Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-11-03
Saturday Morning, November Sd, 1S49,

The Opposition Press on HE MoSq'Gto Question,
The Locofoco Journals are evidently at a loss how
they shall treat the Mosquito Question. Some, as
the Charleston Mercury, for example, taking 1t for
granted that the ads,aistraon had made up issue
with Great Britain which might lead to serious
issue, raised their voices in high condemnation,
averring that the United States Government has no
business to espouse the cause of private company
which wants TO make canal across the Nicaragua
lsthmus. Nothing but the most wretched manage
nent, they said could have brought about so unne-
ccssary quarrel. Other organs of the opposition,
quite as hasty in taking their cue, upon learning
that Mr. Squer was not specially charged to tell
the Government of Nicaragua that the United States
would maintain the Monroe declaration against
Great Britain if she pretended to interfere with the
territorial claims of one of the American Republics
protested that Gen. Taylor, in this Nicaragua mat
ter. had ignobly abandoned the Monroe doctrine and
thus sacrificed the honour of the country. But each
class of directors have found themselves speaking
deplorably TOO fast 1t is now known that there is
not the smallest probability of war with England
so that the complaints of awkward Encouragement
without any foundation And then the aScep-
ton, taken on the score Of The Monroe declaration,
is scotched beyond the possibility Of budging an
inch, by The fact, that the inerferenee Of Great Br-
tain withshe Republic Of Nicaragua, in setting up
the Mosquito King began at the veyy etof Mr..
Polk term, aid was carried 10 itsxa6st obnoxious
extent blythe forcbe seizure Of the town Of San Jua.
while he was in the full tide Of his presidential ca
rser. Gen. Taylor, therefore, who was never cosi~
mitted 10 the maintenance Of the Monroe doctrine,
might deem Unnecessary apply It to the Nica-
ragua case and he would have the full sanction Of
the example Of Mr.. Polk, who did commit himself
TO ms Maintenance in his very first message, and thai
some months after the Mosquito coronation
The Washington Union, we have seen, per-
ceiyng the awkwardness of assailing Gen Taylor
foromitnng to do in eight months what Mr.. Polk
left andone for soar years. made floundering effort
al diversion byrepreseniing that Mr. Folks charge
Mr. Hise, Though unnstructed,) got contract for
the exclusive navigation of the canal which was to
be he all powerful weapon in our hands to uphold
the Monroe declaration. Mr.. Folks term, il seems
was wholly occupied with the procuring this
weapon, and he left to his predecessor the pleasant
task of thrusting itat Great Britain The idea OF
resisting foreign interference on this continent by
buying up the right to dig and navigate a canal,
was 50 absurd tlsaf even the Onion could not have
been expected 70 hold fast TO it; and. accordngly
find in that paper the following curious notice of
sthe recent intimaton that there is likely TO be no
disagreement at all between the United States and
Great Britain ON the subject;
The state othe Mosquito QUESTION is still covered with
myslery We know not exactly what our Secretary has
" asmngton, aud the New York Courier, which now
all difficulty between the unisS ~ Brian
may be obviated by throwing ii ssssspc
canal, freely, to tia vessels ard ~ III aasss
word, TO the whole world BE NsaTcfiy
iraitias, iR the SpETt ~ the age So Il s Sse ocean
&c canal ,chen finished fhs ,ekse ,oof5d vet itwod
scarcely become recognise the territorial pretensons
OF Great Britain by making her party arrangements
with the government OF Nicaragua"
Perfectly willing in the spirit of the ace, to throw
open the Oceanic canal, when finished to the whole
worlds" Are you, indeed? What then becomes of
Mr.. Polk weapon with which he was 10 enforce
the Monroe doctrine He proposed TO maintain it,
you told us, neither by making war nor by making
protest, but by bargain for the exclusive naviea-
ton; and you would now carry out his policy by
letting all the world into the canal-atier is I'm
lshed, The Democratic notion of supporting Mr.
4dohoe lahious prlhclple Is, therefore, narrowed
down to scheme of holding in our hands con-
tract for the sole enjoyment of canal, with the
avowed intention of giving up the privilege, as soon
as the canal is fit for use Hear this, We European
monarchs Set your foot on American soil, if YOU
dare, and the United States will make a canal for
their own benefit, and never ship of yours shall
enter it, u'na a is opened. Who can suppose that
Great Britain, or any other monarchy, would not
cover before such illumination?