The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-08

1
themselves TO sanction the said OF the Spanish
monarch; in consequence Of which the English settler
Hondo but never took any TO disoecupy III.
country 10 the west and south. which, in every view they
had only held as an equivalent"
II then goes on to say:
In consequence ofthe grants of land made Of hat
tory by the State OF Guatemaia certain Central American
cinzens and European colonization compaay. the su
honues OF Belize took upoa themselves la November last
70 declare their limits TO be the Honda the north, the
sats.ooa on The soa and on the ives. line drawn parallel
exceeding the old grant by at least fve-iold"
Here. then, is complaint made by our sister republic,
The confederation OF the centre of America. TO the United
States upon whose justice and strength relied against
these British aggessons at Honduras Bay, in which they
slate their te and that their boundary The Rio Hon
do. The honorable senator from Delaware says that no
earthly credit Is to be given 10 what from that quar-
ter because they are interested and for what does
he sayu What is the end to be attained by the hon
orable senator, II he could prove his proposition be
true that these settlements are not in Central America
except that he would then show they were Withdrawn
from the obligations of the treaty OF 1850
Sir, there was communicated by that gentleman, Col
Gaindo 10 Mr.. Forsyth, paper which none can read
without seeing that il 10 the work of oi ability. II
IS remonslrance drawn up by certain Mr.. Annta,
who, Colonel Galindo informed the Secretary,
member OF the Congress OF the confederation from the
State OF Guatemala II was published in Guatemala, and
was intended 10 present TO the people of Guatemala their
true position in reference to the British setiIements and
he draws picture which will show 10 and to any who
will read it, that these settlements within the territory o.,
Guatemala not only caused endless discord and trouble,
but would ruin the OF Guatemala by the cupid
,y OF British merchants This gentleman, member Of
the Congress OF Central America. also claims, in direct
terms that me whole OF the settlements are within their
territory His language is this:
{" Ia the year 1888, the Spanish government which
until then exercised in this country the power which
they had acquired by conquest, agreed that he subjects
wood within the distIic prescribed for them, beWee be
rivers Hondo and Baze, or Belese, which in
tpry."
He then goes on to depict the mischefs the INJURIES
and the evils under which the republic of Guatemala
was laborng, on account OF the conraband trade
red in the British settlements. He speaks have
read OF the aggressions of the settlers extending their
limits beyond the proper southern boundary, and he
says:
But the transaction OF which they ought be ashamed
is by strange process made the ground OF title; for
those gentlemen affirm that they have gh, TO retain all
hs hsy oes"Psa , up 10 hs is % true
activity and our apathy, would they not soon pretend
s y "s aa mans m % IN
nces that composed the ancient kingdom Of Guatemala,
some of its inhabitants advance other arguments, which,
although easy 10 reu'e II not the object which have
Now, Mr.. President, il has been assumed on the
part OF The Committee Foreign Relations, have
assumed in the debate here, fact upon which the
action of this is TO be founded in reference
to the British treaty, that these possessions in Gen.
trail America. assume only so far we are informed
that the weight OF authority is on that side. say that
the republic of Guatemala claims it-caims it not only
through her official documents, to which have referred
but through her official maps; and that in the present
prima Jacis true Sir during the last Congress a mission
Instituted to these governments of Central America
and minister will be sent there doubtless with the in
strucon 10 obtain and report TO his government
information upon this whole subject, and particularly
to the aphca position OF these British settlements.
We shall probably know al the session OF Congress
whether those settlements are in Central America not,
aud when that fact s established the proper action OF
the government will follow in respect to the treaty of
1850.
The report of the Committee on Foreign Relations on
this branch OF the inquiry committed TO them, submits
only that pr,ma face the title is with Guatemala and If
this be the result in regard Eugand in reference TO
TO the treaty is that her settlements there remain unds
iubed, within the limits and under the rights acquired
from Spain. But she has not the right 10 colonize,
forufy, 10 assume TO exercise any dominion ju
nsdcion greater than that existing before the treaty of
1850.
Mr. President do not intend prosecute this discus
sion further Whenever question shall up be-
tween The COVER the United States and Eng
land as TO the proper construction OF this treaty the
s,ipulaons in regard TO Central America, to the
effect, if any, upon the text OF the treaty by the subse
quent declaration and correspondence between the Secre
tary OF State and the British minister shall be pre-
pared TO meet H. Sir peace in our beloved country is to
be preferred everything, except national safety and
national honor That statesman that man who would
precIpate his country into war earelessly reckessy,
or idly, upon the assertion OF any abstract opinion would
go down. as he would deserve, 10 poserity with
ton. But that statesman that who would leopard
the national honor the national safety from any fear OF
war, would go down with deeper execration still. For
one prepared to say, that while fair legitimate
just construction is TO be given 10 the treaty. Eng
must be held strictly to it's engagements The govern.
menis of Central America weak and feeble they
poweress against England In 1895 she refused hear
Their remonsrance against aggressons under British
authority Now, by this treaty OF 1885, the honor OF this
country sterny committed to preserve the integrity OF
every part Of Central America, as essential to our own
safety.
Sir, the government OF Old England is known-well
known II great, mighty, and powerful, and not great.
mighty, and powerful alone, hut wise and gacous,
Look at her Why IT has been truly said that the
never upon her dominion The world is circed by
her "maral airs was beautifully and strongly said
by the lamented Webster. Look at our own connen
From the island of Trinidad, at the mouth OF the Ori
noco, 10 The Cape Of Florida you find her enirenched
Gordon OF islands We cannot put her out OF them. She
commands the southern outlet of the Caribbean and
at the Bahamas, the Cult Of Mexico She is fortified
everywhere. Whyi To protect her fleets in state Of
and further her commerce in state OF peace. How
is it in the eastern hemisphere She commands the
Mediterranean at GIbraar the pass between Africs
and Sicily, Malta; and recently late 1899, she
has mastered the enterprise OF commanding the route to
India, by sezing the fortress of Alden the Straits OF
Babemandel, the Arabian "Gate of Tears" | do not
complain OF that. We have no right 10 complain Eng
land is wise 10 her generation. She reposes upon her
strength II other nations permit her TO seize and
retain such srongholds the eastern hemisphere be II
so but upon this continent she has far as she
can CO. consistent with the safety and interest OF this
county. Now, sir. | am prepared 10 make no charge.
am uninformed upon the subject We are told that
these British settlers at the Belize constantly tres
passing upon Central America that they have endeav
ored than to seize the fay islands and colon
ize them Intelligence in the public journals OF this very
ras by the British authorities there Still they in
port and rumor only. make, therefore, charge OF
bad faith or violation OF the treaty. because have NOT
Information 10 Justify me in making such charge But