Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-19

Unco tnem, outwelgnlng Dene-
its which that country could possibly have enjoyed from in
eFpospg impedments the admission Of our vessels
their cargoes This indeed seems to have been the convc
ton Of the Central American Government ITSELF long
existed You will notice that the treaty was to last twelve
years from the date Of the exchange Of the atcaon and
that did not contain the clause which has since been intro
duced into many OF treaties providing for its continuance.
In consequences Of this in 1885, shortly previous the eIp
ration Of the treaty, Mr. De Witt the charge daares Of
the United States at Guatemala and instruct
ed it. The treaty was accordingly signed on
the i4th July 1888. II contained stipulation that the
afcatons to be exchanged in this city within eight
months from It's date Mr.. De Witt, having received leave
of absence from his post Quilted that country before the
treaty had been acted upon by the Government Of Central
America and when he reached the United States bringing
the treaty with him. the period limited for the exchange Of
the ra6cations had expired In consequence Of this the
treaty did not go into operation Mr. De Witt died soon after
his return home and him charge daaes
Of the United States to Central America appointed In
the summer OF 1889, however, Mr. j. L. Stephens
special agent Of this Government that country for the
purpose IN part OF proposing to the Central American Gov
encnt that he raiihcaons Of the treaty should be exchang
ed Notwithstanding the lapse Of the time within which that
ceremony was to have taken place. On reaching that coun
M however, he was unable accomplish the object in
sequence o. the dissolution Of the Government of Central
America.
In the summer Of ls4l Mr. w. s. Murphy was also dis
patched as special agent Central America It stated
in his instructions that since the return of Mr. Stephens
there wsf reason to believe that confederation of kind
ana 10 some oAtoht had peen formed Central America that
in the opinion Of the President it desirable that this
Government should be in possession Of authentic information
regard to the condition and prospects Of that country
he should find there any organized Government with the t
of the federation Of Central America, he endeavor
effect with il the arrangement 10 relation to the treaty which
Mr. Stephens failed to accomplish He ascertained that
Government existed with the title above mentioned He
informed, however, that there league alliance among
the Central American State but he did discover its
ture extent The Department has believe ha
since the mission Of Mr. Murphy attempts have been made
of those States form league for the purpose
ansactng business with foreign Powers but il doubtful
whether any f these attempts have succeeded and is al
most certain that at the present time there is Federal Gov
eminent in Central America entitled to the privileges
sPonsble for lie duties Of sovereign Power. By decree
bearing date tho 2lst Of March, ls47 the State Guatemala
declared itself free and Independent republic.
The Department is informed that the Government Of Qua
emaa has recently expressed disposition form treaty
with the United States This disposition is recprocated by
the President At early period therefore, after you have
been received By that Government you may Judge proper
you may inform Secretary of State of Guatemala that you
empowered to negotiate treaty with his Government
and you will request that if the Government Of Guatemala il
disposed to entG upon the negotiation, person may b.
empowered for The same purpose on its part As it canno
be anticipated hat the Guatemaan Government will obiec
to the treaty gsed by Mr. De Witt and Mr. Alvarez on be
half of their respective Governments the l4th July 1888
you may propose the adoption Of that treaty between the Uni
ted States and Guatemala. II almost literally denca
with the treaty between tho United States and the Federation
of Central America of the 5h December 1896 The vara
tons between them mentioned in the accompanying
rsct from the instructions Of this Department to Mr..
Witt Of the 2sh Of March, 1888.
You also herewith furnished with full power to
clude treaty o with the Republic Of San Saliva
dor Similar tnaies with the other States Of Central Anne
RIGA would probably be useful in fostering trade with them
and in protecting citizens who may visit reside in the
territories 1t not however deemed advisable to empowe
you to conclude treaty with either Nicaragus Honduras
Costa Rica until you shall have communicated the d.
partment more full and authentic statistical information
regard those States than that which possesses Yo
will accordingly be dgent in collecting this information
which it would be desirable that the Department should
ceve without any delay which be avoided
am, sill, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
i JAMES BUCHANAN.
Il To EITJAH Hrsr Fac Gc -