Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-01
MIR. EvERErrs spEEcH.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has received a
carefully corrected copy of Mr.. Everett's late
speech on Central American affairs and publishes
several Interesting extracts therefrom. The fol-
lowing passage relating to the British settlement
at the Belize apd the colonization of the Bay Is
lands, will be read with interest. Mr.. Everett's
late position as Secretary of State, afforded him
good opportunity of ascertaining the feelings
and intentions of the British Government touch
ing these questions, and his remarks well
calculated to inspire confident assurance that
no war is likely to grow out of them. Messrs.
Cass and Douglas must turn their eyes to other
continents in quest of cdsus beLl. Itseems to
be pretty evident England is not at all disposed,
at the hazard of a quarrel at least, to thwart our
ambition or obstruct our march on this sGe of the
Atlantic
With respect to the settlement at the Belize after all
that been said during this past winter after the
report othe distinguished chairman of the Committee
on Foreign relations Mr.. Mason after the speeches of
the honorable Senator from New York (Mr Seward
and the honorable Senator from Maryland (Mr. Pearce
as well as the debates of last week. do think it
would be worth while for to enter into the matter
now. believe it is now admitted on all sides OF the
Senatele the geographical question be decided as 1T
may; let the belize be placed in Central America In
Mexico let the origin and foundation of the settlement
there be what they WILT is still generally admitted that
this Belize settlement not in the contemplation of
the parties to the treaty at the time 1T was negotiated
nor in that of the Senate the time they approved it.
Attention turned that subject The parties to
that treaty had something else in view. They were
thinking OF canal of the means OF constructing that
great of oceanic communication, and proba
bly, in the whole of the negotiation this Belize
was not thought of
The same remarks may be made of the Bay Islands.
The. have been considered for a century and half as
the dependencies of the Belize And it not in the
understanding of the par les that treaty that they
should he affected way the ether by the stipua-
tions of that treaty Now, understand the facts in
ference to those islands to be substantially foows:
As have said in the former part of these remarks these
islands were conquered and reconquered by England
long ago. She considered that the title to these islands,
de facto and de e-I quote the words of Lord Palmer
ston-belonged to her. AS the validity OF that claim
have word to only state that at the time
the treaty negotiated these dependencies of the
Belize not intended any than the Belize 1t
self, to be affected by its provisions.
About two three years ago. understand that the
inhabitants of these is ands sent messenger to the SUI
perintendent of the Belize and told him that they
without any regu Government and wished to have
Government established over them He told them that
Her Britannia Majesty could not afford to give them
| Government at her expense they must see how
much they could themselves raise by voluntary taxation
detray the expenses ofths Government They held
meeting and agreed to tax themselves at the rate Of
f2OO year, of which fact they notified the Superin
tendent told them that for that he thought he could
get them Government. This done and the pro-
clamatlon OF last summer was lssuedthe order OF las
July-sstablishing the colony of the Bay Islands.
Now, if these facts ! have stated think II
may be truly said that there violation othe slip
uations of the treaty in organizing that colony AT the
same didy say that think it very
ill-advised step. have doubt that it was hastily
taken by the home Government, upon the suggestion o.
the colonial authorities. think this organization OF
colony of islands that really part OF Cen
trail America in geographical point of view, al
-advised step in consideration ofhe feeling of the
American mind upon this subject which is no create
than the feeling ofthe English mind would be upon The
same subject in analogous Under the peculiar
of affrs, think the organization of colony out o
island within sight of the Honduras coast,
step that should not have been taken. have doub
the of the home Government has been surprised
into by it the suggestions of its colonial authorities.
have little doubt that when, dispassion tie represen
ofthis Government it shall brought to the consd
GRAFTON ofthe British Ministry this ILL., advised step will
be retraced. think such will be the