Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-26

Senator from Michigan and those who acted in
with him in ratfying t-neher obyates any one Of my
objections.
In the first place, unwilling into treaty
stpulations with Great Britain any other European
Power in respect to the American continent by the terms
OF which, should pledge the faith Of this Republic
do in all coming time that which in the progress of
events interests duty and even safety may compel
to do. / have already said, and now repeat, that
every article clause and provision of that treaty pred
Gated upon virtual negatioh and reputation of the
Monroe declaration in relation to European colonization
this continent The article inviting any Power on
earth with which England the United States are on
terms of friendly intercourse to enter into similar stpu-
atons and which pledges the good Offices of EACH when
requested by the other, TO aid in the new negotiations
with the other Central American States and which
pledges the good Offices OF NIL the nations entering into
the alliance to settle disputes between the States and
Governments of Central America only recognises the
right of European Powers to interfere with the affairs Of
the American continent but invites the exercise Of such
right and makes it obligatory to do in certain
1t establishes, in terms alliance between the contract
ing parties and invites all other NATIONS become par
ties to it, was opposed also to the clause which stpu
ates that neither Great Britain the United States will
occupy coonze exercise dominion oyerany por-
ton of Nicaragua Costa Rca the Mosquito coast any
part of Central America did not desire then, do
now, to annex any portion OF that country to this Union
l do not know that the time will ever come in my day
when would be willing to do Yet was unwilling to
give the pledge that neither successors
would This is an age of rapid movements and great
changes How long is it since those who made this
ty would have told that the time would
when would want California any portion of the Pa
cifc coast? California being State of the Union who
is authorized say that the time will not arrive when
our interests and safety may require to possess
portion of Central America which lies half way between
our Atlantic and Pacific possessions and embraces the
great water lines Of commerce between the two oceans
think it the wiser and safer policy to hold the control Of
action and leave those who after us
untrammeled and free to do whatever they may deem
their duty, when the time shall arrive They will hayea
better right to determine for themselves when the neces-
sty for action may arise than have prescribe
the line of duty for them was equally opposed that
other clause IN the article which stipuates that
neither party will forfy any portion of Central
America or any place commanding the entrance the
canal or IN the vicinity thereof 1t not reciprocal for
the that it leaves the Island of Jamaica British
colony strongly fortified the military and naval
station to the line of the canal 1t is therefore equiva
lent to stipulation that the United States shall never
have maintain any forfcation in the vicinity of or
commanding the line of navigation and commerce through
said canal while England may keep and maintain those
she now has
| was not satisfied with the clause in relation to the
British protectorae over the Mosquito coast is equi
vocal in terms, and with certainty whether
the true construction excludes the protectorae from the
continent or recognises its rghul existence and imposes
restraints upon its and exercise Equiyoca terms in
treaties easily understood where the stpulations are
between strong Power the hand and feeble
the other The stronger enorces its construc
ton and the weaker has alternative but reluctant
quescence. In this case neither party may be willing
recognise the potential right Of the other prescribe and
enforce construction of the equyoca terms which shall
enable to appropriate to itself all the advantages in ques
ton. 1t would seem that Government have not
venured to insist upon rigid enforcement Of the pro-
visions of the treaty in relation the British protectorate
over the Mosquito coast in the in which it
planned and understood when submitted the Senate for
ratification Has the British protectorate disappeared
from Central America l am referring to the mat
tiers in controversy between certain Senators who support
ed the treaty and Mr. Clayton in respect to the Belize
settlement. | alads to the Mosquito coast which by
and in terms, is expressly made subject the pro-
visions Of the treaty Has the British protectorae dis
appeared from that part Of Central America Have the
British authorities retired from the port Of San JUAN and
thereby recognised the right Of American citizens and
vessels to arrive and depart free Of hndrance and
lesation Is it not well known that the protectorate is
continued and maintained with increased vgor and bold
ness Is not the British consul at San Juan actively
engaged in disposng Of the SOIL conveying town lots and
lands and exercising the highest functions Of sovereignty
under the pretext OF protecting the rights Of the Mosqu
to King? These things are being done openly and with
out disguise, and well known to the world Can any
Senator inform whether this Government has taken the
slightest notice Of these transactions Has our Govern
ment enteredi protest against these infractons the
treaty, or demanded specific compliance with our IN
derstandng Of its terms How long to wait for
Treat britain TO abandon her occupancy and withdraw
her machinery Of Government Nearly three years have
elapsed since boastngy told that BY the proyi
sons Of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty Great Britain
expelled from Central America Shall we wait patiently
until our silence shall be construed into acquiescence in
her right to remain and maintain her possessions!
But there another insuperGble objection to the
Clayton and Buwer treaty which increases enarges and
extends the force of all the obnoxious provisions have
pointed out allude to the article in which it is pro-
yided that
The Governments Of the United States and Great Britain
having not only desired TO accomplish particular object but
also to establish general principle, they hereby agree
tend their protection BY treaty tpuaions any other prac
tcable communications whether by canal railway
the Ishmus which connects North and South America
pcciay TO the nteroceanc communications should the
prove TO be practicable whether by railway which
proposed to be established by the Of Tehuanepc
or Panama"
The particular object which the parties had IN view
being thus accomphshed-the Hise treaty defeatedthe
exclusive privilege to the United States surrendered and
abandoned and the European partnership established
yet they not satisfied They were not content 10
accomplish particular object, but desired
LIsH GENERAL PRINCIPLE - That which, by the terms
Of the treaty, particular and local the States
of Central America s, in this article extended Mex
the NORTH and to New Granada on the SOUTH and
declared to be general principle by which any and all
other practicable routes Of communication the 18TH
mus between North and South America be govern
cd and protected by the allied Powers. New and add
uonal treaty spuatons TO be entered into for this
purpose and the network which had been prepared and
spread all Central America to be extended far
enough into Mexico and New Granada to cover all the
lines Of communication whether by railway canal and
especially TO include Tehuantepec and Panama. When it
Is remembered that the treaty establishes al
lance between the United States and Great Britain and
engages to invite all other Powers with which either is
on terms oil friendly intercourse TO become parties its
PROVISIONS II will be that this article seeks make
the principles Of the Clayton pnd Bulwer treaty the law
Of nations in respect to American affairs The general
principle is estabshel the right Of European Powers
intervene in the affairs Of American States IS recognised
the proprety Of the exercise of that right is acknowledge
ed and the extent which the allied Powers shall carry
their protection and the limits within which they shall
c0nhne their operations subject stipuaons