The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-18
Hqae nlearagun Quostion.

The Washington correspondent Of the New Yorl
Commercial Advertiser says that President Taylol
viii appeal to the Senate for its opinion ON the
grave controversy which now exists with Grea
Britain, relative TO the affair Of Nicaragua" II
: make such an appeal effective for any good, il
ought to be accompanied by distinct proposition
in regard 70 a specific phn upoa which the advice
cf the Senate is asked. Merely to pfesentthe facts
Of an international difficulty, for the decision of the
Senate Of what ought to be the duty of the Presi-
dent would be an abnegation Of executive duty,
which is not be expected. If the President con-
suits the Senate it will be on the eypedency of
some definite line of conduct, which he will point
out for their consideration. In the of the Ore
gon treaty Mr.. Polk submitted the terms of the
treaty after it was made for the advice of the SEN
ate, whether he should accept or reject them init
mating distinctly, that he would, if unadvised to
the contrary, reject them. We remember that he
was censured very strongly for even thus much
waving Executive responsibility to the control
Of the Senate, but we believe he was defended, as
having the example of the earliest President
The Nicaragua question, is without doubt, one of
grave difficulties, Notwithstanding the off-hand way
in which the letter-writers assure the public that
all will be speedily settled. The controversies
about Tigre Island, and the acts of both Chat6eld
and Squier, may probably be settled without much
trouble in spirit of amicable disavowal of what
ever has been rash or offensive in the conduct or
language Of these agents We suppose Great Bri-
tain willing to withdraw her pretensions to the
Island conceding that the SEIZURE at time when it
had construetvely at least passed into the posses
sion Of the United States was not an act sufficient
ly courteous towards friendly nation. We think
it not unlikely, too, that Mr.. Squier may be disa
vowed on points Of eccentric diplomacy, as
having gone beyond the instructions and wishes of
his government. These things out of the way,
there is in all probability mutual desire to arrange
the Canal question terms which shall deprive
the contemplated work Of all traits of monopoly in
favor Of either party and open it to the unrestricted
commerce Of all nations. With great care and re-
ciprocal moderation these points of difficulty NAV
be solved and the question between the two nations
carried back thus far But here interposes the great
difficulty which will embarrass the British govern
ment. 1t has assumed and declared authoritatively
the want of sovereign right in Nicaragua over the |
territory the Gulf Coast essential to the compile
ton of the Canal, and it has asserted with equal
positiveness the sovereignty Of another power viz
the King Of the Mosquitoes, That sovereignty,
the Central States concerned deny in the most un-
terms. The United States can never
recognise it, in any form, directly or indirectly A
convention of those parties take part without
4 retraction from Great Britain on her side, or an
by the other powers which shall
practically dismember Nicaragua and acknowledge
he Indian sovereignty.
The difficulties are therefore much greater than
the public seems to understand, in expecting a
ready solution by the agreement Of thegovernments
concerned in relation to the freedom of the Canal.
There are points involved, of international impor-
lance, which, we apprehend, may cause more en-
oarrassment than the practical details of Canal
Convention.