The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-25
British Colony In Honduras.

The crowning act of British aggression IN Central
America is consummated at last. The settlement at
Belize is elevated to the dignity OF British colony
An original claim "cut logwood" has rpened into
right OF sovereignty and dominion and the narrow limits
of purely commercial possession are expanded into
province Extending almost across the ocean,"
This Honduras episode makes interesting chapter IN
the story OF British aggression and illustrates the process
by which England plants and rears her colonies The
seizure of Belize originally act OF open piracy
British buccaneers found il aconvenien basis for their
operations, and without further question seized upon it.
Spain demonstrated and resisted. England discaimed,
yielded and renounced, but in fact released her
grasp abandoned her purpose. AT one time by subtle
and intrigue, at another by open violence and
usurpation-now by fraud, and by force, she con-
trived to keep possession of territory to which she
made preence of title, until in process OF time the
original occupancy o. outlaws became in some asrt legal
and leg mate In 1856 England acquired right Of pos
session in Belize for certain purposes only As late as
1877 il not more recently still, she disclaimed by her
public any right OF sovereignty in Honduras Her
and her encroachmenis progressed how
ever until at last have the intelligence that 'lhe Be-
lize or British Honduras. has been elevated to colony.
the superintendent converted into governor and
stituiion given to the people"
If the prevalent be the just construction of the Monroe
doctrine then haye here occasion for its appca
ton Here is an instance OF European colonization
the American continent By act OF imperial usur-
PATTON Great Britain approprates vast portion OF Amer
can SOIL subjects to the jurisdiction of colonial gov
eminent, and thus establishes position whence she may
exer, controlling influence in the affairs OF this
tinent.
Whether the Clayton Bulwer treaty comprehend British
Honduras within its operation not-wheher the con-
hdenal communication between the British minister and
the American Secretary be be OF binding obligation
on this govenmen-is point which Il is not necessary
to determine in order TO make the colonization Of Hondu
niracon of that treaty for it is not pretended
by the apologss of Clayton much less by other persons,
that either that treaty its secret protocol gives Great
Britain right to establish colony, with its governor and
constitution on soil which she is permitted TO hold for
certain commercial purposes only BY no possible con-
sructon can Great Britain wiring from the Clayton Bull
w.r treaty any semblance of authority to found
colony in Central America On the contrary, that treaty
expressly prohibits her from coonsing any of Cen
trial America But should it be ascertained that the
Enlistment of British colony in Honduras is infrsc-
ton neither of The Clayton Bulwer treaty nor OF The
Monroe doctrine it will then be met by the positive IN
terlc OF another presidential declaration, which no con-
.ucton can by possibility explain away Referring ex-
pressy to the contemplated colonization OF iuca@n
which embraces British Honduras) by Great Britain,
Mr. Polk in special OF the 10th OF April, ls4s,
made the following explci, and solemn declaration
Our own security requires that the established policy
thus annouaced" Che Monroe doctrine) "should guide
our conducts and this applies with great force the pc
ninsula of Yuca,an. 10 situate on the Gulf of Mert-
co, the North American continent, and frsm its ucnsy
Cuba to the capes of Florida, to Mem Orleans, o~d IN
deed. to phoe southeastern coast, WOULD DAN
sERous SECURITY Il IT SHOULD BECOME
COLONY OF ANY EUROPEAN POWER"
The intelligence OF the establishment Of British colo
ny in Honduras will impart additional ineres, and IN
poriance the debate in The Senate the resolutions Oh
General Cass The proper construction OF the Monroe
doctrine and the effect Of the Clayton Buwer treaty,
must be determined without delay. for the progress u
British aggression in Central America leaves 70 '"''
try the alternative only Of submission 10 an
outrage or of acquiescencc in the JUST anu ies''@e
growth OF British power