Weekly national intelligencer., 1853-01-15

which the Senator endeavored TO force into his
ment
But sir the Senator spoke of the treaties by which WI
settled disputes in Oregon and also the northeastern
frontier We contestants there. Both the United
States and Great Britain claiming the terr
tory IN the the northeastern, and in tho
other on the northwestern frontier We were parties n
the disputes, each claiming and settled the contest
by exact treaties defining precisely our limits and yield
ing in each case part Of what claimed Those are
very different from the present We claimed no in
teres in Central America. We had not the shadow Of
claim there. have undertaken to say how good
the title Of Great Britain is the possessions which she
holds in that region But did undertake to show from
historical authority, that her title obtained by
violation Of the permssye and special occupancy autho
rized by the Crown Of Spain; and showed how, in the
of tme il ceased to be the interest of Spain
gard the British encroachments and how Great Britain
consolidated her power in Honduras. As to the business
and right of her claim said nothing Irepeat it. meant
to leave as Mr. Clayton meant to leave it, neither affirm
ing denying any right of Great Britain leaving just
it was matter of fact without the sanction of his
treaty or the sanction Of his acknowledgment And
said that had not been the with that Administration
of which the Senator had been supporter referred
to Mr. Poks recognition of the authority Great Britain
this territory called Belize British Honduras But
the Senator from Michigan said he yet learn that
the appointment off consul TO the Belize gave
sort of acknowledgment to the title Of Great Britain to
the country.
Mr.. CASS. Ny remark was in reply to the honorable
| Senator from New York.
! Mr.. PEARCE But it applied equally to what said.
/
Missed the authority Of Great Britain this territory
/ Mr.. CASS. BY the appointment Of the consul.
/ Mr. PEARCE. Yes. But will read to the Senate
the commission OF the CONSUL signed by President Polk
and nasmuch the Senator from Louisiana thinks that
reference cannot fairly be made something written
without reading it in full, will do
"The President Of the United States to all who shall
these presents greeting:
Know ye, that reposng special and confidence
the abilities and integrity Of Christopher Hampstead of New
York have nominated and by and with the advice and
O
of America for the port of Belize in Honduras such other
ports shall be thereto than to the residence of
other consul vice consul of the United States hin the
agiance and do authorize and empower him to have
and hold the said Office and to exercise and enjoy all the
rights preeminences privileges and authorities TO the
right appertanng during the pleasure of the President Of
the United States for the time benghe demanding and
cevng fees perqustes Of Office whatever which shall
be expressly established by law of the said United
States And do hereby enjoin all captains masters and
commanders of ships and other vessels armed unarmed
sailing under the flag of the said States well all other of
their citizens acknowledge and consider him. the said Chris
topher Hampstead, accordingly. And do hereby pray
and request Britannic y governors officers
permit the said Christopher Hempstead fully and
ably enjoy and exercise the said Office without giving
suffering to be given unto him any molesption troubles
but the contrary to afford him all proper and
assanceI offering to do the for all those who shall III
like be recommended to by her said Jaesty'
i Mr.. CHASE. What book is that
j Mr.. PEARCE. 1t is Executive Document, volume 10,
i I849 and 1850.
Mr.. CASs That is the standing form of the commits
sion-a de tacto acknowledgment.
edgment of the authority of the British Government to
grant exequaur and therefore acknowledgment of
her jurisdiction de tdcto.
Mr. CAss. would ask the Senator if he supposes
that the form used in regard to the Mexican
and South American provinces before their independence
acknowledged and also in regard to Greece? 1t is
de deto acknowledgment Of the state of things with
out conceding the right at ALL 1t is not diplomatic
recognition.
4 Mr.. PEARCE. That is all Mr.. Clayton has done. He
has recognised the de co existence of the British autho
from the British Government Here is the letter Of Mr..
Hampstead informing the Secretary of State that he had
received it:
"s permit me to inform you that my commission together
with her Britannia Majestys exequaur has at length
rived and have commenced to act United States Consul
for this port"
That is what was done in that day, which it seems
hardly any of may venture to question do not
intend to do it. but desire to point out the contrast be-
tween the acts Of Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Clayton. Mr..
Clayton recalled this consul He did choose give
that sanction to the claim of the British authorities
He withdrew the sanction of this Government far
he could do 80 by recalling the consul.
The form of language employed is nothing more than
what is always used suppose. 1t is precisely that,
presume which would be found in the commission of he
consul to Liverpool But forms sometimes things,
and you would not pray exequatur Of any Govern
ment except that which exercised jurisdiction over
the place which the consul is sent Mr. Folks
mission Mr. Hampstead admits the jurisdiction of her
Britdnnic Aesty, whom and whose governors and Off
cers" the commission prays allow Mr. Hampstead to
need not occupy more of the time Of the Senate.
the late Secretarys defence upon his letter Mr.
King the then chairman Of the Senate's Committee
Foreign Relations their proper organ, and his reply de-
claring that the Senate perfectly understood that the
treaty did not include British Honduras"
| Mr.. B0RLAND. Mr.. President, / will not 90 into
discussion of the merits Of this question nor viii un-
TO what the opinion Of any other Senator
at the time this treaty ratified but appeal has
been made the Senate generally say what their
understanding respond by stating that my understand
ing of the treaty precisely that which has been
pressed by the Senator from Michigan and the Senator
from Louisiana. IL any other understanding of 1t
expressed this floor never heard of it until this dis
cussion sprang up. SO much for that.
sir voted against the ratification Of that treaty,
in reference to this particular question the
Of the British possessions whether those possessions
were rghtfuy held not; but voted against for
reasons The first was that recognised what is usually
called the Monroe doctrine and for that thought
that could not without being inconsistent recognise
even the right of Great Britain negotiate with
the possession and holding Of any provinces of any kind
in Central America, upon this continent in that direc
ten. And, in the next place, voted against II because
would by my voice bind the United States to alb
stain from the acquisition Of territory in that direction
in any other. deem it but Just to say this much for
myself because know that my feeling upon this subject
represents the unanimous voice Of my constituents
Mr.. S0ULE. Mr. President, there certain facts
connected with the history Of the negotiation Of this
treaty which have been overlooked by those gen
temen who have preceded in this debate and which
deem it important 70 place before the Senate was
amongst those who voted for the ratification Of the treaty
which has been the subject OF this debate and is but
natural that should be anxious well colleagues
in the Senate who have preceded me- state under what
promptings that vote given.