The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-28


HIS DEPARTURE FROM ESoLANp-THE SPIRIT OF HIS
INsTRucTIoNs-THE NIcARAGUAN AND CANADIAN
QUESTIONS.
From the European Tines, Nou. TO-
The new envoy to the United States, Sir Henry
Bulwcr has sailed from Portsmouth in the Hecate
seam-sloop, for the of his diplomatic labors.
That Sir Henry is able and accomplished man
admits OF no doubt, Notwithstanding the unfortu-
nate termination OF his labors at the court of Ma
drid. He Is favorite with the present head of the
foreign office, and Lord Palmerston has we think,
exercised sound discretion in the appointment.
Hampshire paper processes to know the spirit Of
Sir Henry Bulwers instructions. Our contempt
rary states that he Is to resist all attempts sat in
reference the part of the United States in the
affairs Of Nicaragua We have no doubt that he
will interfere and we hope successfully, in allay
ing the angry passions that have grown out Of a
question which has for its object the promotion of
the commerce of the world. The gigantic scheme
of uniting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is one in
which England and the United States, and indeed,
every maritime power have an interest far supe
rior to the jealousy of rival spectators, or the
squabbles of two petty States. The little republic
OF Nicaragua claims, our readers are aware, in OPP
position to the king of Mosquito, the mouth of the
river st. Juan the Atlantic, which joins the lake
of Nicaragua. This point is generally regarded
as the most convenient and least expensive for cut
ting ship canal to the Pacific An American
company has been formed for this purpose, which
has received the countenance and support OF the
Nicaraguans, while our consul at Guatemala, on
the faith of some old treaties with the Mosquito In
dians, has put in claim on behalf of the king OF
the latter An affair trivial in itself has thus be-
come a matter of Importance, from the gigantic
enterprise which is now projected; and to the par
ties willing to advance the necessary sum for tho
completion of the undertaking, the validity of the
title is, of course, question of small considera
ton In all subjects of disputed territory, much
can generally be advanced on both sides; but to
make such small bone OF contention in Central
America contest OF principle between monarchy
and republicansm, is, indeed, the reductio ad a6-
slzdnm Sir Henry BtI,Der, apprehend, toH be
empowered to settle the nsu,der standing ON any terms
that may appear the best calculated to carry out the
junction Of the t,oo oceansa scheme which will re-
quire great energy and an enormous outlay The
projectors of such undertaking are entitled to
receive from every civilized government all the aid
and assistance which be legtimatey given,
and this, we sure, Sir Henry is prepared on be-
half of this country to extend, irrespective of all
rival claims.
The same authority intimates that Sir Henry is
empowered to ascertain iohdt encouragement the
United States Government ioH give to the annexation
Of Canada. The inference u.s. that the home govern
ne ,ciH not interfere toih the tcistes Of the coonists
ON his point Last week we inclined to the belief
that the Canadians were all but unanimous in de-
string annexation with the neighboring Republic.
The intelligence brought by the Caledonia this
week shows that the feeling is by no means general,
and that not merely the inhabitants of Upper Cana
d. but the French habitdns in the lower province,
are opposed to the severance of the British con-
nexion. Public feeling in the mother country is
inclined to act literally with the colonists. If a
generally expressed desire for annexation with the
United States were made, il would be conceded,
but to secure this unanimity is indispensable. The
fact OF Lord Elgin having removed the seat of gov
eminent from Montreal to Toronto, shows the ex-
tent OF his unpopularity in the lower province
amongst the British race; and we shall see, in all
probability, strong contest between the inhabit-
ants OF the two provinces on the question which
threatens to convulse the colony. The step which
the Canadians have taken cannot fail to pro-
duce important results at home The present man
agement of the colonial office is admitted, on all
hands, to be defective; and the concentration of
public opinion on the subject will demand reforms
that ought Ion since to have been complied with.
One or two simple remedies, if acted upon in a lib
eral and sympathizing spirit, could not fail to
move many of the grievances which sting expatri-
ated Englishmen. Foremost may be mentioned
the introduction TO the British Parliament of colo
NAL representatives. The machinery of the Colo
NAL Office is VIGOROUSLY incapable of meeting the
requirements of the case. Cries of dissatisfaction
reach our almost daily from all parts of the
world provoked by the incompetency OF the par
ties who are sent out as representatives Of the
crown, and whose errors and foles almost invaria-
bly, lind an apologist in the chief of the colonial
oiflce Lord Grey's administration has been more
productive OF complaints than any of his predc
cessors; but the fault is rather in the system than
the man. Those who filled the post before him
embrace Of the best practical statesmen of
the day, but they all retired from the colonial Office
with regulations more or less damaged. The ex-
listing condition OF Canada shows the extent OF tho
laundering, and the consequences TO which il will
unquestonably lead Sat. rerb.
Before laying down our pen, we cannot avoid
referring to matter personal TO Sir Henry Bulwer.
The Hecate steam-s loop, which conveys him across
the Atlantic, possesses, doubt very comfortable
quarters. So do the splendid vessels which ply be-
tween this port and America. The steamers which
convey her majesty's mails ought 10 be considered
good enough TO convey her majesty's representa-
tive Some Of the most scandalous items Of ex-
m NJ
country are to be found in the expenses incurred
by the members Of the diplomatic body. With the
crying necessity for financial reform which now
prevails, the outlay involved in the tino out of the
Hccate 20 take Sir Henry Buwer and his nephew
| to New York is a shameful well a superfiuous
piece OF extravaganza. IL any principle we're in
volved in IL, could submit TO the outlay with
grace; but the late amcnted Lord Metcalfe one Of
the ablest and most respected representatives that
the crown ever possessed in either hemisphere, did
not think that he compromised its dignity by takng
his passage TO America in of the ordinary
steamers; and IL will hardly be contended that on
the score Of rank official station the late COVER
nor general of Canada was beneath the new repre-
sentative TO Washington.
The Arctic ExPEDITIoS-RgTURS OF Sin JAMES
Ross.-It will be seen that the Enterprise and In
vestigator arrived of Scarborough on Saturday
last, having been knoc king about between the Ork
neys and that place for several days. Captain Sir
James Ross arrived at the admiralty on Monday
and had interviews with the board. The gallant
ofhccr appeared rather the worse for his perious
voyage, but animated with his Characteristic
energy. We understand that IL il his confident
opinion that neither Sir Johh Franklin nor any Of
his brave companions are eastward ofany navigable
point in the arctic regions, and If there be any
chance Of their existence IL is in the supposton that
he proceeded in a westerly direction, and in such
case we can only expect 10 hear from the missing
adventures by tho Mackenzie detachment, or by
her maJesty's ship Plover, Commander Moore, or
by way Of Russia. Sir James traversed at least
two hundred and thirty miles the ice, the bergs
OF which were frightful, much more so than any Of
the experienced arctic voyagers had seen before.
Sir James and his party penetrated far the
wreck of the fury, where he found the old tent
standing, and every thing about il a state of the
best preservation. At this point Sir James dcpos-
tied large quantity Of provisions, and also the
screw launch Of the Enterprise. The march Of Sir
James across the boundless regions Of ice is truly
stated as a most unparalleled feat in exploration.
We arc sorry 10 find, however, that il was in no
way successful. The captain, officers, and ships
company, have worked together most harmonious.
ly-a spirit Of emulation having animated every
ono in the great phiantbropic task Of endeavoring
10 carry help and succor TO their long lost friends
In the whole Of his researches il is said Sir
James Ross never met with a single Esquimaux.
Sir James speaks most highly Of ali those who have
boon connected and disseminated with him Ia