Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05

him. as chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Relations
to present his views upon this subject
Mr. BUTLER. | do not intend to interfere with the
rights Of any Senator upon this foor but think this 10
case which calls for a reference. unable to form
any judgment upon this subject unless nave tne nior
nation before me- The honorable Senator from virginia,
dr MAsoS the chairman Of the COMMITTEE on foreign
relations has made inquiry, and have doubt that
those inquiries will enable him to bring forward much
formation upon which the Senate can form Judgment
upon this subject. Ordinarily questions Of this kind
come before the Senate through Executive communca
tons and that think is much the best way But as
this subject has brought up for discussion in open
Senate and Is to take Jurisdiction of matters Of
this kind without negotiation want to learn mpor
tent fact and that is whether Great Britain has COM
rntted trespass and If So upon the rights of what po
.ica body power has that trespass been committed
New this settlement or colonization in the Bay of Hon
duras is respass either upon Guatemala, Honduras
other State there The honorable Senator from Vr
gnia doubt give much information the
character Of those States communities whatever
you may please to call them And II may be, that in the
end may be compelled to vote for something like
mission to ascertain and guaranty her rights
as far as our interest and policy concerned But,
before shall do that wish form judgment upon the
necessary information? And therefore would suggest
that reference of this subject the Committee Fo
reign Relations should ut take place. and that the
honorable chairman Of that committee should give the
necessary information in report before he makes
his speech. And will promise Senator that If he
gives full information upon this subject such
understand, and such can forp judgment upon,
will not make any speech myself but will be satisfied
with the explanation he may make. But l do not
what we gain by carrying this debate in this dis
cursory manner-this shooting ut barn-door all the
time, and having particular mark to shoot at We
have the honorable Senator from Florida dr NAL
LoRy discussing one subject and the honorable Senator
from Virginia Mr. MAsoN) desires to discuss another
each separate and dstncf from hAss resolutions Now
it does strike me that this matter ought to be referred
to the Committee Foreign Relations, and then let
their report be made the vehicle Of information upon
which shall pronounce responsible Judgment as we
are in measure interfering with Executive transact
tons. / say, let this subject be Mt referred
Dir. HOUSTON. Mr.. President, not in favor Of
referring this resolution to committee. l anxious
hear the honorable gentleman the chairman Of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations mr. MAsoS) Other gem
temen have spoken who have not been intimately con-
neced with the subject and should expect some nfor
nation from him that would be important to disposition
of this question want the privilege Of speaking upon
the subject myself Mr.. President have occupied but
very little Of the time of this body this session. at pre-
vous sessions either and though am anxious to
the California railroad progress any other member OF
this Senate, imagine that will not bring it to any
tsfactory concusona this session Until report is made
by committee of this body, do not think we will pro-
gress in that matter at ALL shall vote against any refer
of this resolution till hear the chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. GWIN. do not wish, Mr.. President, to hinder
any gentleman here by making motion to postpone
The Senator from Illinois r SHIELDs) knows very we'll
that should be very much delighted to hear him; but
there are many in his condition. do not know but
nearly every member Of the Senate will be compelled to
something come to fna decisive upon
this subject
Mr.. SHIELDS. The honorable Senator will permit me
to say that have wish whatsoever to trespass upon
the time Of the Senate But this is much larger and
much important subject than that honorable Senator
to imagine. have the honor to represent in this
body the Military Committee and wanted to convert this
into what deemed to be practical subject subject
that interests him. having reference to the fertilization of
the coastof California well Of the Southern coast
and involving other matters felt that in doing
would give it, perhaps about practical application
it would receive in this body. Whether shall be per-
mited to do not care not. will, at any rate, do
my duty in my own humble way.
Mr.. GWIN. The Senator from Illinois (Mr. SHIELDs)
must reoollect that chairman of the Committee
Naval Affairs and that understand the bearing of this
question probably well as he does because the State
Of California, reckon is deeply interested in this
trsyersy with England any member of this Confede
racy have doubt that this resolution is to have
important bearing upon the future history of this
try; and therefore must give reasons for our
votes md the question presents itself whether no
practical question Of legislation contested with
this resolution had not better let the matter 60
for Executive declaration which is all that is proposed
by this resolution That the question had in view
know the Senator has examined this question in regard
to the military defence of the country has collected valu
able information upon it, and hope the results of his la
Dor will be put into the form of law before this session
closes As to dscoutesy to the chairman Of the Com
mttee Foreign Relations, thought or dreamed
of it. made the motion to postpone till the 4th of March
this resolution before that time perfectly willing
it should 60 the Committee Foreign Relations, with
the understanding that il should back form in
which act upon it.
Mr. DAVIS Mr. President, in regard to these resolu-
tons they declare general principle which approve.
do think they meet the question at issue at all The
real subject for consideration is growing out of the
treaty between and Great Britain, and need some
further information before undertake to give inter-
probation to them The great question in my mind is
whether or Great Britain has organized colony in
what is called the Bay Of Islands and If she has done
that the next inquiry Is is that or Is 1t not an infringe
ment of the late treaty?
Mr.. SHIELDS. The Senator will pardon me for cor
recting him in slight particular 1t is the Bay Islands
and not Bay Of Islands 1t IS properly, islands Of the
Bay.
Mr. DAVIS. Very WELL ii is quite immateral which
form of expression is used. They colony by some
such name and colony recently organized. Now, sir,
do not know that is entirely easy to ascertain oil the
facts which have direct bearing upon this question: but
in order comprehend the history Of these transactions
1t is important that the facts in regard to them should be
presented TO in form that is reliable. understand
by the treaty Of 1888 aud also Of 1886 between Spain
and Great Britain that Great Britain expressly renowned
all claim TO every part and portion Of this territory,
cept that conditional title which granted in what
called Belize. Well, sir these islands, IL appears "a
from examination Of the treaties constitute nc
part Of Belize Then ii to me, she has right
to them for she has renowned them.
Then, where do those islands belong Why, sir IL
apprehend the facts correctly the boundaries Of Central
America, the FIVE States which constitute it, coin
cident with the old kingdom Of Guatemala, with this
cepton: There small province at the lower end Of
Chapas taken of believe, and annexed to Mexico. If
renounced in those treaties and belong Central
America and probably to that portion Of them called the
province Of Honduras, - a
Now, sir, want 70 have these facts ascertained !