The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-18
Translated from La Cr6nica Of December l5.
Nicarauu0.

1
conventions entered into by Mr.. SoUIER with that
State. Senior CARcAcHE left Central America since
the late occurrences ON the coast of Honduras and
San Salvador the Pacific and the new aspect
which these events have given to the negotiations of
Mr.. SoUIER in Central America cannot fail TO in
volve the mission of the Nicaraguan envoy in diff
Guilty. The new outrage committed by the English
has excited for the present discussion in diplo
matte form by the American Charge d. Afiaires, in
volying and connecting two or more States OF Cen
trail America in the relations of Nicaragua with this
Confederacy.
But lot us look at the acts of which the Pacific
coast has just been the theatre, first recapiulang
briefly the causes which in our view have produced
them.
On the Goth of September of the present year, the
Senate and Chamber of Representatives of Nicara
qua ratified the contract for making canal through
the isthmus of this name concluded on the 9th of
August OF the present year, by the Nicaraguan
Commissioners, Seniors ZEpEpA and JUAREs, on the
one part, and the other by Mr.. DAVID L.
WHITE, representing the American company, APP
pointed for this purpose. The presence ola Charge
dAtfaires of the United States in Central America
at that time and the spirit of his mission having
been represented by the press of this country as
hostile to the pretensions of England, left not
doubt that Mr.. SauIER had had an active share in
the ratification of the contract with the American
company.
And here commenced among the English specu-
lators of Central America an extraordinary and
viruent excitement against every thing which bore
the appearance of friendship towards the Ameri-
cans. This sentiment went ON fostering gradually
in proportion as the Governments and people of
Central America, awed until then by English
4 A..
prostration, emboldened by the protective friendship
which Mr.. SoUIER offered them in the name of his
country.
Mr.. CHATFIELD, for long while and still consul
general and diplomatic agent of England in Central
America was the first who gave vent to the resent
ment which animated his countrymen. Like other
British agents and traders that we have named from
time to time-interested in making good the fcti-
tous title of the Mosquito king, whose states have
been obtained by mouthfus of bread, as is com
monty asserted-it was not strange that he should
endeavor to make his own cause and that of his
friends the common cause of England.
These indictments TO the fermentation which
listed in the country ought not to have escaped the
perspicacity of MIR. SoUIER. He ought to have
known that Mr.. CHATFIELD and some of his coun-
trymen had a patrimony of influence Though i'll
acquired) in the country, and material interests
created by heavy commerce and unlimited snug
Cling. The ambition of these usurpers as i'm
mense as the future which they imagined for
the commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by the country in which they held their i'll
acquired lands reserved line of conduct, con-
catory in appearance, but resolute in fact towards
the end proposed appears, under the circumstances,
to have been the rule which Mr. SoUIER ought to
have adopted. But, instead of this, he rushed for
ward with all the ingenuousness OF a raw diploma
tst into road which could not fail 10 lead him
into the mire of his negotiations. We believe We
have defined precisely, on another occasion, the
motives for his course. II was necessary to mani
fest to England that the United States were pre-
pairing not only TO sustain Mr.. MoNRoE's declara-
ton by acceptable means, having regard To the
lativc weakness of the States of Central America,
but also to indicate to her that they capable
England of taking advantage of this weakness
and acquiring liens territoryfor the fuhlment of
contracts. Following this policy, he required, in
his treaties with the government OF Honduras, the
cesson to the United States of Tigre Island in the
Gulf of Canchagua Fonscca, whose situation we
have described; and made evident tho policy which.
in giving an account of these matters on the oath
of last month, we have called the policy Of by
pothecation." We were the first to condemn the
considered by some as unmerited when the press
Of the United States praised the result Of his mis-
sion as a masterpiece Of diplomacy, and as a very
important acquisition for the United States But
already certain presses acknowledge the bad aud
transcendental character Of that cession, not be
cause it may be perpetual, nor because it is limited
to eighteen months but for the pernicious princi-
pie which il involves. The Courier and Enquirer,
after making known briefly Mr.. SaUIER's merits as
an explorer Of antiquities in the United States
merits which caused his friends TO propose him for
an official employment in Central America, in or
der that the interesting discoveries Of the archaioo-
gist STEVENS might there be continucd-uscs the
following language in regard 10 the fitness Of the
new Charge d. Afiaires Of the United States in Cen
trial America:
ellis course has exceedingly surprised those who
were solictous for the success of his nomination
They supposed that his employment in an official
capacity was merely nominal, and that he would
devote his time in Central America chiefly TO his
fayorite investigations. But the contrary has
happened, and we now perceive that he has hurried
into gpecies Of unreasonable diplomatic action
which involves interests OF grave importance that
need sound and calm judgment. We trust that
the negotiation may pass into other hands"
From the moment we knew Of the unfortunate
cession, we anticipated an inevitable rupture, and
we did not fear TO intimate our apprehensions
The English, restrained until then by respect for
the benefcent idea Of opening a new channel be-
tween the two oceans, began 10 give ground on the
Mosquito question: and, in withdrawing, were
ashamed Of their usurpng conduct previous 10 the
Intervention Of the United States, which was clad
with the prestige Of generosity towards the Central
American States, aud Of desire 10 do a great ben
eft to the commerce Of the whole world The Eng
lish press began already 70 be famiiarizcd with the
idea Of it, Government no longer exercising an ex
elusive influence in Central America. In calling
public attention 10 the unusual moderation of It's
articles this subject we indicated that the opinion
Of the English press their foreign policy not
far from submission when il was clothed in the
forms Of a temporzing and urbane language; and
a month had not passed when the London Times
| justified our impression by declaring that "Jord
PALMERsToS was working against the interests Of
Great Britain; that the Mosquito affair could only
have a just and honorable solution by means Of a
pacific arrangement, which would be crcditablc to
Mr.. BULwER ifhe should succeed in cffectng il; and
that the interest that England has in the river Of