The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-04

varied and interesting character. See the inside
pages Of this sheet.
The Administration and our Foreign Re-
latlens.
Our foreign relations, it is now universally ad-
mitted, constitute highly important branch of the
practical duties of the administration. To the ex-
ecutve department is assigned the authority Of
negotiating treaties; of enforcing treaty stipula-
tions; and of seeing not only that "the laws are
faithfully executed but that our fag-the rights
of our commerce. and the rights Of our citzens-are
respected in every quarter Of the world Our coun-
try stands, at this moment, in every element Of in
ternal strength, energy, resources, high civilization
and unbounded prosperity, incomparably the great
est nation of the earth. 1t has become, then, the
paramount duty of our government to pursue affirm,
positive, and decisive policy in the conduct of
foreign affairs-a policy which will enforce the OBJ
Of good faith towards US, promptly pun
sh every wanton infracton of written law or estab-
lished usage-a policy which will vigilantly seize
upon every available opportunity for extending and
charging commercial facilities with other ma
tions-a policy which will impress upon every people
with whom are brought into contact, over the
whole surface of the globe, proper sense Of the
advantages Of friendship, and also of the dan
gers Of our dispeasure. Now, let US see how the
practice Of the cabinet will square with these simple
elementary principles Of our foreign policy
1t has been claimed, from time to time, by the
organs Of the administration, that in its manage
ment of our foreign affairs it has exhibited de-
gree of ability, dignity, prudence, courage, and
steadast consistency, unprecedented in the history
Of the government. The laudations expended upon
Mr. Webster, in reference to his Hulsemann CORES
pondence have been scarcely less extravagant than
the praises bestowed upon the President in reference
to Spain and Cuba. Judging, indeed from the general
applause of the wing press, it would seem that Mr.
Fillmore and his cabinet have left nothing undone
which ii was proper to do, and have done nothing in
our international relations which was net exactly
proper and exactly in season. They have contrived
to maintain our pre- existing relations of peace in all
quarters, without any very glazing concessions or
humiliation and this. it is concluded, comprehends
the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end
ing, of sound diplomacy. few specific facts, how
ever, are worth whole volumes Of empty clap-trap,
we shall proceed to show.
it is notorious that the domestic and foreign
affairs of Central America have been for several
year. past in state Of neSplicabe confusion. 1t
was hoped, however, and it was promised, that the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty would prove satisfac-
tory extinguisher to the pretensons Of the British
government and the oficious intermeddkng of Bri-
fish agents. in the affairs of the Mosquito coast and
Nicaragua; and that, for the future the other
states Of Central America should cease to be trou-
bled with such busy-bodies Chatfeld, and
all other impairment agents, scheming for the estab
lishment of British supremacy in those countries.
The treaty goes into effect. The Mosquito coast is
understood TO form part the State Of Nicaragua.
And yet an American merchant steamer is COM
PEELED under the guns Of British vessel Of war; to
pay tribute to Mr.. James Green, consul Of Her
Britannia Majesty, acting under her authority, and
in behalf Of his majesty the King Of Mosquito, as
mayor donio of San Juan. This glaring outrage could
not, Of course, be overlooked An explanation was
demanded, and an apology was made by the British
government; but, in the meantime, and, as far as
we can understand it, up to the present time, the
port charges established at San JUAN by Mr.. James
Green, acting for the King Of Mosquito, are still
exacted of American vessels, and paid, according to
instructions to the commander Of our home squad
ron The authority under which this tribute ia col
lccted is clearly dsavowed in the treaty. yet, for
the sake of peace il is recognized by cabinet,
until the matter be more definitely arranged by
further negotiations. In other words, the lawless
intermeddling Of British agents, upon the most law
less and audacous pretensions, having rendered an
existing treaty practical nullity, Mr.. Fillmore and
Mr.. Webster agree, as the safest alternative, to
proceed to patch up another. We are gravey in
formed, through Mr. webster's especial Wall street
organ, that " instructions have been despatched to
Mr. Kerr, our Charge a. A6aves at Nicaragua, re-
questing him to lay before the supreme dictator Of
Mat lie tbo Vi
ment in regard to AN amicable Of all the
territorial questions in dispute between Costa Mca
and Nicaragua and Of final adjustment of our pro-
tracted controversy with England in regard to the
boundaries of the Mosquito coast
This settling Of the boundaries Of the MOSQUITO
coast" wears rather suspicious complexion Is IL
admitted, or is it to be admitted, thaA England has
any right, title, or sovereignty over the Mosquito
coast or any admissible claims of jurisdiction over
any of the states or territories Of Central America!
We seriously have our misgvings Of the capacity Of
Mr. Webster to do full justice to the doctrine Of non
intervcnson-the old Monroe doctrinc-in this BUSH
ness. We apprchend, from what has been admitted
and conceded, that Mr. Webster has too much re-
spect for the power and prestige of England, too
much Difference to British assumptions and too little
Of that Jacksonian moral courage, which, having
taken its position firmly upon the true American
ground, assumes the responsibility" to stand by it
and maintain it. But whatever may be the result,
the diplomacy of the administration, upon the af-
fairs Of Central America, has thus far been series
Of great blunders, the consequence Of indecision,
timidity, and constant trucking to British auda-
city.
Turning to Mexico, we find our international con-
unit hat
and unpr0mifins' From neglect " carry out the