Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-15

e are, In geographical language, synonymous. They
mean the same country And when you look at Guate-
maa upon the map laid down by Mitchell, the American
geographer you find that the Belize British Honduras
Is separated from Honduras proper by the intervening
Gulf of Honduras
have also Spanish map before me, and upon it this
country called British Honduras is marked in the Span
ish language the north side Of the Gulf Bay Of Hon
duras showing that it does not touch and did
stitute, any part of Honduras proper which fell within
the political division Of Central America" or the
eient political and geographical division known the
Captain Generally of Guatemala The gentleman from
Michigan therefore, if he win only take the trouble of
examining the divisions Of the territory under the Crown
Of Spain, and the subsequent divisions which took place
after the revolution and establishment Of the Govern
ment of Central America, viii find that the country called
the Belize" on some maps, and British Honduras
other maps did, either politically geographical
y constitute any part of Honduras proper Gaue
mala Of Central America There is therefore,
preston in the treaty term word which includes
the Belize and subjects it to the operation Of the treaty
Here sir is the Spanish map showing the truth Of what
l have stated Here is map made in l849, be-
fore the ratification Of the treaty. verifying what have
stated Here is also the history Of the times to
word which is much in vogue g the progress of Ame-
rca showing that under the monarchy the Belize const
tuted no part of Honduras Guatemala, Central Anne
RIGA and that under the republic it constituted part
OF either; and hence not included in the treaty.
Well mgh Mr. Clayton say, them in his correspondence
with Sir Henry Bulwer that the treaty sup
posed to aude any British interest connected with the
"Belize" British Honduras - both meaning the
same country. The latter doubtless given to
1t because it happens TO bound upon the bay called Hon
duras
So much for the controversy regard the continent
that portion of land lying upon the continent few
words now with regard to the islands.
Is it pretended that this treaty has any relation to any
Of the islands, Who dreams oft? No An island is
not included by name, by reference, by any thing of
the sort. How then does that question stand? II you
mean make issue under the Monroe doctrine in con-
sequence of the present colonization Of islands by Great
Britain it is matter wholly disconnected with the
y. The treaty has nothing to do with 1t whatever The
present Administration has had nothing to do with that
matter it is for the succeeding Administration to take it
in hand 1t is subject brought in here without any
bearing upon the past 1t cannot be made basis upon
which to crminate the Administration Of Gen. Taylor in
regard to this treaty is matter with which that
Administration had nothing in the world to do 1t does
appear that these settlements made at that tme
that the attention Of that Administration called to
them So far then, relates to the question growing
out of the settlement Of the islands referred to- it is
matter for the incoming Administration to handle. The
present Administration has had nothing to do with it, 1t
may constitute the basis of treaty. but until the
regular diplomatic agencies Of the country have taken the
subject up it me that it is altogether premature
and improper for the Senate to be speaking by way Of
anticipation in regard to matter to which the attention
of the Government has been called and which the
diplomatic of the country has never taken into con-
sderaton
have deemed it to be my duty present these evil
dences and geographical facts show that the whole of
the argument from the commencement, has been based
upon in point of geographical knowledge Gen
temen have proceeded upon the supposon that British
Honduras constituted part of that Honduras which is
included in and constitutes part of the Captain Gene
ralcy of Guatemala, Central America. There lies
the British Honduras is surrounded by Yucatan
which is claimed by Mexico part of her territory and
as one of the Mexican States Yucaan however, asserts
her independence Of Mexico. recoect very well that
when the Merida Indians reyolted against the authority
of the State of Iucatan had discussion the sub
ec years ago. in which the fact of this quasi indie
pendence of Yucatan from Mexico spoken of by Sena
tors then upon this floor.
n he maj hey
British Honduras part of Central America
but detached from by the intervening Bay Of Honduras
and surrounded except the shore by the Terrific
~ OF Yucatan. have impression that Yucatan was
separate colony, not connected with Mexico Guate-
maa at time prior to the revolution and establishment
ofrepubcs However that may be, feel confident after
throwing off the Spanish yoke, Yucatan in aienage
with Mexico, and refused for length of time to acknow
ledge her authority.
Mr. BoRLAND. wish to ask my friend from Ken
lucky question He says that what is called British
Honduras and these islands do belong what is gene
rally known the political community Of Hondurasthe
State of Honduras or whatever its name may be- and
therefore is not included within the treaty Will he be
SO good to tell to what geographical division Of the
world these islands, and this country called British Hon.
duras, belong? My for asking the question is
this find in the treaty that Great Britain not only
cludes herself from the right of occupying, coonzng
and settling permanently Guatemala Nicaragua, Costa
Rca and the Mosquito country, but also any part Of
Central America" Now, does what the Senator calls
British Honduras and these islands, belong any part
ofCentra America"
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. In answer to the gentlemans
question may say this: suppose that all the islands
within three leagues Of the shore in front Of that Hon.
duras which constitutes part of Central America
portion of Central America. think, if il be shown
that the authorities of Great Britain have taken posses
sion of island thus situated it would be violation Of
the treaty That is my opinion because all the islands
thus situated regarded appurtenant and belong
ing to the main land according to the laws Of nations
and hence fall within the usual jurisdiction which they
exercise but am not advised and has said that
any Of the islands Great Britain has taken possession
Of and is about to coonze, is thus situated Without
knowledge Of the fact therefore, cannot say whether
the treaty has been violated not but will say that if
she has taken possession island within three leagues
of the shore it is a violation Of the treaty
Mr.. B0RLAND. The gentleman does not properly un-
derstand my question was not whether these islands
belonged to Honduras but whether what he calls British
Honduras and these islands constitute any part Central
America and fno to what geographical division Of the
world they do belongg
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Well, sir, have already shown
that British Honduras is part Of Central America but
part of Yucatan in the Vice Royalty of New Spain,
Mexico and, regards the islands not appurtenant
to the Shore suppose they belong that geographical
division Of the earth which the map,
bracing Cuba Antigua and all the rest Of the West In
dia Islands, and classified believe, upon all maps
They laid down upon the maps islands situated in
the Gulf Of Mexico, and bear the Of West India
Islands," and owned by the different nations Of Eu
rope, except Hay which has by revolt and massacre
established her independence.
Mr. BUTLER. Mr.. President as my friend from Ken
lucky to have informed himself upon this subject
wish to PROFOUND inquiry 70 him, rather by way Of
informing myself if it be answered than otherwise
VIII he be pleased to tell to what political dominion
British Honduras belongs-wheher Guatemala Hon
duras2 heliexe II lie Britain has