Weekly national intelligencer., 1853-01-15


impression with regard to that treaty different from
that which was made upon me. Colonel King, we all
know, is low--much lower to-day than he was when
called him last Thursday but found him then eapa
BILE of sitting up with the Integencer upon his table,
from which he reading upon this subject. / sat
down and conyersed with him, and will repeat now
what he said to then may not use the precise lam
guage which he did, but the particular ideas and the
general impression made upon my mind clear thathe
only claim which he, understood to be connected with
British interests there precisely the same as that
which the Senator from Mary has referred to- the
claim to the right to cut logwoodan underlined right as
think the Senator from New York has sad-an unde
fined, unknown right; and ! will repeat here that
Colonel King did suppose-unless greatly msun-
dersood himthat the treaty authorized the British to
establish permanent colony there.
With respect to the letter which Mr. Clayton has pub
shed, am not disposed to deny that he did receive such
note. He is an honorable man, and would not make
such assertion unless true With respect the
communication have more to say, except to repeat
the same idea which was am certain in my own mind
Colonel Kings difficulty with respect to that right And
when this quasi treaty came to be ratified he said to Mr.
Clayton specifically Send it back IL will be
rmed because it practically recognises the whole claim
All intended to express the recognition Of
the right to cut logwood without knowing how far that
would extend. 2 tMet@
far regards myself repeat here in my seat that
during the progress Of the treaty, gave, distinct
for voting for it, that swept away every British
claim to territory that portion of the continent re-
believe it, because the treaty its face said II the
treaty did not that ask, between practical men,
acting for the country, why did it not say SO? Can any
man give reason Why If it did not include British Hon
duras politically geographically it did not say 50
None at all.
With respect to the word dependencies" what said
this, that the word "dependencies" used in the
papers allowed the utmost latitude to the of dipo-
macy. That was my expression. thought it was too
unsettled term, because used in Mr. Bulwers note,
is not the dependencies of the island as it is in Mr.
Claytons answer but it is perfectly underlined and un-
known, and may for aught know be extended almost
indefinitely do not presume to say how far
In regard to the appointment of the consult do not
understand that the appointment Of consul CONNER
cial agent to country have not looked into the SUBJ
ject lately; am speaking, therefore, from my impress
sionoperates recognition Of the independence of the
State to which the appointment is made. 1t is not like
the appointment of diplomatic agent who carries with
you among the independent families Of nations"
The appointment of consul, If understand the true
principle is that it does not carry with a acknowledge
ment of the independence Of the State.
In justice to Mr. Clayton repeat that during the ne
gotiaton than he conyersed with upon the
subject believe before stated, he showed me the
draft of the treaty. approved it then in conversation
with him. | approved it here in the discussion, and
approved it by my vote, and approve now just as did
then if the treaty upon the face of it intended to be
what the American people supposed it was.
Now, before have done with this matter the honor
able Senator from New erk will find that all his suggestions
and nsnuations the belief and knowledge of Sena
tors will be dissolved in air. He will find that the honor
able Senator from Louisiana will make statement that
viii enlighten the Senate and the country.
Mr.. DAVIS. / desire to submit the following resou-
ton in connexon with this subject asking for other
dispatches in regard to it:
Resored That the President be requested communicate
to the Senate if not incompatible with the public interest the
correspondence between the Hon. Abbott Lawrence and Lord
Pamerson the Government of the United States relative
to Central America and also other correspondence which
relates the claims of Great Britain to the Mosquito coast
of the of Honduras Iucatan
Mr.. PEARCE. / would ask the Senator if he is sure
that that correspondence has not already been commune
Gated to the Senate?
Mr.. DAVIS. 1t never has. | wish to obtain it,
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. DOWNS. Mr. President this debate has been
sprung upon US very Unexpectedly this morning by the
honorable Senator from Maryland He, and the honor
able Senator from New York, seem to have given the
whole subject very searching inquiry, which have not
given it. / shall not attempt to go into elaborate
argument they have done and there is very good
why should not have not looked into the SUBJ
ject have not the facilities Of armng myself
with British authorities, British rights and British
claims, to which they to have had access But sir
stand here shall all occasions, to maintain the
position which have taken this subject and to vndi
cate it. rejoice to say that Notwithstanding the re-
searches and the labor bestowed upon this subject by two
of the abes champions of the Whg party this hoor
il is perfectly easy for the most humble individual as
am the other sde to refute it, The honorable Sena
tor from New York. in the sounding notes Of his elo
quence has pronounced the assertion that made that
in all probability the understanding between the British
Minister and Mr.. Clayton not communicated to the
President of the United States ms wanton assault.
repel the assertion did not state it fact, but
suggested it inference from the circumstances Of
the and leave to the Senate and to the people
whether the inference a natural one.
Mr.. SEWARD. have desire to be misunderstood
What said "wantonness Of censure," not assault
but do not know that it is material.
Mr.. DOWNS. l understood the honorable Senator to
say that the allusion which had made wanton
saut the Secretary of State. made assault at all
stated fact | suggested what was very probable
from the circumstances Of the casethe sickness and
death Of the President And with oil the research of both
the gentlemen with all the knowledge which they, seem
have this subject neither Of them has ventured to
the President. The honorable Senator from Maryland
did say that it was communicated to the Cabinet But
did not state il a fact gave it suggestion
from the circumstances about which every body could
judge for themselves
But Mr. President, while the Senator from New York
is anxious to charge another Senator with wanton
attack he should have been very careful not hur back
assertion upon Senators here which full Of
tonness. He has done that; he did it in this way He
said that the fact Of this communication between the Bri
tsh Minister and the Secretary of State known the
Senate deny it. We all deny it. Win the Senator
state in his place that the fact communicated to
him a Senator The Senator did not state it, and
doubt whether he can.
Mr.. SEWARD As the Senator appeals to me, / wish
to say that relied upon the letter Of Mr. KING, which
said that the Senate knew it. do offer myself as
witness upon point that the Senate informed upon
the subject only say for myself that knew Of the
construction given the treaty in the correspondence
alluded to-
Mr.. DOWNS. Whatever the Senator may have known,
his recollection have been very suddenly refresh
cd the subject the other day. when addressed
few words TO the Senate suggested that no Senator