The southern press., 1852-02-28

expressly stipulated the abandonment of the
protectorate of the Mosquitoes; but which, ac-
cording to the British construction, as explicitly
provides for its continuance. Here is direct
collision Of construction on question which,
though It seems beneath executive or legislative
notice, is, will venture to suggest, Of quite as
much consequence to the future peace and pros
perity of the United States, as the mission Of
KossUTH, the printing of the census, the assign.
ment of land warrants, the mileage Of members,
or any of those important questions that SO ex-
cnsively occupy the assembled wisdom of the
nation. 1t may be only small speck in the
horizon now, but is destined to grow in magni-
tude, until it overshadows the world. The
Isthmus of Suez dwindles into insignificance,
when compared with that of Panama; and OF
all nations on earth, the people Of the United
States have the deepest interests involved in its
being forever freed from the domination of Eng.
land.
Yet the United States, while Congress is de-
ton of the rights of the entire human race, have
not ventured even to put forth modest "protest,
such as Gen. CAss recommends, -against an
act of gross interference on the part of England
with the rights of an independent American
State, which, in its future consequences, mena-
ces their most important interests, political and
commercial. So far AS is known, nothing has
been done, nothing is doing, to bring this
great QUESTION to an issue. The British gov
eminent being in possesson--which is con-
siderably more than nine points of international
law-of course feels no anxiety to forward this
issue. But the United States ought to know,
that the longer it is delayed, the more difficult
it will become. 1t will not be long before the
British government will plead peaceable pos
session, in addition to its other pretences.
There probably never was time more favora-
BILE to the satisfactory adjustment Of this highly
important question, if we may judge from
the language of the new British minister,
in his address of presentation, and the reply of
the President. The minister assures the President
that I" his august sovereign heartily wishes for
the prosperity Of this republic;" and that while
at no former period of their history has the SUBJ
sistence Of friendly relations between the two
countries been of more vital importance to the
interests of both, and at no time have those re-
lations appeared to rest on frmer foundation,
than at present." He then dscourses most elo-
quently on "consanguinity"- historical trad-
tons" common language joint inherit
ence"-" similarity of laws and forms of admin
commercial relations the COM
mon pursuit of a temperate liberty, &C., &C.,
&C." The President, on the other hand, echoes
this fummery, and talks with equal junction. about
{" common ancestry common language
acommon inheritance" together with other CON-
mon places,--and fairly traces the liberties of
the United States TO the British constitution.--
He dilates eloquently, almost enthusiastically,
on the blessings of English liberty, and re-
ciprocates cordially the sentiments of esteem
and regard from your august sovereign, &C."
Now, then, is the time for settling question
OF such vital consequence TO the United States,
while Her august Majesty continues to cherish
such hearty wishes for their prosperity, as her
representative assured the President. Surely
Her august Majesty, IL given to understand that
the friendly relations between the two countries,
so much desired on her part, will, in great
measure, depend on the REIMBURSEMENT of British
usurpaiion in Central America, they will no
longer be persisted in. But our Secretary of
State, fear, Mas expended all his powder in his
letter 70 the Cheyalier lIUEsEMAsN, and, il would
seem, relies on that spirited missive as a fair
Offset against his want Of spirit on all other oc
casions in corresponding with foreign ministers.
This, however, is what might be expected, at
least, whenever England is a party. Those
conversant with the political history Of the Sec
rotary, cannot be ignorant that in every dispute
or collision with England, since the golden age
Of The Hartford convention, be has uniformly
arrayed himself on her side, with one single ex
ception, when he was seduced into the erroneous
incongruily Of threatening actual bloody war
against that power, one fourth # July" But
he soon recovered himself; took few steps
backwards; threw summerset, and lighted
on his feet as cool as cucumber
pApyus Homo