The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-19

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The London Times of the I'd of Novem-
Der contains an article on the position of
Lord PALMERsToN and his agents in Cen
trail America, binding the British govern
ment in the most precise. and formal
manner to defend the Mosquitian territory
from the claim of Nicaragua, and to main
tain the right of the Mosquito king to the
coast as far as Greytown, on the southern
mouth of the river San Juan. While it
declines to express its own judgment as
to the accuracy of Lord PALMERsToN's
opinion, in point of history and interna-
tional law, the Times feels that the pro-
tectorate of Mosquito cannot now be aban-
doned, without positive discredit to the
British crown" This is tantamount to an
admission that Lord PALMERsToN has
made mistake, which is feebly qualified
by the suggestion that the British crown
cannot correct an error without discredit.
But Lord PALMERsToN does not receive
the implied rebuke of the Times, for his
opinion on the historical and legal view of
the Mosquito question alone. That jour
nal conceives that Nicaragua has acquired
a position which il i, most unwise to treat
with violence and contumely, by virtue of
its relations TO the United States-having
succeeded in enlistiDg on their side the
popular passions of the people of the
United States, and obtained the direct
sanction of the Cabinet of Washington
{ by its accredited agent Mr.. SaUIERs.
"It is therefore seriously to be regretted, !"
adds the Times, "that Mr.. CHATFIELD,
the British consul at Leon in Guatemala,
should have been instructed to employ
the extraordinary and offensive language
which we find in his correspondence, at
the very moment when the Envoy of the
United States was endeavoring to gain
over the Nicaraguan government by the
warmest assurances of friendship"
"The moment was ill-chosen for Mr.
CHATFIELD to talk of chastisement,
when no actual offence had been COM
mitted although the European Powers
may well protest, as they always have
protested, against this revival of Mr..
MoNRoE's exclusive theory Of American
independence"
With regard to the execution Of the Nj
caragua canal by the New York company,
if that were the only question at stake,
the Times thinks il might be easily re-
solved, for the Mosquito government would
readily participate in a concession or grant
so favorable to its own prospects. But it
thinks this scheme by no means ripe for
execution, and does not see where the
four millions or eight millions of pounds
are TO come from that will be necessary
for its completion. The existence of a
canal it considers of paramount importance
and interest to the world--to which the
great obstacle is, the want of money.
"There can be no doubt, however," it
adds in conclusion, /" that the protectorate
of Mosquito must be sustained by Eng
land, as that of Otaheite has been by
France, even at the risk of an encum-
brance and other embarrassments. We
have recognised the authority of that In
dian sovereign, and we have defined his
territory; but if that part Of the globe
ever becomes the scene of commercial
activity, our interests there will be bet
Ter consulted by pacific and concilia-
tory demeanor, than by acts and language