The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-31


would no measure restoring the late tariff, either
in whole in part, be carried but that the protec
tionists would be unable even TO introduce one The
event has verified our prediction Next. session
they may be more successful as regards the intro
duction of bill, but they will certainly fail TO
carry it through the Legislature.
~ Long and arduOus as the session has been, 1t has
been the most important, both in its present results
and future, cense quenccs, that has as yet occarrea
at Washington. itslegslation has been ominently
of a domestic character; and when other events
which marked It's progress mays be forgotten, the
session of 1850 will be gratefully remembered in
American annals, as that which witnessed the in
PRODUCTION of the first state on the Pacific, and
rescued the union from the difficulties of that
dreaded question which. for three quarters of
century, had thrown SO dark shadow on its path.
The Diplomatic Etiquette OF the United
(From the London Times, Oct III
Diplomatic intercourse between England and the
United States of America is necessarily upon
footing differing entirely from that upon which,
hitherto, the intercourse between the chief Euro.
pean States has been conducted. The United
States, though bound together by a solemn COM
pact in the character of so many sovereign commu-
mites, are known TO the comfy Of nations only as
one State, corresponding directly through the
President of the confederacy with other nations.
But the President by himself cannot bind and make
responsible the people in whose name he addresses
foreign communities His acts must be confined
and sanctioned in a certain form by the Senate of
the United States, which thus becomes virtually
the negotiating instrument of the Union. But the
Senate is a numerous body, owing its existence TO
popular election, and great difficulties are likely
TO arise, il under existing circumstances, present
and temporary, secrecy IS required. England, on
the contrary, gives TO the sovereign nomnaiiy the
whole power Of negotiating and entering into and
retHing treaties. Parliament has, indeed, viz
tual control, but while negotiations are pending,
power, constitutionely, can force the sovereign
TO reveal what is going on There are more prac-
icsIc % me this fprmal theory a
first sight appear.
From time to time startling incidents occur In
the intercourse of the United States with foreign
powers which are not in accordance with the
dictates either Of prudence or right feeling;
and we are always anxious TO point out
these apparent deviations from the right
PATH in order, first, to be assured OF the fact II II
have really occurred, or to be set right If we be
msinformed; and also, in the second place, to call
the attention of the American people TO the case,
because we sure that all the right minded men
smong them would complain "a much as We
should do OF any in1iscretioa or misconduct IN
matter SO delicate and important as negotiation
with foreign, though friendly power.
These observations have been called forth by the
appearance some time eince in the American ri-
pers OF communication purp0rting 10 De ietter
rem diplomatic servant q the United states, adj
dressed to the chairman OF the committee OF the
Senate on foreign rriations which letter related TO
matters Of great inporiancv and of exceeding deli
cucy connected with The mutual proceedings OF
Great Britain and the United States respecting
Central America. and the great communication
about to be established be tween the Pacific and
Atlantic seas. OF the peculiar statements of this
letter, many OF which we have every reason to be-
eye misfeprese nations, are not at present
about TO speak. But the mere fact that suca let
ter was written calls for severe apprehension, and
will meet with il doubtess soon as the circum-
stances are fairly laid before the American people.
Central America, since the discovery Of the
mineral wealth of California, h IS risen into imme-
date and great importance. Every oae who has
ever given attention 10 the probable destiny both OF
our Australian colonies aud Of the Western coast OF
the two Americas, must have foreseen that the
day was BOT far distant when a successful attempt
would be made 20 establish practical communscd-
ton between the two great oceans, over the narrow
strip Of land which divides them. The discovery
of the steam engine and railroads only rendered this
the more certain; the maes OF California have only
given an immt diete motive TO proceed with the un-
deriaking But such communication was ma
turally subject OF Jealousy among the nations,
for ii any were 10 get possession of il 10 the
exclusion OF all other, "A most unjust and dau-
geIoUs monopoly would thereby be created The
Two governments Of America and Great Britain
have, In perfect coed faith and mutual good will,
discussed this question, and treaty with respect
10 II has been entered into the common
understanding being that our relations with the
States OF Central America should be Of the same
dsfcTipton, and that neither goverome1 shsnld ac-
ouirs rights or privileges in the domnOnsof those
STATES 10 the exclusion Of the other; and there ap-
hears TO have been very frank and friendly inter-
course between the representative Of our government
at Washington and the Secretary of State, Mr. Web
ster, on the subject. From the constitution Of the
United States as above described, il was necessary
that the Senate should be made cogaisani OF all
that occurred and in order to obtliu all the in
formation needed by them, the Committee on
Foreign Relations summoned before them Me-.
Squier, who, as Minister, or Charge des AffAiree,
he'd represented the United STATES in Central
America. THIS person. being examined by the
committee sitting in secret and all the transac-
tons, relating as they did to pending negotiations
being alec deemed secret. writes a letter TO the
chairman OF the committee, Mr.. Foote, and pub
lishes il. The statements of person in a conf
Dental station assume from that fact importance
he is believed to know more than is known to the
public, and his assertions are considered as almost
like authorized communications, and II false, as
many Of them IN This instance were, great mischief
may follow. But the most serious and lasting
evil VIII fall upon the United States. For the
present, we put aside all consideration OF the
merits OF the particular matter, and only insist
on the gross improperly Of such proceeding
Seeing such things possible, foreign nations
will stand eoof, and be un wiling TO meet the
government Of the United States with the frank
and cord j spirit which ought TO exist betreen
great and friendly powers. They will ssy -" We
cannot trust your authorities, and no negotlaor will
be willD to rick his own reputation, and his cOun-
uys imeresia, by con6ding his plans and proposals
10 the diplomatic repreeen tafIves OF the United
States" However powerful, however asiute the
people OF the United States may consider them
selves, they may be assured that they can never,
with safety, neglect the good old principles OF good
faith and honesty. They may outwt one people,
or one nerouator, but they can never out~it the
whole world and we should have thought, that
ss nation, they bod already seen reason to trust
TO TIE truth Of the old proverb. that honesty is the
best policy. Sharp practice may be looked upon
as good joke between low attorneys, but between
great nations, such conduct is a calamity TO man
kind. In this Gaze, indeed, we must believe that
the fault Is that of the individual, and we expect TO
zee signal punishment follow this grave offence.
The misconduct will, Otherwise, be connected al
a natural result in men's minds, with America
institutions, and the real sufferers WILL consequent.
ly, be the Americans the mselves.
The Steam Vessels OF England and America.
From the London Chronicle, Oct. 40
For nearly ten years, England has maintained an
ocean stesrs navigation by means OF the Cunard
and West India mail steamers, not solely for her
w xiv, hut t<<t III Wp