Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-01-19
The Clayton and Bulwcr Treaty.

origin and nature of the controversy, we will give
succinct account Of the matter.
On the 9TH of July, 1850, treaty was ratified
OF Washington, between the Hon. JOHN NJ
CLAYTON, Secretary of State Of the United States
and Sir HENRY BUhwER, Minister of Great Brit.
ain, which stipulated that neither Power would
ever assume to exercise any dominion over any
part of Central America. The treaty originated
in the apprehension felt by each contracting party
that the other might acquire the control Of the pro-
posed ship canal, through the territory of NicaTa,
qua, 10 connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
and its object was the protection of the canal and
all otherinter-organ communications. The terms
of the treaty are very broad embracing. the whole
region known as Central America.
ltappears nov, however, from proclamation
issued by tn British authorities at the Balize in
Honduras, dated July II, 1852, that the British
Government has lately proceeded to establish q
new colony In that region, designated as the ''Col-
ony of the Bay of Islands," This proceeding be
coming known in the United States, the Senate
on motion of Gen. CAss, adopted resolution call
ing upon the President for information in reference
to it. The President replied, through Mr.. EVER.
ETT Secretary of State, saying that information
official or unofficial character requested, had
been received at the department, But Mr.. Ev-
ERETr communicated to the Senate note from
Mr.. CLAYTON to Sir II. BULwER, ofthe same dats
as tho treaty, in which the former expresses acqui-
escence in the Interpretation of the latter that the
treaty did not include the British settlement in
Honduras, nor the small islands in the neghbor.
hood and says, moreover, on the authority of the
! Hon. w. r. KING, then chairman of the Commit,
tee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, that the
Senate agreed to the treaty with that understand
ing. Mr.. CLAYTON states also in his note, that
the United States neither affirms nor denies the
British title to those possessions but leaves it as il
was before.
When these papers were laid before the Senate,
Gen. CAss announced that he had not understood
the treaty as excluding British Honduras, and that
Mr. KING had told him that he had given no in
formation to Mr.. CLAYTON such as was reported
by him to the British Minister. Forthwith vir-
ulent assault was made upon Mr.. CLAYTON by
several Democratic Senators; but the truth Of his
statement was subsequently established by the
publication of Mr.. KInd's note to him, containing
the alleged information, and the explanation Of
MIR. King himself that in the conversation with
Gen. CAss he had spoken under q misapprehen-
sion of the Subject. Other evidence has been ad-
duced to show that if these testy Democrats, who
are 50 ready to denounce and Willy Wing Sec
rotary, did not understand the treaty correctly, it
was their own fault, and they alone are RESPONSE
bic for their ignorance.
At first view it seems rather strange that the
comprehensive language of the treaty should be
restricted, so as to exclude British Honduras,
by mere notes passing between the two negatia-
tors; but the matter is fully explained by Mr..
SEWARD in his speechof Monday week He says
the term Central America" has geographical
and political sense. The term as used in the
treaty. has the latter sense and referred to the five
States on the isthmus, formerly united and known
as ''the Federal republic of Central America
That Republic did not include the British posses
sions, which consequently arc not included in the
treaty.
The Question next arises whether the half dozen
islands comprising the new Colony are part Of
British Honduras, and therefore comprehended in
the exceptions to the treaty. 1t is commended by
some that they are not, and that consequently the
authority asserted over them at present by the
British Government is an infraction of the treaty
and an infringement of the ''Monroe doctrine" that
no European power should be permitted by the
United States to erect new colonies on the Amerl-
can continent We are inclined to regard that
doctrine, broadly asserted, as the worst kind of a
humbug, but if it is really to be enforced by our
Government the occasion has now probably arisen
The British have had settlements in Honduras
for great many years, but their title is said to
rest solely on grant from Spain of the right to
cut dye-wood and mahogany. Theirtitle was adj
mtted to some extent by Mr.. Polk, in the APP
pointment of Mr.. HgMPsTEAD as consul at the Ba-
| lie. The commission of the consul was revoked
however, by Mr.. CLAYTON in 1850, as he did not
wish to recognize any territorial rights of Great
Britain in Honduras, and since then there has been
no officer of our Government in that quarter.
0o- Several Democratic papers cf the State are
down upon the Legislature for their neglect ofthe
public business. Give it to them, we say, but re-
member that the Democracy are responsible, they
having full swing in both houses of the General AS
sembly. They have resolved to adjourn on the
25th of February, with the mental reservation,
If nothing happens to prevent. A variety ofim-
portant business, however, will happen to keep
them in Richmond after that date, unless they stir
their stumps and show more industry during the
next month than they have exhibited heretofore
es- The Hon. John NJ. Clayton was on We'd
nesday elected to the United StatesSenats by the
Legislature of Delaware for six years from the 4th
of March next. The Hon, Presly Spruance; whose
term then expires, declined reelection. The
friends of Mr. CLAYTON at Washington and VIII
minptos were greatly elated at his success, and
hundred guns were fired at the latter place in
honor of the result,
Gs- The Richmond Wig saws one object 1.-THE
recent attacks in the House of De- upon the
James River and Kanawha Canal, was te trainer
the Presidency of the Company to other hands
The President is Democrat, to be sure, but II is
now the fashion for Democrats to devour Demo-
Gratis. Some other Democrat wants the place and