The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-14
From the London Times Of Nov. 2lst.


We have already entered at considerable length
upon the views taken by the British government,
rather by Lord Palmerston, with reference to the
rights Of the State of Nicaragua and the indepen-
donce of the Mosquito coast. But though Lord Pal
merston has expressed his opinion on the subject
with great decision, and has distinctly intimated
that cher majcsty's government must support and
maintain the right of the King Of Mosquito 10 the
port of St. Johns" have not yet arrived at the
same clear and peremptory conviction the subject
the foreign minister; and we shall be glad to
learn by what additional evidence and by what rea
sonng he intends to support the position to which
he has pledged the honor of the government of this
country Lord Palmerston has so often exhibited
10 the world prediction for inaccurate state
ments and untenable arguments, that we not
disposed to accept his decision point of this i'm
portance without fuller consideration; for the in
terest he may suppose to have in the river of San
Juan dc Nicaragua is UNNECESSARILY surpassed by
the interest Of remaining at peace with the United
States, by lending assistance and encourage
ment TO the project Of the canal.
IL will be remembered that the case put forward
by Mr.. Chatfield, and adopted by Lord Palmerston,
as the basis of the rights of the Mosquito tribe of
Indians to the coast which bears their name and the
session. and secondly, the sovereignty they have
exercised for at least two centuries under the pro-
tectorate OF this country. 1t is undoubtedly true
that these relations had long existed between the
British authorities i'm the West Indies and the ma
tives of the coast, which traders repaired for
the purpose of cutting dyewoods and mahogany.
These relations gave great umbrage to Spain, and
had, indeed at one time contributed TO actual war
between the two crowns.
Ii cannot, however, have escaped Lord Palmer
ston's notice, (ior the instrument expressly
quoted by the Nicaraghan minister,) that in 1855 a
treaty was concluded between Spain and Great
Britain of which the first article runs as follows
"The subjects of his Britannia majesty and the other
settlers toho hare tai enjoyed The protection Of
England, shall eracudte the country Of the Mosqn-
toes, and the continent in general and the adjacent
isles. without execution. situated beyOnd the from
tier line OF the territory granted by his Catholic
jcsty TO the English" &C.
That territory the settlement of Blcize or
British Honduras, coded TO this country by the 3D.
article of the same convention. II does appear,
therefore, that the evacuation of the Mosquito coast
by those who had enjoyed the protection of England
the equivalent obtained by Spain for the ccssion
of Belize; and we hope Lord Palmerston will inform
the world before this discussion proceeds further,
in what light he regards that treaty; for il is clear
that whatever rights Spain had on that coast have
passed to the central American republics, and that
additional protcctorate il once relinquished, has
not been renewed.
On this Nicaraguan question, therefore, the min
lister is bound to produce far more cogcnt evidence
than he has yet adduced for the necessity and jus.
tice Of his interference; and whatever reliance he
may place the qualities of bluster and assurance,
those weapons in which it is not easy TO surpass
such antagonists as the politicians Of the United
States when they find il their interest TO rouse the
passions prejudces of their democratic constitu-
We foresee, therefore, that the tone in which Sir
Henry Bulwer will enter upon his duties and this
negotiation in Washington, will not be the same in
which MIR Chatfield addressed the Nicaraguan gov
eminent; and, after having advanced with extrav-
agant eagerness certain propositions which rest, at
most, ON debatable authority, Lerd Palmerston
will probably reconsider the question
II would be TO the last degree absurd and disgrace
full if the iniudicious proceedings of few wrong
headed individuals could hatch serious quarrel out
Of a matter in which the interests Of England, of
the United States, and Of all the world, ident
cally the same. n the canal of Nicaragua can be
established, SO much the better for all mankind. If
il be opened, the complete and perpetual neutrality
OF go important passage ought TO be placed beyond
the hazards of war; and for that purpose the line of
communication ought TO be in the hands not Of great
belgcrent powers, but of n small State, whose hide
pcndencc and prosperity should be inseparably
united To the freedom of this communication, and
guaranteed and respected by all powers The sub
Jet Is which admits of no Just settlement but
by reasonable and pacific arrangement, and IL will
be creditabc to Sir Henry Bulwer if he effects it,
But though this is the only object which ra
tiopal and conscientious statesman can have in
view, are well aware that such questions as
these wont 20 be turned in the United States
other purposes, and 20 be governed by different
motives To revive the declining popularity Of q