The southern press., 1851-10-24
Prom the N. o. Picayuns.
The Mesquite On cation.

Dy iHtrHulHS 10 uutlsialt ~ ll iulls lOI lNc
Pieayuae, bat its length, aud our OF inon that
il was not of sufficient interest, has hitherto
prevented the attempt. The Herald translates
the most important articles, as follows:
"ARr. |. Her Catholic Majesty, 10 exercise of
the faculties conferred by degree OF the Gen
Cor'ez, December A, 1886, renounces forever, in
the most solemn and formal manner, for herself
and her successors, the sovereignty and all
rights and privileges thereunto belonging, over
the American territories, situated between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the island ada.
cent, formerly known the province of Nicara-
qua, now the republic of the same name, and
over all the territories which may have been in.
corporated in said republic.
ART. 2. And by this act her Catholic Majesty
recognizes as nation, free, sovereign and in
DEPENDENT the republic of Nicaragua, ith the
territories belonging thereto, from sea to sea- as
also those which may hereafter be Incorporated
there it'll.
ART l3. In event Of the construction, in whole
or in part, Of the projected interoceanc commu-
nleation through the territories of Nicaragua,
whether by canal or railroad or by these means
combined, the sub ect of her Catholic Majesty
and their merchandise and effects, shall enjoy
thereon all the exemptions and advantages con.
ceded to the most favored nation. And her
Catholic Majesty, upon her part, unites with the
government OF Nicaragua, and will unite with
all other powers concerting to effect this grea,
work OF interoceanic communications to puaran
tee the same, and the freedom of transit thereby,
and to protect it against all seizure or confisca
ton, and to secure the capital therein invested
The Herald attaches great importance To these
articles, inasmuch they imply recognition
by Spain of the right of Nicaragua to the Mos
quito territory, over which England for some
time exercised a p.otectorate, ard thinks that by
them, the question asked by Lord Palmerston.
how Nicaragua was to succeed to the rights of
Spain, admitting that power to have had any, is
definitely answered Great Britain, in claiming
the independence of the Mosquito shore, how
ever, goes back for title to period beyond
the independence of Nicaragua. England holds
to the right of Mosquito, not only against Mica
ragua, but against Spain also, The point raised
about the ability of Nicaragua to inherit the
rights of Spain was lateral issue, and the urp
ing of the question by Palmerston trick in
logic, by which he attempted to divert the dis
cussion from the real point. He would never have
argued seriously against the right of Nicaragua
to succeed to the Spanish title, had there been
no other question in dispute The recognition
by Spain of the title of Nicaragua to all the ter.
ritory from sea to sea- is not necessari!y decisive
OF the question. 1t is only transference by
Spain of all her rights to Nicaragua; barren
transfer, however, inasnuch - she possessed
nothing 10 cede Nicaragua having for years been
recognized by all the powers OF the world as an
independent State. The recent acts of Spain
can have no effect on the issue, except to add
moral strength to the position of Nicaragua in
h quarrel with England She has acquired
no new rights, and it is not probable that Eng
land will consider the endorsement of Spain of
sufficient weight to cause her to abandon pre-
tensions heretofore urged with so much pertina-
city.
The fact is that this Mo quito question is far
from being settled on tho contrary, it continual
ly presents new and more incomprehensible
ph ses. 1t was imagined in this country that by
the convention between the United States and
Great Britain, the latter power had surrendered
her pretensions in Central America The con-
vention stipulated that England was TO renounce
the proteclorate which she claimed over Mosoui
to, and which it was supposed she exercised over
Costa Rica. Our understanding of this was that
Nicaragua was to be permitted to resume juris
diction over the Mosquito coast. But the Eng
lIsh governmt Mt has not agreed TO any such in
depreciation OF the treaty, however reasonable it
may be; but hongh it now claims no protec.
torate over Mosquito, it holds unlimited SWAY in
that region The English profess to under stand
the convention as virtual admission by us of
The Independence of Mosquito, rather forced
construction we should think, but nevertheless
one they are determined to adhere to- Conse-
quently whenever Nicaragua attempts to extend
her authority over the Mosquito territory the
English government will interfere in defence of
nationality which it says, not only England
herself but the United States has recognized.
If Nicaragua urges her rights, as obtained by
the acquisition Other independence, Great Britain
will reply that thereby Nicaragua acquired only
The right of sef'government-thls was Palmer
ston's eyplanation-and could not invalidate the
rights of others; ifshe then urges that Spain has
acknowledged her title Great Britain will answer
that Spain had only a right to transfer her own
claims and rights but that she could not trans
fer those of Others and that the title of the Mos
quito kingdom to a separate national existence
was held against Spain as we'll as against Nca-
ragua
1t appears, therefore, that neither the conven.
ton between tn country and Great Britain, nor
the treaty between Nicaragua and Spain, nor
both together, suffice TO drive England from her
positions. Thus the door seems thrown wide |
open for farther negotiations, which it is to be
h ped will result more satisfactorily than the last.