The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-16
CITY OF WASHINGTON SUNDAY MORNING DECEMBER IS ls4s
From the BOSTON Courier, Dee. IS.
The Tiger leland Affair.

From the Boston Courier, Dee. i3
The Tiger Island AFFAIR.
The newspapers hays n0w fine chance TO get them
selves into 2 terrible tactoraons The British have
state Of excitement" with high handed outrages tearing
down flags, and the like. What is passion but wild
beastl twill not be for lack OF potent patriotism. or
indignation from The all powerful press does not succeed
in getting Brother Jonathans back up this time Tiger
tall in the Florida war did not scratch hard upon the
perperated BY the British at Tiger island is likely to do
that is, II we may believe the whole story.
But il quite important in this affair to inquire how
much Of the story likely to be rue before we make
hanging matter OF It, As yet we have only imperfect
accounts hastily despatched from the spothalf story,
and that probably told in distorted manner. Before we
spy speck OF war in this business, we deem it necessary
to know first that Tiger island is actually ours and next
that the British have actually taken it from II is I'M
fortunate that the public have hitherto been kept quite in
Ignorance Of The designs Of our cabinet with regard to
confidence of e public functonares at Washington
prepared for he Information that adplenac agent OF the
United States had negotiated with foreign power for the
annexation of new territory to the Union. Mr. Squer
minister or diplomatic representative in that quarter,
short time since made arrangements with the Central
American government Of Honduras for the cession OF II
ger island TO the United States This has
been before the public for weeks, and from the fact
that has remained uncontradcted by the government
is presumed TO be true Tiger island lies in the mouth
of the gulf OF Amapaa FOnseca, the Pacific, and
would be an important place in the event OF canal be-
ing constructed between that ocean and the lake OF Nj
caragua The acquisition OF new territory by the United
States, at distance from hOme and lying IN close
nexion with that Of foreign nation, is entirely novel
phase in external policy. How the system thus
entered upon will require to be carried out question
that presents many delicate points for consideration The
theme is fruitful and interesting one, but refrain
from entering upon it at present and in the meantime
trust that both the American and British governments
will Immediately explain to the public how far their
agents have been authorized to do as they have done.
The territory OF Central America has for many years
attracted the attention OF foreign powers--the United.
States among ohersin reference to the project of ca
nal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific AS the
natives of the country from their soth poverty and de-
fectve regarded unable to effect this
great enterprise themselves, il considered proper
case for the interference of other nations the prnci
pie that the matter concerned the welfare OF the whole
world The British government despatched agent to
Central America in 1925, to make inquiries respecting
the state Of the country with view to this object;
and in the same year the Central American govern
ment commissioned an envoy extraordinary to pro.
the special attention OF the United States government
to the project OF the canal and requested the coop
Grafton OF the American people in the enterprise Il
strongly urged upon tae caDne ~ ana en,
the advantages of the canal both nations. Our gov
eminent proceeded cautiously in the matter, and charge
daaires was appointed who specially instructed 10
assure the government OF Central America of the deep in
terest taken by the United States in the execution of
design highly calculated TO diuse an extensive in
fuence in the affairs OF mankind ms agent was d.;
constructing the canal and 10 report all the information
which could be obtained TO the government OF the United
States Notwithstanding these preparations, very little
appears to have been done in making inquiries the
spot
s ala Of the Of a the United ss:
in procuring the construction OF ship channel or nav
gable canal across the ishmus between North and South
America" Nothing was done by Congress, but an asso-
citation was formed in New York under the name OF the
Centra American and United States Atlantic and Pacific
Canal Company" An agent OF the company was sent TO
Guatemala and executed contract with the Central
American government for making canal, but the pro.
ec ultimately miscarried. Another society for the
purpose shortly afterwards formed in Holland under
the special patronage OF the King, who appropriated TO
the undertaking large amount Of his private fortune,
and treaty was made with the Central American gov
eminent carry out the scheme, but the whole design
was defeated BY the Belgian revolution Of 1880. .s
and on The Sd OF March in that year resolution passed
the Senate that the President be requested 10 consider
the expedency Of opening negotiations with the govern
mens OF Central America and New Grenada, for the pur
pose OF efectuay protecting by suitable treaty spua-
tons with them, such individuals or companies as may
undertake 10 open communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans by the construction OF ship canal
across the sihmus which connects North and South
America, and of securing forever by such stpulaions
the free equal right OF navigating such canal 10 all
TONS" SC BY virtue of this resolution Gen. Jackson APP
pointed special agent, who was instructed TO proceed to
Central America and explore the route OF the proposed ca
borhood He was also instructed TO collect all documents
connected with this subject which could be procured and
also TO extend his journey and researches TO Panama for
information relative to any possible connexion between the
two oceans in that quarter This agent died abroad and
his reports reached home in an imperfect state. The
scheme laid by for that me but continued TO occupy
the thoughts Of private individuals, and another
pany was formed in the United States prosecute this
attempt New negotiations were opened with the Central
American Authorities, which have led 10 the proceedings
recently detailed in the newspapers We have little fear
thai this matter will seriously embroil the British and
American governments. The claim of the former to any
part OF the soil in question be supported upon any
clear or usfable grounds Perhaps the agents OF both
cabinets have been hasy in their transacuons II is
certain that Mr. Squers proceedings will be subjected TO
rigid investigation in the Senate before they are sane
toned by the treaty-making power. ea aew ~
The Nicaragua Question. WI
The following additional remarks Of the London Times
on this subject which appear the paper Of the 2lst ut
are deserving of attention:
We have already entered at considerable length upon
the views taken by the British government rather by