The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-24
The Central American Question


Central America has presented in practical shape TO the
government and people of the United States The whole
subsct Of our relations with that part OF the American
continent and OF true policy in regard to it, Before
we touch any OF the special circumstances which com
pcate and perhaps embanass that poicytwo capital ani
commanding facts appear upon the threshold OF the
question 1.-THE first place, this mission from the Uaitcd
States to Central America looks 10 the openng Of nc
goiaops between two portions OF Independent scpnb.
lea, ime,ica, in relation to their interests
American republics. In the second place, these inde-
pendent Central American republics lie, for all practical
purposes OF travel and commerce, dreey The Mg fardy
between two great sections OF the United States. Until
overland communication is established through the valley
OF the Mississippi from New York San Francisco,
must travel over this shmus go from the Atlantic
TO The Pacific slope of the Union The relation, therefore,
10 which these republics practically stand TO for the
present is much what il would be il they geogrdph-
stay atsr posed between the two continental divisions
oil our territory
These two primary aspects of the Central American
question manfesy indicate the only policy in which
ii can be solved In this view 1t is impossible imagine
question exclusively American II is question
between independent republican this con
tnen, whose territory is practically inieaced and whose
interests are in Now, laying actual diplomatic
arrangements out of the case, what one doctrine of pub
lie law, wha, principle Of sound public policy, can
warrant the slightest interference in such question by
any European power' Can any case arise--can any be
conceived-whch its face, and in all its controlling
general principles, will clearly illustrate the wisdom
completely justify the application OF the Monroe
doctrine in its largest extent'
Unfortunately, during the late wing administration
very different policy has prevailed in The management of
our relations with Central America. There British
occupancy for the purpose OF cutting logwood-a mere
occupancy without any preence OF righlful territorial
sovereignty and ursdicon--a The Belize There was
British Mosquito Proecoraie OF which the British gov
appears to have now become very tired and per-
baps little ashamed Neither of there facts made any
British sovereignty OF jurisdiction in Central America
legitimate. The Pro,ectorate, even if real could give
only Indian title The Belize settlement gave only
right OF usuiruc for special purpose defined and limited
by an old treaty with Spain Yet these facts furnished
the only pre,eace upon which Great Britain could found
any claim 10 appear OF the parties in the Clayton.
BulweI treaty. Her maiius 10 making that treaty was 10
share with US in the construction and protection and
control Of thoroughare across this continent which
TO her was only route 10 the Pacific, while 10 us
II was Indispensable not only TO the Pacific bu
from paEt OF the Union to The other The conces.
son by to Great Bnsin in the Clay ton Deliver treaty
of jool interest and control in such route was per-
baps the largest concession ever made by one ndepenI
sn government 10 another upon a claim so fimsy and
urged in motive so pregnant with causes OF Jistrus
Yet this bat The beginning OF The concessions made by
US IN the treaty. The caral would be made by com.
Paby We agreed that Great Britain should join US 10 pro-
'eeling The company. There disputed boundary ques-
hon between Costa Riea and Nicaragua We agreed that
Great Britain should join us in aiding 10 settle it and
the WtbsterCrampton propositions OF last year. which
COSTA Rca accepted aud which Nicaragua refused are
the first ffnt Of that agreement Another proposition 10
The same end has been soce submitted 10 The United
States by Great Britain, aud made known 10 Congress
o'her routes across the shmus were in contemplation
especially those Of Panama and Tebuantepec. IN
order 10 establish general principle" We agreed 10
associate Great Britain with in the protection OF ali
sueh communications, even had dose in regard 10
The Nicaragua route. And, finally we hound ourselves
Ieal Britain never 10 or exercise any domin
ION IN any part Of Central America =
Such is The Caylon-Bulwer treaty an orr mari Nou
how have all these concessions been reeiproc,tea B
The hs article Of The treaty. Great Britain rspourcod Tho
exercise OF assumption Of any dominion in Central
America where IN point Of fact she had no lawful DAMN.
ION % rehounce. BY diplomatic note before tn, er.
'"snse OF fatteahons, she claimed that The treaty did
"o' 10 any way touch her rights in the seulsmen,
VI 'ae belize OF lis dependencies The then American
'eueay OF Stale responded that as The negotiate, Of
ue8V De d'd not understand the treaty to ncnde the Be
Ne' OF ~ ae to recognise that settlement all pr.io
'noOgh these protocols form no par, Of lie ,rc,y "a
osequen events have clearly Indicated that a ~. 80
'en introduced into the treaty, they woulbayo deio,,o
"'aunsauon by the Senate But sbould No., - -.
~, mat oy thus specially claiming 10 evcsn, *.
80 nom 'he operation OF the treaty. Grea, Rite,
49,, ~ fehune'atory effect as 10 ali lbs ~, =
!, IN Central America In this stair ~ a..
a.. OUS--h Is almost incredble-lb,, dr.i,.
-. '''' many months after he cooclnsio, -
49,, PV'' duties should have bscr ,oll,.,.I
oy Dhush au'horlllts, from a, Au..,.- IOieo'su
maroon OF oreylown, and their ,on..,, - we
'ne guns OF an armed British cruise, !, '"''ieeu oy
incredible that the then Ams,,.. : 'ee"s SUI more
-, ,",''.', a'a accepted without ,,o,o., 49,
formal 'n"son Of the British Fors,a Sa protest the
me BRUSH government was willing ID de-. 'Aa'
range WIN h'm all questions growing on, - az ~ ~
unued exercise of British "dominon,, !, 'u's con
ica. We submit that these notorious f,,,. amer
ing now OF the establishment Of The r,,, " uo'n
nay Islands, raise and present for the we
me american government the whole oao.,;a. 80" u
"e -bulwer treaty be not at his ""o'aef