The New York herald., 1851-10-18
The Seizure OF the Island OF Ruasan ny the
iish-Aggrsssions snd Practical Mo-
ralllY Of Great Britain.

tember Last, that notice the existence. in the
American democracy, of spirit which has already
more than once rushed into war on frivolous pre-
fences and which overlooks and thrusts aside the
most unquest;onable rules of territorial right and
political equity towards foreign States" In another
British paper, We read
The acquisition of territory by republic breh-
most exceptonable means TO which the recent invasion
Of Cuba forms atrocious climax; aud the disasters
which have nov beallen the particpstors therein
nobing more than just punshmeAt fcr such fragrant
| Violate Ms Of national he nor and morality.
To call these imputations upon the honor and
integrity OF the United States atrocious caumnies,
is to characterize them only as they deserve. Their
| assertion and re. assertion by the publicists OF
Europe, denote moral obliquity, unfair spirit,
| and persistence in wrong, which is unworthy Of
the age in which We live, and Of the comfy which
should exist amongst the people, as ell the 60
vernments, of different nations.
1t is an undeniable fact that the United States of
North America, since their organization as a federal
republic, have nearly quadrupled their territories.
That republic now extends from one great ocean to
the other-irom the torrid to the frigid zone-over
twenty-five degrees of latitude and fifty of longitude
and embraces nearly two and half millions of
square miles Of surface-equal to two-thirds of the
entire area of Europe. Yet the United States of
North America never acquired one foot of this vast
| territory except by fair purchase and open and
honorable negotiation. The purchase of Florida,
Louisiana, and California, and the annexation of
Texas, were all and each of them legitimate acts,
sanctioned by every principle Of public morality and
sgans. which no nation under heaven had any just
reason to complain.
We repeat, therefore, that whoever charges the
United States with thrusting aside the most un-
questionable rules Of territorial light and politica
equity" or with composing the acquisition of
territory "by the mos. except enable means,'
utters gross and malignant libel upon a people
TO whose International moderation all history
fails to furnish parallel, and to which Eng
land, above all other nations under heaven,
affords the most abundant. and fagrant contrasts.
We deny Indignantly the alleg ations and imputa-
tions of the Times, and challenge an appeal to
facts Let it produce its proofs, stand before
the world the wanton calumniator Of the American
people. AS respects the vituperation of the pro-
vincal press, which clothes in othouse phrase and
vulgar epithet the ideas which it borrows from the
great enemy Of republicanisn and the organ of
reaction and tyranny in Europe-the wretches who
write LAND stealers" and "pirates" in place
OF the less false and equally calumnious
terms of the London Tines, and who exult openly,
instead of flamentng by 20 critically, the fate
Of the brave and chivalrous but perhaps misguided
men who laid down their lives foz Cuban emanc-
pation-so far regards these, indig nation sub
sides into contempt. Their assaults upon the
American character are pi.iful exhibitions of hu
man folly, in which it is difficult to say whether
ignorance or maligrity is the predominant ele-
ment.
But America needs no vindication from these as
persions. We commenced this article with no
view Of wasting tine space in refuting charges
the ialsity Of which none kno well those WHO
make them. Our purpose is to show that, while
England is tresuming TO instruct US in the princi
pies Of f''irternaiional morality" aud with grave
yisage aud elevated eyes is exhort ne Us to OBJ.
serve the "comity Of nations" and especially to
abstain from indulgence In the exciting luxury Of
territorial agTandizsment, as a thing improper
ard car gercus at this stage Of youthful career
magiseraily and severely hinting the while at the
old bug boos Of Eurepe's efe: diplomacy, 'trple
reaties" and '.jont approximations" and ''necss.
sites Of finterfereRce'-taat while England is doing
this she Is actually, within our own waters, and
allCs. thin cannon shot Of tha. islam which she
$50 anxious 70 continue beneath the iron heel of
Spanish rule violating most Gag antly every prin-
cpe Of international morality" and rudely
hrustipr aside ''the mos. unquestionable rules Of
territorial right and political equity" We charge
hat, at this very hour, the government Of Eagand
copsunmAtng in the Gulf Of Mexico, in the Bay Of
Honduras, felony upon the territories Of feeble
AAtriean republc, withou: even the shallow pre-
text ofsupporting savage king oft own creation
without the shadow Of an excuse, or the senblance
OF decent pretext
We charge upon the Bfitish government the per-
petration Of an a.rocity In the Gulf Of Honduras,
fully as henous any Of those which she has com.
nited yearly, for the last half century in India-as
urj7stihable and great violation Of /" the sacred
principles Of international law" as the seizure Of
Malta, the Gland stealing" CT the Ionian Islands,
ard the piracy" Of Alden. We charge this delibe.
ratcy, and promise to sGbsantate il fally or sub
nit, sell-condemned, to tear the opprobrium which
VIC have denounced against the London Times and
its disrefutable echos Of the provincial press
About thirty miles to the northwari Of the port
Of Truxillo, in the republican state Of H,nluras.
Central America, is an Island called Roatln, some-
times Ruatan, and Rattan. IL is about thirty
miles long and nine broad, has fIe SOIL he athful
climate pleniiicl supply OF good water, and, fur
thermore, two excellent harbors, each capable Of
containing feet It may be considered" says
Alcedo, 'as the key Of The Beg Of Honduras and the
focus Of the trade Of the neighboring countries -
"This beautiful island," says Macgregor, has an
excellent hsrbor, easily defe nded and is well adapted
to the culture Of cotton coffee and other tropical pro-
duets" And Captain Mitchell, Of the British navy
who're account we give in fall in another part of
his days paper, adds that "the lo;al position Of
bis island seems enc Of importance, in CON-
nercial, and perhsTs in political point Of view.
Il is the only place where good harbors are found
on an extensive and dangerous coast" And also,
(and We call especial attention to the argumen:
about the facilities for smuggling which its pos
session would aaord). "that It's proximity to
Central America aud Spanish Honduras seems TO
point it out az good depot for English goods and
mnrufn .furna- uh1rn lhru -r...iA "a Il.