to be suppose
that these great interests will be abandoned by Great
Britain and vet it is extremely difficult to see BY what
nterposition on her part they could be secured without
the danger OF collision between her and u.s.
FRO BE Continued