The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-17


morrow. abstract embracing the material portions OF
the interesting and instructive Report upon Reciprocal
Trade between the United States and the British
North American Provinces. which we have already no.
ced as having been submitted 10 the House of Repre-
sentatives by Hon. D. L. Seymour OF New York, the
chairman OF the Committee on Commerce
The National InteIIig encer-The Seizure Of
San Juan de Nicaragua.
The National Inteligeneer in the conclusion OF its
article of Saturday, the 9Th instant. makes the following
grave charge against the administration OF Mr. Polk
We quote it's language In that event chad not the
Clayton Bulwer treaty been concuded) the British would
have continued to extend their dominion and occupation
in the Central American States, which constantly
increasing during the administration of Mr. Polk, pih
achose knowledge and acquescenee The British expedition
der Captain Look attacked and took the to,on of San Juan de
Nicaragua and the fort Of Serapique, at the very time
we making the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; and
long this, there might perhaps not have been left
patch of the country OF Central America unsubdued
by the British power"
In this instance the National lelhgeneer has dotted it's
usual Oily Cannon character-its practice of saying the
things in the mildest manner-and has boldly
charged the late President not only with knowledge of
the Infamous expedition of Great Britain against San
Juan de Nicaragua, in February, s4s but with acqu-
escng in the capture Of that important position from the
feeble State of Nicaragua which entitled to all
our sympathes. According TO our neighbor, he was
accessory before the fact. well after the fact
to that British outrage The enormity OF the offence
requires that it should be sustained by the clearest
proof But although this charge has been made in the
sashing style of the Democratic Review, not single
IS hos haan n, III
contrary the editor, the very he penning
this article, had before him the instructions of Mr.
Buchanan to Mr. Hise, our charge daifaes to Gaute-
maa dated the Sd June, 1913, appears from his
quotations from il and these very instructions convict
him Of having made this charge agains, President Polk
with full knowledge that it false. They speak oil
this outrage committed by Grea, Britain the State Of
Nicaragua in the indignant terms which 1t well de-
served and so lar from MIR. Polk having known
guessed in it. the mission of Mr. Hse evidently
intended to lay the foundation of efeclua resistance
10 the entertainments of that power the Mosquito
coast.
Mr. Polk, throughout his whole administration
jealous consistent, and persevering advocate of The
Monroe doctrine He never failed to assert it against
Great Britain even in the face OF difficulties and danger
whenever the occasion required and tins with the hap
pest effect In his frs, annual message 10 Congress oil
December o. ls45, such occasion presented. He had
good reason TO believe that Great Britain had design
on the harbor of San Francisco and the then Mexican
province OF California Its colonization large scale
had been undertaken under the auspices Of Irish
priest, who was a British subject and efforts, TO which
need specially refer. were in progress to
psh the object San Francisco Of the mand
ing harsors and commercial positions which Grea
Britain has throughout her entire history always grasped
when within her power, by any means, right wrong
Under these circumstances. Mr. Polk, in his first annua
message, even when the Mexican war was impending
after reasserng the Monroe doctrine in a bold and EN-
phatc manner and in its broades, terms. distinctly an
nounced to the world, settled policy that utur,
European colony or dominion SHALL with consent BE-
planted or established any part of the North American
continent" The concluding declaration confined IL
North America, so as 10 distinctly NEE, the occasion
and make apply emphahcally to California. Tn,
announcement OF this determined policy produced the
happest results. Pie British plan Of colonization il
California was abandoned, and never had any furtbe
difficulties on this subject
The capture OF the city OF Mexico in September 1877, at
fordng well grounded hopes that the Mexican war would
speedily terminate, President Polk Immediately directed
attention the OF the British government
on the territories OF the Central American States under
the pre,ence OF being the protector OF the King and king
dom OF the Mosquito Indians. Accordingly, after reer-
ang the Monroe doctrine in his annual message OF 9Th
December, ls47, he recommended that appropriation
might be made to deray the expense OF charge DAFT
flares Guatemala by far the most popuous and power
ful OF these States The appropriation made. ant
Elijah Hise Of Kentucky, appointed charge d'aaire,
early in the month Of April IsAs.
Soon after the appointment OF Mr. Hise, and nearly two
months before his departure from the United States
contingency occurred which rendered /, proper for Mr.
Polk 10 make solemn and sgnifcan, declaration to III,
world Of his settled and determined policy to maintain tn,
Monroe doctrine any hazard, against Great Britain
all other European nations.
We all recolect the war OF determination which wa
wagel in Is47 and ls4s between the Indians and tn,
white population OF Yucatan To such extrenites wer
the whites reduced, that they offered TO transfer h
United States the dominion and sovereignty OF the pc
nnsua" as the consideration for defending against thu
Indians The authorities Of Yucatan also gave explci
notice to our government, that their application
to for aid and protection should be rejected, ihel
would make similar offer and appeal to The British anC
Spanish governments. Under these circumstances, Mr.
Polk, on the Goth April, lsis. transmitted his specia
message, recommending to Congress the appeal OF Yucca
tan for aid and projections against the savages but de
cuing to recommend the adoption OF any measure will
view to the acquisition OF the dominion and sove