The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-13
Belize In Central America.

From elaborate article in u recent issue OF the
National Lssslligencer make the following extract:
1T that the Belize, British Honduras is or
part OF Central America, Of any Of the Gen.
| tral American republics. 1t originally part OF tho
province or inendency OF Yucaan, in Mfrico There is
be found, after the diigent search, single
book OF any authority kind, single map MOI even
chds atlas, that describes the Belize part Central
America British Honduras lies according the authori
ties which have undertaken to classify it, Nsrh
dmeicd"
The Itsgencer this position for the purpose
OF excluding the British settlements the Belize from
the operation Of that clause OF the treaty of Washington
July 4th. 1880, which prohibits the British government
from occupying, for'fying colonizng "sny part of
Central America" If the Belize be within the geoxraph-
cal limits OF Central America then is Secretary Clayton
cupabe for attaching condition TO the treaty Of
$780, inconsistent with its manifest meaning, and in con-
c with its legitimate effect For the purpose Of reey
ing the ex.Secretary from this painful dilemma, the
Intelhgencer controvers the allegation of the Union
that the British settlement of the Belize is within
The territory of Guatemala, and consequently within
the operation of the treaty of 1850 and defes us 10
produce authority in support of position This
is the issue which the Integeneer presents in defence
Of Mr. Clayton, doubtless with the advice and consent Of
the Secretary himself The Intaiigencer extends its
challenge in language rather peremptory than polite
nounces judgment which excludes all discussion New
erheess we will undertake to make good our position
and TO expose the ignorance OF the Inieuigeneer BY an
authority which sapient and supercious contemporary
even will not dare TO impugn. This authority is The re.
port OF the Senate Committee Foreign Relations This
committee have had under consideration the general suit
iect of British colonization in Central America, and on
| Friday last, through their chairman, Mr. Mason, they
itfed IN
able report. Hereafter propose to comment on the
report a, some length a, present must content our.
selves with the following extract. to which we invite
especial attention. would that the researches of
Mr.. Mason have produced the authority which the H..
| teAtgencsr positively stated did not exist:
The committee FAR have conducted the inouirv upon
the assumption that these British settlements on the Belize
lie altogether within the territory Of republic of Guae-
na'a They are, however, aware that this pion may
uot pass unquesoned In the treaty Great Britain
md Mexico. signed at London December ah 1896 il would
seem from expressions contained in article tina IL
vas considered between those two these settlements
might be in whole in part within the limits of Mexico
the State province of Yucaan-and by some of thu
European geogaphers (no Spanish) they spoken of
IA Yucatan. From the best infJrnaton how
'ver, open TO the commi teo thoy have formed decided
opinion that the boundaries allotted these s.ts NV
the treaties Of 1888 and SO before rserre TO- lie within the
republic of Guatemala.
In the year 1922 year after uaemsIa had declared
its Independence, that State together with Salvador
| and Honduras were overpowered by Iurbide then
| Emperor OF Mexico, and annexed TO the Mexo,n
mpre. But this connexion a short one, for
| ltuibde, then declining in power, was unable 10
maintain the conquest, and in the following year the
three States named succeeded in shaking of the Meri-
yoke and entered into preliminary with
the southern republics Of Nicaragua and COSTA Ric. for
coniederscy, which completed and proclaimed in
isA The province Of Chapas alone which bad formerly
peuained to Guatemala. adhered to Mexico remained
part OF the empire, it is OF tho Mexican coofsder
uon what preten'ions Mexico may have up Gf anvil
affecting the boundaries OF Guatemala to embrace
he settlements at Belize in consequence of this short and
violent connerou. the committee aware. but cor
Tain IL is they were never acceded TO by Guatcmaa
1t is well known that the actual boundaries between
Of these Spanish province. have been dehne
y settled, yet they may be roxmately ascsrtaned by
reference mountains and rivers actual papcy
| Tue Rio Hondo' 10 by treaty with Spain the northern
limit assigned to the English seitlers-ihat river IL
is claimed by Gustemas, lies wholly within its territory
In work entitled "A Descriptive, HISTORICAL and Geo.
graphical Account Of the Domnions OF Spain In The
western hemisphere by X. IA Bonnyoaste, cal tain in
the corps Of royal engineers, published London In
Il 1918, Fuu Pax,' which !. the n,rthern and west
ern province OF Guatemala, is bounded as fdovsi on
the north by the provinces OF Chapa and Yucatao the
by Honduras and the bay Gull of Honduras. the
south by Guatemala, Ian interior department namely
and the by the and Chiapss (vol l., pages
ls5, 1867 And on the map which auies the vol
nne although small sosle distinctly mark The
b,undares, the river Wallis Belize, would appear
marked In the province Of Vera Paz. Again, In atlas
published in Guaemala entitled An Atlas Of Gpatemas,
IN eight maps, prepared and engraved ia Guatemala by
order Of the chief of the State, G. D'Mariano Gslvez
Ia lisa the northern and boundary Of Guatemala,
although called 'lindero indehnido' dine undehnedD
h. thrown north Of the Rio Hondo, which river, both
o. the mrp of the republic of Guatemala and on
that OF the department Of yers Psz, contained in the
he sdas, is altogether within tho limits OF 'os
Vera Psz. This Atlas has been published in work en-,
tted Historical sketch OF the Revolutions OF Central
America, from 1911 to 1914 by Aeandro Manure, professor
of history and geography In tho Academy of Scenoes o.
the State of Guaemala &o., &c. in 1897, by whom was
compiled and the committee informed that on me
official map of Yuoatan, subscribed by Senior Negra as
commissioner Of that province published in lsts the SCUM
err boundary of that State sblsbei on the pa rsei
lse north latitude II this them according TO The AUS
Of Sen Marute, the rivers Bellies and Upon spon u
after OF which IL IN. southern limit Of the BRUSH see
ments) as well as part OF the Rio Hondo are "n'" 'N
province OF Vera Paz