Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-15
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE CLAYToN-BULwER TREATY.


The injunction of secresy having been remov-
ed from certain documents contemporaneous and
connected with the negotiation and ratification of
the Treaty of 1850, between the United States
and Great Britain, we lose no time in placing them
before our readers, that nothing may be wanting
Chat we can supply to a complete history Of the
transaction.
Message from the President Of tie United States.
April %, 1850
Rssd Foreign and order
to be printed in confidence for the the
TO The Senate Of The United States:
herewith transmit to the Senate their advice with
regard to its ratification convention between the United
States and Great Britain concluded at Washington the
18th instant by John NJ Clayton Secretary Of State
the part Of the United States and by the Right Honora
BILE Sir Henry Lyton Bulwer the part Of Great Britain
This treaty has been negotiated in accordance with the
general views expressed in my message to Congress in
December last Its object is to establish commercial
alliance with all great maritime States for the protection
Of contemplated ship canal through the territory Of Nj
caragua to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and
at the same time to ensure the same proeconto the con-
tempaed railways canals by the Tehuantepec and Pa
routes, well to every other interoccanc
municaton which may be adopted to shorten the transit
to or from our Territories on the Pacific
1t will be that this treaty does not propose to take
money from the public treasury to effect any object con-
templated by it. 1t yields protection to the capitalists
who may undertake to construct any canal or railway
the isthmus commencing in the southern part Of
Mexico and terminating in the Territory Of New Granada
1t gives preference to any route another but
proposes the Of protection for all which IN
genuity and enterprise construct Should this treaty
be ratified it viii in future the liberation Of all
Central America from any kind Of foreign aggression
At the time negotiations were opened with Nicaragua
for the construction of canal through her territory
found Great Britain in possession Of nearly half Of Cen
tal America the ally and protector Of the Mosquito
King. 1t has been my object in negotiating this treaty
only the passage across the isthmus to the
Government and citizens Of the United States by the
struction Of great highway dedicated to the uses Of all
nations equal terms, but to maintain the independence
and sovereignty Of all the Central American republics.
The Senate will judge how far these objects have been
effected.
If there be any who would desire to seize and
any portion Of the territories of these weak sister repub
lies to the American Unon to extend our dominion
Them do not in their policy; and wish 1t
be understood in reference to that that adopt
the views entertained, far as know by all my prede-
cessors
The principles by which have been regulated in the
negotiation Of this treaty in accordance with the SEN
timents well expressed by my immediate predecessor on
the 10th of February 1847 when he communicated to
the Senate the treaty with New Granada for the protec
ton of the railroad at Panama 1t in accordance with
the whole spirit Of the resolution of the Senate Of the Sd
of March, 1885, referred to by President Polk and with
the policy adopted by President Jackson Immediately
agent Central America and New Granada to open
gotatons with those Governments for the purpose of eff
fectuay protecting by suitable treaty stpulaons with
them such individuals companies as might undertake
to open communication between the Atlantic and Pacific
by the construction Of ship canal the 18TH
mus which connects North and South America and OF
securing forever by such spulaons the free and equal
right Of navigating such canal to oil such nations on the
payment of such reasonable tolls might be established
compensate the capitalists who should engage in such
undertaking and complete the work."
also communicate herewith copy of the correspon
dence between the American Secretary Of State and the
British Plenipotentary, at the time Of concluding the
treaty Whatever honor may be due to the party first
proposing such treaty justly belongs to the United
States My predecessor in his message Of the 10th of
February l847 referring to the treaty with New Granada
should the proposition be rejected, may deprive the
United States of the Just influence which its acceptance
might secure to them and confer the glory and benefits
Of being first among the nations in concluding such
rangement upon the Government either Of Great Britain
France. That either Of these Governments would
brace the offer cannot well be doubted because there
does not appear to be any other ectua Of
ing to all nations the advantages of this important pas
sage but the guaranty Of great commercial Powers that
the sthmus shall be neutral territory The interests of
the world at stake important that the security Of
this passage between the two cannot be suffered to
depend upon the and revolutions which may arise
among different nations
Should the Senate in its wisdom see fit to confirm this
treaty and the treaty, heretofore submitted by for
their advice In regard to its ratification negotiated with
the State of Nicaragua the Sd day of September last
it will be necessary to amend both of them, that
both treaties may stand in conformity with each other in
their spirit and intention The Senate will discover by
examining them both that this is task of great diff
Guilty,
baye good 10 believe that France and Russia
stand ready to accede 70 this treaty. and that other
great maritime State win refuse its accession to
rangement well calculated to duse the blessings Of
peace, commerce. and civilization, and honorable to all
nations which may enter into the engagement.
z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, April %, 1850.