The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-20

2ih Of June last, takes precisely the same ground,
and adds, that the United States, by this treaty
virtually recognizes the Mosquitan Kingdom, and
ltcvn's rs n,uch party as England herself to
This letter W, exultingly shown to MIR Bronck,
an American gentleman Of unimpe achable charac-
ter, then with myself in San Juan, and now,
believe, IN the United States, and ready to contrm
this statement. Advices by the schoon.rs" Meta.
mora" and a" Kawson," which have just reached
this port from San Juan, represent the British
authorities as proceeding with the erection Of a
custom mouse and other permanent edifces at that
point; proceedings sufficiently significant of British
intentions.
This being the construction put upon the Con-
ven.ion referred TO BY Great Britain, what would
b. the consequence Of the withdrawal of our recog-
nten OF the territorial rights of Nicaragua over the
lire OF the proposed canal If any dispute should
hereafter arse as to the true meaning and intent of
the treaty, would not Great Britain say, and be
justified in saying. "Previous to the negotiation
of the treaty between us, you recognized
the sovereignty and property of Nicaragua
over the territory and port in question, but upon
the conclusion OF that treaty, and in conformity
whit, you withdrew that recognition, thereby
fully admitting our claims" No mental reserva-
tons upon our part. no eSpdrfe " understandings
of The case" be plead against this unequivOcal
concession, If we weak enough 10 yield it. If,
il appears, this is to be treaty of constructions
to be read backward or forward, circumstances
shall require, it is of vital Importance, even if we
secure nothing by il, that we shall do nothing TO
favor the British view, or to leave Nicaragua in
worse condition than we found her.
Mr.. Bulwer objects TO that portion of the Mica
rsgus treaty which provides that the protection of
the United States shall extend to the canal f" so
long as II remains under the control of citze ms of
the United States" The company already con-
tracing for building the canal, Is composed of
American citizens; and it is hardly to be supposed
that Mr.. Bulwer enterains the idea that the United
States and Great Britain one or both, can interfere
between that company and Nicaragua, or make il
any other than what II is, an American company.
Besides, the protection continues long as the
United States enjoys certain stipulated privileges,
ct he canal be In whatever hands it may.
Mr. Bulwer further objects 10 that part of section
three OF this article, which authorizes the Presi-
cent and Secretary OF State Of the United States 10
transfer the existing canal contract TO any other
company OF American citizens, under certain restrc
lions. Surely il Is lot TO be supposed that the
United States is 10 stpulate with Nicaragua for this
privilege to be exercised in behalf of the citizens of
any other country. Nor does this provision con-
flct in any way with the British treaty. That
treaty provides IN article one, that neither party
shall. ueat with any Central American government
for ''any rights or advantages in regard Ito COM
merce or navigation through said canal, which
shall not be offered the same terms to the citi.
zens or subjects of the other This refers only to
rights OF " commerce and pavigaii through the
canal when finished, and in no way relates 10 the
construction Of that work. The United States,
from position and circumstances, is most intere sed
in the proposed canal She is its natural protector;
and as the first American nation, il is not to be
disputed that she has tie right Of precedence in
anything relating to this essentially American
work, Nor can che be accused Of assuming more
IMAM she is entitled to, in taking that precedence,
when it is rendered TO her by the only nation which
has the power to confer IL. She has right to
fuse this evidence Of confidence the part of
Nicaragua, nor is her acceptance legitimate cause
Of complaint on the part of any nation.
The fourth section Of this article is especially OBJ
noxious 10 the British Minister, for if Great
britain insists upon her unfounded preentons to the
Mosquito shore, II places her in attitude of hos
riliiy 10 The whole world. France, Russia, Ger
many, every maritime nation, will be glad TO accept
the grand advantages which we have secured to
ourselves by entering into the same obligations. l
violate NO confidence IN informing you that the
French minister in Central America mas already
proposed a treaty between Nicaragua and France,
IN terms precisely the same with our own. Eng
land can nave no possible reason for Directing TO
this section, il by the late convention with the
United States, she intended, or now intends TO
withdraw, her Mosquitan pretensions And the
fact that the British Minister is nervousy anx.
Ious that this section shall be modified, is only
proof that England does not intend to withdraw
them.
There is nothing in this section which in the
Ia asst conflicts with the convention with Grea,
Britain; and the suggestions and intimatiens of the
British minister in respect TO IL, are, therefore,
grossly impairment. Mr. Buwer has submitted
substitute; conde scensicn for which the Amer.
can people, II they aware of il, would, no
coubt, maniest their gratitude in some unequivocal
way; perhaps quite as unequivocaliy did the
Spanish people, under circumstances somewhat
similar.
have said there is no conflict between this section
and the British convention; on the contrary, entire
harmony exists between them. Article one, of
that treaty, provides that privileges shall be
cured 10 one country (which shall not be offered
On the same terms TO the other" Aud this Sec
non, In strict conformity with this stipulation,
provides that the advantages which accrue TO the
nited States and It's citizens, under the terms Of
The treaty with Nicaragua, shall also accrue to any
and every other nation upon the same terms-terms
10 other IA has
objected, or will object. The truth is, this sec
hon drives England TO the wall, and forces ker TO
choose whether she shall insist upon her pretended
Mosquito protectorate, and incur the hostility Of
he world, on one hand, or abandon IL, and accept
.qual privileges with the world, on the other.
his is the true and only reason for her objection,
however II may be covered W in plausible dipo
matte phrases.
There is another strong point to be made against
my modification OF this section, As IL stands, IL |
ends powerful support, in legitimate way, to
NicaraRua. II enables her 10 treat with all nations
1n equal terms, and TO refuse all concessions which
might otherwise be demanded Of her by force, or
fought TO be drawn from her by fraud She COM
'fehends this fully, and the whdrs wal Of this prop
o her weakness, would also be act of bad
aiih" toward her, and calculated to destroy our
niiuence amonest her peope-not TO say 10 lead to
! rejection Of the pending convention upon her |
trt.
IL does not appear therefore, that there is any
hing IN the proposed treaty with Nicaragua which
'onihcts with the British convention; nor is there
ny thing Of which Great Britain has any just rea-
'on 10 complain.
Nicaragua is an independent and sovereign |
State, recognized as such both by Great Britain |
md the United States. What right, then, |
would We possess TO adopt Mr.. Bsiwer's sub |
ttute, and spulsie that Great Britain and |
lers allies generally, shall enjoy this, that, or |
he other privilege, IN Nicaragua We have no |
lles, in the accepted sense Of the word and Great
Britain y able 10 treat for herself The State Of
Nicaragua is ready to treat with her on equable |
ems, but Nicaragua would have very good reason |
or objec;rg TO her slipping into the en- oy ment Of |
III the nghls conceded TO ne, under the skirts of
be United states, and thus avoid meeting the |
Mosquito qu, siioD.
/ cannot close these observations without adj |
'ertng 10 the attempt Of Mr. Bulwer 20 reflect dis
n dat upon Nicaragua, and bring her government
md people into contempt. IL would hardly seem
u ldcnt or pcliiic in man who app airs as the ad
'ocaie and supporter Of the national dignity Of
handful Of naked sayages, without a written Lam
luage. without lave, without printing press, a