Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-16
Sir Henry Bulwer to Mr.. Chat
field.
WASHINGTON, Feb. &c, 1850.

WARRINGTON, Feb. &c, 1850.
DEAR SIR: have received your commu-
nications up 10 the 81 of January inclusive.
| was glad to hear OF your arrangement with
the governor of Honduras; and trust that
you will thus have settled the question of
claims before the order for evacuating Tigre
Island arrives. know that il is difficult 10
deal with such people on matters of Justice,
if you cannot keep before their eyes the uiti
mate argument of force and feel exceed
ingy for your position, with such a gentle
man as Squier making capital at your ell
bow. But pray let me take the liberty Of
suggesting TO you that It is well always 10
consiIer not only what you think should be
done for the particular interest you have in
hand, but what your government, which has
so many interests TO consider, will back you
in doing; since to make step forwards, if
subsequently it is to he made backwards, on
ly renders matters worse. ! would not, also,
let MIR. Squier's misdoings bury you too
much out of the line which you would other-
wise pursue. His conduct is generally dis
approved of here and know that the State
Department has formally Gisapproved of it.
Neither do think that this government
has al the present moment The views you
seem inclined to credit for. Ii is, however,
weak government, and, being suspected
by the popular party, is ever aftaid of SEEM
ing in favor of any policy that is unpopular.
THUS. though its intentions may be trusted,
its course cannot be relied upon. Attempts
are being made to settle the Mosquito bust
ness. think they may succeed they ought
10 do so. We have every wish TO aid in con
structing a canal-that is, in protecting its
construction and guarantying its security
when constructed. Nor have we any great
interest in the Mosquito protectorate, or any
selfish object to serve by maintaining it,
But we ought not, and believe will not,
abandon it dlshonorably, nor permit the Mic
araguans, whom we have expelled therefrom,
to be again masters of the San Juan. These
are my private opinions, but think you may
like TO know them. l have defended your
conduct here as to Tigre island. on the
ground tina, it was provoked by Squier but
it was too go ahead h. L. b.
P. 81 just find that you have thrown out
10 Squier something about treaty of protec-
ton between us and Costa RIGA. Now,
Lord p. has not only denied that he has any
idea Of exercising protectorate over Costa
Rica. but told the United States government
he had refused it. My instructions certainly
forbid me TO encourage any such idea, and
moreover ii would be setting an example
which it would be highly imprudent TO give.
| should tell you, indeed, that both the United
States and ourselves are al present proceed
ing upon the avowed policy that neither will
seek for exclusive influence in Central Amer
lea and while the conduct Of Squier contra
venes aud embnIrasses this policy on one
side, any conduct Of similar kind on your
pant must do SO on the other.
These are merely private hints Of mine to
You, in order to prevent you finding your
position weakened, by doing or promising
what the United States will not do nor APP
prove Of being promised. Pray excuse my
frankness; and wishing you to initiate us,
and write fully TO ms upon all matters,
l am again, dear sir, yours respectfully,
H, LIB.