The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-03
From the ". o. Picay'ins.

A short time a GO we made some renlar ks concern
ing project which was foreshadowed III the TRAIT
d. Union of the city of Mexico. That project, as
our readers may remember, was thing less than
the armed intervention of Great Britain in the affairs
of Yucatan for the purpose of effecting the pacih-
cation of that peninsula, in consideration OF which
portion of its territory was to be ceded to the pa,
cificator. At the time wrote the article alluded
to- this notable scheme was not publicly developed;
it was merely limited at an event of probable oc-
currence. We are now, however, convinced OF the
correctness of the statements made by the TRAIT
d. Union, and of the opportuneness OF It's warnings
to our Government What was then but surmse
is now certainty if any reliance is to be placed on
the information received by way of Havana yester-
day. and published in last evenings edition.
Coming from source different from that through
which we derived first knowledge of the affair,
we are the more inclined to give credence to this
latter news especially as it accords IN every par
ticular with that previously received. There can
now be no doubt that the plan of the British Gov
ernment to extend it's influence over the peninsula
has approached contamination, as Tar as-depends
on the contracting parties Mexico, 1t appears Is
perfectly willing to enter into the arrangement;
though the people of Yucatan, who have already
suffered from the Vaccinations Of the English, are
bitterly opposed to it. But their opposition, just
though it may be, will not be taken into considera
ton England is determined to obtain possession
of the port of Bacalar and, in order to achieve that
object she will of maintain the right OF the
Mexican Government to transfer to another power
any portion of the territory over which 1t claims
lated that tract of country shall be ceded for the
residence of the indigenous population, where they
can govern themselves independently OF their white
neiehbors OF course this quasi independence will
be a real dependence Great Britain, which
power will assume the protection of the Indians and
the direction of their affairs in return for It's sue
cessful efforts to end the war.
The coast of the Bacalar district, situated on the
east or lower side of the peninsula stretches along
the gulf till il touches the territory OF the Belize
settlement. Following the coast towards the south,
we next come To Honduras, the southern portion oi
which constitutes the famous kingdom OF Mosqui-
to- The boundaries of this country are not very
well defined, and the arts OF diplomacy, backed by
the naval power of England, could easily extend
them as far north as the Belize. In such an event.
the whole coast Of the continent, from Mexico to
the Isthmus of Panama, would be transferred TO
power hostile to our interests, and even now taking
every means to prevent the accomplishment, by
American citizens, of a communication between
the two oceans. England, in attaining her object,
would command every point Of transit except that
of Panama, and every feasible route OF canal com
munication Viewed in this light, the British in
Prevention in Yucatan becomes to us a question OF
serious and even vital importance. That canal
connecting the waters of the Atlantic with those Of
the Pacific must be dug at no distant day, Is nov
universally admitted. Through that channel WI
oass the immense commerce with the East and
West which at present is directed round Cape Horn
and the Cape of Good Hope, and which will Their
be vastly augmented by the increased facilities o.
transportation The outlet for such a trade should
be free to the world and to preserve it 50 should b,
our mission. We cannot, therefore, overlook tn,
recent occurrences in Yucatan, allow the British
to carry out their project unopposed. To do Sc
would be to prove recreant to our high trust, ano
20 deliver into the hands OF our only commercial
rival an agent which will nfalibly force US into a
subordinate position in the world of commerce
Against such course as apathy or indifference OF
th,. part of the United States Government, In TIM
scheme of British intervention, we think the Anne
rican people would be justiiable in entering mos
energetic protest.