The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-04

fowers OF about equal strength, can you ever come
10 settlement on any other basis than that of COM
promlse and mutual concession? TIE United States
| ana England have done it over and over again.
we claimed our boundary on the northeast as run
ming up far beyond the river ST. John-for We have
our san Juan too-we claimed that we went far be-
YONG that river on the northeastern boundary Of
Maine. England said that the boundary line be.
gan at Mare Hill. far south of the ST. John. The
controversy lasted fifty years; and finally we were
obliged to settle it BY each party giving up some
thing Of its extreme pretension.
So it was on the coast of the Pacific There We
claimed up to $40 40. The Britieh said, on the
other hand, that the line ought to follow the Co
umbia river down to the Pacific The two coun-
tries were brought almost to the point of collision
on this question, but at last it was thought on all
sides that the only practicable and honorable mode
ofsettiing the question was to adopt middle term,
and take the line of the forty ninth degree of haiti
tude-which was the boundary east of the Rocky
mountains-as the line of denlarkation to the sea-
II great Powers like England and the United
States, leading Powers OF the commercial and
maritime world, find it necessary to settle their
border controversies by these mutual sacrifices,
can Nicaragua and Costa RIGA expect to adjust
theirs on any better principle? However, as
said, the terme of the settlement proposed were
accepted by Costa RIGA, but Nicaragua did not
think it expedient for her to adopt them
While these matters were passing, very sin
gular event occurred in San Juan, OF which |
believe can best give an account to the Senate BY
reading an extract from despatch of our consular
agent, Mr.. Boone, who arrived at San Juan on the
Sd of June last. He writes the following, under
date of the 9Th of June, 1852:
81 find the government of the place in the hands
of a corporation, or organisation, formed princi-
paliy of American citizens It consists of mayor
and city council. They have constitution
gether formed as far as it goes upon liberal prin-
ciples. They have weI-organized police, judges
and aldermen, all elected ANNUALLY by the people.
There is likewise captain u the port and health
rfIc cnfc doniff
ssIn March last. Mr.. Green, the British consul
and agent Of the Mosquito king, president of the
then council at Greytown, upon the request being
made by some of the principal inhabitants. issued
proclamation or order for convention of the
people of the town to meet and frame new con-
stiution. The convention wac held and the pre-
sent constitution was adopted, under which all
the aforementioned officers have been elected"
Now, this government is carried on under the
name of the Mosquito king; and Mr. Boone repre-.
cents that there is decided prependcrance of the
British influence in the Government. The off,
GERS, by the way, am informed are all American;
but doubt not that Mr.. Boone correctly states the
fact that they are decidedly under British infu-
ence. suppose this is pretty natural, considering
the previous history of affairs there; because this
email municipality naturally relies upon the name
of the Mosquito protectorate as security for the
present against the invasion of the State Of Mica
ragua, until they shall be sufficiently strong to
protect themselves.
With respect to the manner in which affairs are
managed by this municipal government
would speak with come reserve. do not like at
this distance to give decided opinion founded
upon er porte informaton; but must say that this
new government, though founded on q principle
with which, in the United States, must have
all our sympathies enlisted-that Of popular cleo
tion-woud seem to be carrying on their affairs
very badly. They have lately, by an act of vio-
lence for which doubt some provocation was
given, gone across the river and pulled down the
buildings OF the transit company; and have also
svofrr 49,
certain French settlers established there, which, if
they are truly represented, will involve the NUM-
cipal authorities of this corporation in heavy
responsibility to the French empire. AS said
before, these may be rnfounded reports, and it
would be wrong to form a decided opinion upon
parfe information. hope, as the new constitu-
ton is organized upon the popular principle, that
it will BY wise administration do credit to such
an origin.
Such was the state of things in that quarter when
went into the Department of Stale, last Noyem-
Der. 1t was out of my power for come time, for
causes beyond my control, to give any impulse to
the negotiations in reference to Central America.
In the month OF January, we received the iniorma-
ton that change of ministry had taken place
in England and that new government had been
formed under the Earl of Aberdeen, as Prime Min
lister. In fortnight or three weeks received from
the British minister here communication which
showed that of the first objects to which the
new ministry had directed its attention, with the
view of bringing about some practical terms of
final adjustment, were these difficulties in Central
America. will confess to you, Mr., President,
that this communication produced agreeable
impression on my mind. 1t reminded me of what
TOOK place eleven or twelve years ago, when 1
found myself in London as the representative of
this Government. You recoIIect that at that time
we were still involved in the controversies about
the northeastern boundary the affair of the Caro-
line," the arrest Of Mcleod and the seizure and
detention of American vessels on the coast of AT
RIGA These subjects had been discussed, come of
them for half a century; and with no other effect
hon To n,fIrY oh rtyYi fho fk.t
it had all the right on its side; and in fact to
bring the two great Powers to the verge of con-
fiict. Such~wa the condition of affairs at that
time. in this state of things, late one night in
December, as was meditating upon these matters,
not in the best spirite, and feeling pretty heavy
sense of responsibility as to my own position, hav
ing been sent there to discuss all these questions
without word of instruction from Washington
upon any one of them, received note from Lord
Aberdeen, appointing an interview for the next
day, the object Of which turned out to be to in
form me that the Queens government, lately
formed under Sir Robert Peel, had come to the
conclusion to make a new, and as it hoped sue
cessfu attempt to settle all matters in controversy
between the two countries; and that for this pur-
pose it had determined to send special minister
to the United States and had selected Lord Ash
burton for the mission, and on the express ground
that though be would Of course look after the in
terests of his country, he was the Individual,
perhaps in the whole British empire, in a position
to undertake the duty, who would carry to the
United States the kindest feelings and the most
friendly domestic and personal association. |
confess that this communication, made in that
amicable tone for he express object mentioned,
did, as it were, lift somewhat heavy load from
my mind. / thought saw, at great distance,
the prospect of an adjustment OF all these embar-
RAISING and dangerous questions; prospect which
was SO happily realized in the course of the sum-
mer by the conclusion of the treaty of Washing
ton of the 9th Of August, 1872
1t may be comparing small things with great,
but must say that it was with som swhat SINH
lar feeling of satisfaction that found that of
the fret acts of Lord Aberdeen's new government
was 10 make overture to us for the settlement
of this, not so formidable but Still by no means
difficulty down in Central America.
The purport of the communication was, that the
government of her Britannia Majesty was dis
posed to agree to almost any thing reasonable. It
was willing to recognise, it had recognised inc
independent government that was set up a. San
Juan. With respect the protectorate, IL oesirea
nothing more than to be wholly disemoarrasseo
from it, 40 far as it could without en- ehuIe eacti
flee of the duties of charity and paternai regard
which II owed to the broken down fragments OF
the In die tribes which for two hundred years had
har 70 q certain extent, under lis protection IL
Wished only to get out of it with honor and credit
That was the purport of the communication. It
as xu;Iling to go there with the United States and
t.aat With the municipal authorities OF San Juan,
= nd was willing that they should continue to gov
IN the territory American citizens though they
we're It was willing that they should continue
r. ttz No. l.