The New York herald., 1850-02-19


portion Of this great Western continent, now only
few years old, comparatively, is destined at not
very remote day-and much earlier than may be
anticipated generallyto fill the eyes Of nations
with extraordinary series of "dlssoving views, I"
all of which will be of an interesting and startling
character. The commercial world Is just begin
ming to perceive the importance Of hundreds of
ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts Of South
America; it anticipates their growth, and would
shield them with kind Of protection by which 1t
may be made, in some measure, the arbi.er Of
their fate.
On the Pacific side, we have recently witnessed
the attempt, by an ill-instructed Charge of the
British government, to appropriate a very COM
manding and important position, for the benefit os
Her Most Gracious Majesty, Victoria-an attempt
at once rebuked by the conduct of Rear. Admiral
Hornby, who, far more educated In the relation
ship of states than the special agent of the crown
ministers, saw the wisdom Of striking the cross of
ST. George, and of again running up, under the
proper salute, the outraged flag of Honduras The
promputude of the restitution miugates the charac-
ter Of the insult; but not certain that the
shadows hanging about the present give US the
hope of sunshine for the future, in the neighbor-
hood Of Tigre Island. We have too Little conf
dence in Secretary of State. TO feel that assur
ance with respect TO the final settlement OF the
Nicaragua treaty which We desire to enjoy. There
has been an unwonted remissness upon the part Of
the government with respect to their own agent,
Mr.. Squier. They have failed to place at his COM
mand the 'means and appliances" requisite for
the successful termination Of his mission; and
though with admirable sagacity he himself has con-
Quoted the battle singe-handed, and, up TO
the last accounts, had caused an evacuation OF the
island go urceremoniously possessed by the evil
genus of Mr.. Chatfeld, yet he was still subjected
TO threats-Mr. Chatield having avowed that he
would be 'rlghted" at one hazard or another.
That he will be so, he may be assured. MIR. Chat
fields course has been sustained to a certain point
by the British.press-while Mr.. Squier's, t the
H,,ah unmasked the whole affair, was not even
looked upon with sympathy. The British press
have used soft words IN the business, and have
ined to represent the matter trivial altogether,
while we know tina, they look upon our couatry's
relations with the South American States, in a
mood of mind possessed by the strongest possible
envy and jealousy 1t is natural that they should.
There is not more important point in the whole
geographical position OF countries, than that in the
vicinity Of Lake Nicaragua; and single bunder
in our diplomatic may lead eventually to se-
rious disturbances arising from the extension Of
our commerce Ia the Pacific. Il is this very inn
porance that excites interest as TO the nature of
the treaty between the United States and Great
Bntain-thSt interest being widened, at the same
time, by the no,oriousy inefficient character Of Mr..
Clayton. The utmost caution, aud the silcnce of
the President. are So FAR from being satisfactory,
that they create fsars-lears that the treaty is OF
tina, supercihous character which the Ultimate im-
poriGnoe OF the field under negotiaiion will brand
rs unworthy OF this natisn and the demands Of it,
people. Similar mistakes have been made by US
before. and are, therefore, the more anxious on
thls matter. We are afraid that Mr.. Clayton will
dine with the British minister too often. Sbarsers
are notorious fcr inviting their victims to duner-
and many a has practically worked out the
sdsge. "Dine with thy enemy, and eat thy supper
In sorrow."
Ca the Atlantic coast Of South America we are
10 have something soon Of an attractive character.
The French have had long debate, as our readers
have been informed already, upon proceeding
sctirsi Rosss; and France has determined To es-
thlifh sohdly her power IN Munteyldso, not only
Tor the protection Vt her own people, but To sup.
port Brazil and 10 extend her commerce through
oat that region. The appearance Of a French
expedition there viii give new interest To the
whole scene, and there vii be evolved tom It the
interfering elements of spanish power, and ,ossl-
tiy the not a.tcct ther remote acon Of Great Br-
tam and 81 our country, even. Depsnd upon ".
South America is 20 be walked up. La Plata will
yet be IN commotion.
TnE Mar EuRoFxAN Nsws win be brought By
the steamship America She wIil be due o-mO.-