The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-10

he appears both prosecutor and judge; he alone
assumes 10 hx the amount OF the demands, and for
the State, perhaps without fault Of the government
or it's subalterns, claims large amounts, with the
object, il would seem, Of imposing on the State
debt which it cannot pay, and then making il a
pretext for attempts on its territories.
In the note directed TO this ministry by Mr.. Chat
field, in October last he proposed that the Govern
ment of Honduras should send commissioner 10
Guatemala in the present month, to arrange the
reclamations in question, which proposition was
accepted notwithstanding that is dscreditabc for
government 10 be obliged 10 follow after and find
out its creditors in order TO adjust their claims
claims perhaps destitute OF any foundation in JUS
tice. But my government was actuated by an anx-
iouA desire of putting end to these disputes and
If the commissioner named did not proceed to Qua
temala II was because il positively known that
Mr.. Chatfield was not there, nor soon expected.
Mr.. Jauregui was unable TO bind the Govern
ment of this State in the convention of which you
have forwarded a copy, because he had neither
thority instructions for any such arrangement;
and my government was, and is, in no way further
compromised than to send commissioner to Qua
tenaa, as already agreed with Mr.. Chatfeld
am, Sir Admiral unable to understand with what
right reason is dictated TO Honduras the oppro-
brious and unjust condition that il shall not exer-
else its sovereign rights of property over its own
territories; for, in reference to British Dues in no
way has the exigency arisen for attacking the
sovereignty of Honduras, most especially this
government has always been willing to recognise
and pay all Legitimate claims against it. (Ses n,
beiotD.)
The Island of Tigre, which you threaten to occu-
py, has been temporarily coded TO the United States
Of North America, and, whatever attempt is made
against it, will be an offence against the rights
quired by that Republic.
1t is not without surprise that my government
finds in your note the statement that '.in the be-
lief that the convention celebrated at San Jose
would he accepted and ratified, the above named
island was restored to Honduras" For the resto-
ration the island took Mace before the said
vention was arranged, and in consequence, as you
say yo, order Of evacuation, of your wholly
disappearing of the conduct of Mr.. Chatield in
seizing it. (Ses b.
no arbitrary act, but is made in accordance with
the laws of the country and for the that he
has taken notable part in the revolution recently
attempted in this State.
sufficiently authorized to arrange the claims which
occupy US, because it enertans full confidence that
you will proceed with justice and equity
have, &C., &C., &C.,
(A) This paragraph alludcs to the article of the
Chatfed and Jauregui convention, which prohibits
Honduras from disposng of any portions Of her ter
ritory without the consent of England.
(B) This is q notable eQuivocation of the British
admiral His orders for the disoccupaton of the
Tgre were given within too hours after the news
reached him at Calao, and before Jauregui and Chat
field met at all, His order of disoccupation was in
these words:
"Phpps Horribly, admiral of the British navy
Knight of the Order of Bath, commander in chief
of the British naval forces in these seas having dis
approved of the occupation of the Island of Tigre
by order of the Charge Affaires of H. B. M, &c. -,
restoration
So prompt was the Admiral, that he would not
allow the "Gorgpn" to take in water before return
ing and formally surrendering the island.