The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-20

notice the following article OF Intelligence
in the New York Journal NJ Commerce, ex-
tracted from the New Orleans Picayune, a paper
distinguished for theaceuracy of its Mexican in
telligence
'The Pcay une has Mexico papers to the 18th
uItimo, and says that M. Ramon Gamboa has
submitted TO the Senate draft of bill, EN-
powerng the Executive to open negotiations
with the British government for the opening Of
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec basis of the
arrange nent to be, that Great Britain construct
canal within given period, erect such for,i-
fcations as Mexic, may designate, and assist
Mexico in case OF an invasion Of the lsthmus,
or any attack made on her rights TO lands stu
ated thereon, Mexico binding herself to keep a
garrison OF 1000 men on the lsthmus to aid
travellers, garrison forts, &c, and to make over
to Great Britain all tolls and other advantages
to be derived from the canal"
have been anticipating this denouement
for some time. 1t has long been evident that
British influence is paramount in the huctuat-
ing councils of Mexico, the weakness of whose
government renders it the slave of foreign pow
er. Besides, Mexico is deeply in debt to Eng
land and weak debtor is always the slave of
a strong creditor The late peremptory demand
of. the British government for the payment OF
interest on that debt, has, presume been or will
be warded off for the present by this cession--
for such it is in fart--of the Isthmus of Tehu-
antepec to the British government, which, it is
perfectly clear it this law is carried into effect
will at all times havei it in its power to exclude
any nation with which England is at war, or OF
whom she is jealous from availing itself of this
important route across the continent. 1t is well
known that the right to construct this canal and
railroad became vested in company of Ameri-
can citizens, by virtue of solemn compact with
the Mexican government, which compact has
thus been violated, and the right about to be
transferred to England 1t is clear from the
uniform practice Of European powers, especial
y England, that the rights reserved by Mexico
ere no security whatever, and that if this agree
ment is carried into effect, England will become
mistress of this portion of America, and thus
control one of the most important routes, con-
Meeting the possession Of the United States on
the Atlantic and Pacific The proceedings Of
England on the Istnmus of Darien, and in Cen
trail America throughout show determination
TO gain like co itrol over all the. other great
routes connecting these two oceans, most es-
pecially that through which only ship canal
can be carried; and if our doughty Wing ad-
ministration will only-as | have no doubt il
will, unless reused by blast of popular indig-
nation-continue willfuly blind to these en-.
croachments, the people of the United States
may one day wake up, and find themselves pay
ing tribute to England for the privilege of go
ing from one part oftheir possessions to another.
When the late treaty was concluded between
the United States and England, we were told
that as n consideration for that extraordinary
instance of national condescension, by which the
United States bound themselves not to extend
their possessions towards the South, that Eng
land had relinqushed her protection of the
puissant King of the flock of Mosquitoes Yet
Greytown is not only not abandoned but it APP
pears from the late attack on the Prometheus,
that England in her character of protector, is
determined to enforce the regulations of these
enlightened savages, even to the extent of firing
into a vessel of the United States for refusing to
comply with them. 1t is stated, by letters from
Washington, that our stalwart administration
has instructed Mr.. LAWRENCE, our minister, TO
demand an explanation from the British govern
ment of this insolent and outrageous proceed
ing, and have no doubt he will do it in the
most polite manner. 1t will go hard if that ex.
pert statesman, Lord PALMERsToN, who excels
in buttering his bread on both sides, cannot
smooth down the rufiled feathers of the Secre-
tary of State, who equally excels in writing
diplomatic letters, and making eectioneering
speeches. But the people of the United States,
| trust, will require, not merely an apology for
this outrage, but total abandonment of this
doctrine of protection" which is but another
name for colonization, and, in my humble opin-
ion, the most dangerous protection ever set up
by England against the interests of this con-
federation.
Yet, for aught, the people know the admins
tration has taken no effectua steps whatever to
arrest or counteract this nsidious and Danger
Gus policy. The late minister to Central Anne
rio 1, Mr.. SoUIER, has been recalled presume
because he asserted the rights and honor of the
United States with proper spirit and in that way
made himself obnoxious to the British govern
ment as well as to our Wing rulers. SO far
from the latter taking any steps to settle these
great questions on basis honorable and advan
tageous to the United States, we are told by the
President, in his message to Congress, that our
relations with all foreign powers, especially
England, are on the most amicable footing
while, on one hand, England is firing into our
vessels at Greytown, and, on the other, England
and France have taken position in relation to
Cuba, which will give them pretext for firing
into them on the coast of Cuba. In the mean
time, England is making overtures, through NJ
/ KossUTH, to induce the United States to be-
come party with her in maintaining that very