The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-08
The Clayton Bulwer Treaty.--The Scorct Con.
struCtiOn

The Clayton Bulwer Treaty.-Tho secret Con-
structiOn.
No man who feels that delicate sensbiliiy TO any
proach upon the honor Of his country which 10 nsepara
BILE from true patriotism can contemplate without shame
and regret act of dupcy or bad faith on the part OF
official personases in the government. Under the in
fuence OF this sentiment feel uneigned reluctance
to expose in its just enormity the conduct Of Secretary
Clayton in respect to the ratification OF the treaty be-
tween Great Britain and this government of the 4th of
July, 1850 No American can read the exposition Of
the conduct OF the exSecretay in this Affair." made in the
progress Of Thursdays debate in the Senate. without
blush for the furnished honor Of his country To this
debate and TO the conduct of Secretary Clayton
constrained to refer in vindcang ourselves from the
unjust censure of the National Inielligsneer.
In the Unoa OF Thursday il said that "the couE-
try will learn with establishment that, by private under
standing between Secretary Clayton and Sir Henry Bull
wer, Honduras and it dependencies excluded from
the operation Of that clause Of the treaty OF 1850 which
forbade British colonization in Central America" This
declaration made in allusion the information COM
munica,ed in the special message Of the President
The Inegsnesr. in contoverting the trsth OF the al
legation that the interpretation put upon the treaty by
Secretary Clayton and Sir Henry Buwer was unknown
to the country before the publication OF the private notes
exchanged between the negoators, makes the follow
ing statement
The most material part OF the n.ormaron has been in
the possession of tho reading public for the space Of
entire year and half Though so old, however, il 10
either the democratic official journal never 10
have been heard OF before old have already
forgotten"
And again:
We TO the file Of the Natio~ai Iateuisencsr for
the evidence about produce, that no mystery
thnt
date and that. Ear from affecting attempting any con.
cealment this subject. information was contempor,.
neou'y, spontaneously, and openly given by the admin
raton TO This journal and by this journal pa rod TO tbs
public, of the scope and bearing OF that treaty"
II is difficult to repress emile at the grave presunp
tion and sefsucien Importance OF The venerable oman
OF sntiquaed federalism The information was given
10 THIS journal by the administration and by rms Jour
nal impaired TO the public The Senate knew nothing
OF the secret construction put upon the treaty although
was the duty OF the President advise them fully OF ,s
deails, bearing, and effect The country was AZ igno.
rant OF The matter as the Senate But the Ineugs~sr
was perfectly familiar with the whole affair Admitted
TO the inmost recesses OF cabinet confidence il was all
absze with Ugh, when The whole country was shrouded
IN darkness" Nor was this its only glory; for il filled the
sacred function OF interpreter 10 the oracle and explained
The doubtful import of It's mystic messages For the IL
norance Of the democratic official organ we plead it's e.
clusion from the only source OF information Upon The
Inegtneer was concentrated all the radiance OF Exec.
u'ivc inspiration. We commend the discretion OF III.
administration" in selecting The Ineihgencer al the de-
poslioy OF lis secret for, while the Tni sene<y pre-.
tends to have impaired the public the scope and hear
ing OF the treaty." will undertake TO say that no in
genuiy could extract from lis language the fact that Sec
rotary Clayton had assented TO secret condition which
entirely snnulleJ the effect of the treaty By the Ian
susge Of the treaty, Great Britain forbidden ito oc
cupy, or fortify. coonizr assume any dominion
over, Nicaragua, Costa Rca, the Mosquito coast, or osy
part Of Cenfr1 Amtrieo." And now the Isteilteuuy
complains that the country did su6er lie vague and
absurd Interpretation TO abfogae the plain provisions OF
The treaty Was the solemn and unequivocal laneuag,
oil the treaty itself TO explain its eject or was is mani
es' intent and operation TO be intercepted by The cloudy
construction oil political newspaper The "sponta.
neous and eon'emporaneous information" impaired 10
the public by the National Intaigencer was unbeedsd
by the Senate as il was disregarded by u.s. Being in
papabe conflict with the irresistible operation OF the
plain provisions Of the treaty. regarded The ntepre
aiion OF the Integenesr, by which the rights and dig
nifty OF the United States SURRENDERED but another
instance OF that subservency TO British interests which
Is the characteristic instinct of thai journal II was pos
sble that the Intsngencer might stuy itself by
wananlable and absurd Interpretation OF he treaty,
bu, had suspicion hat spoke the secret turposs
of the administration.
The Inf.Ligencer says that no mystery yelled III.
import and effect Of the treaty at the tire Of It's date,
and that the information contained in The message OF
The President has been IN the possession OF the reading
public for the space Of an entire year and half This
equvoca language is meant TO involve The assertion that
The secret Interpret given 10 the treaty b Secretary
Clayton matter OF general notoriety The date OF
is ratification. Upon This point we will let the Senate