Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-15

(which seem to think the treaty had an entirely
different Specification
upon the subject it not for the Of phrase
sCentral America" which the Senator from Michigan
referred. But what is Central America? Are we I'M
derstand by that the country which, geographically con
sidered lies between North and South America proper
Ii so, Central America includes something than Brit
ish Honduras. 1t would for instance include Yucatan
also. But sir when statesmen speak of territorial dvi-
sons they generally speak Of them and in reference to
treaties they always speak of Them unless 1t be expressly
understood to the contrary in political Then
what is the political division called Central America for
that it is Of which the treaty speaks Every body knows
very well what that is. Five Governments, Guatemala
San Salvador, Nicaragua Honduras and Costa RIGA
stte the political division called Central America and
that the Central America Of which the treaty speaks
1t that Central America to which the then chairman
of the Committee Foreign Relations must have under
stood it to refer 1t is that Central America to which
certainly understood the treaty to refer.
Now, sir admit we thought we were gaining great
point by the ratification Of this treaty Every body knew
that Great Britain had assumed protectorae what
is called the Mosquito She had been pushing the
claim Of the Mosquito Indians, and disposed to carry
beyond the river San Juan AT the mouth of that river
stands the town of San Juan de Nicaragua, otherwise
called Greytown which suppose commands that river;
which commands the first link in that great chain of in
teroceanic communication which it the design of this
treaty from the power Of either the United States
OF America any other great nation, and which
designed to make neutral territory far possible.
Therefore, when succeeded in the ratification of the
treaty, think we did succeed in putting stop to the
progress Of British encroachments in that quarter and
guarded Costa RIGA and Nicaragua from the progress of
British dominion 1t was Of sort Of Importance, at
least Of very slight Importance the security of line
of inter-oceanic communication that the British should
retain their power in British Honduras which lies the
north side Of the bay and intervening between which and
the river San Juan lies only the Mosquito shores
also the Central American State of Honduras north of
which it Immediately is Next to the Central American
State Of Honduras proper the Mosquito shores,
which run down to the river San juan Therefore it is
that say the wrestling the possession of that from the
British would not be important in view of the great OBJ
ject sought to be obtained by the treaty.
The Senator from Michigan (Mr CAss stated the other
day that he authorized by Mr. KING the then chair
man Of the Committee Foreign Relations to state his
view OF this matter Sir have very great respect for
Mr. KING believe him to be Of the purest honor.
satisfied that he would make Misrepresentation which
he did not believe to be a true But equally
well satisfied that at the date Of the exchange of the rs
fcaton Of that treaty 4th July 1850 he wrote to Mr.
Clayton in reply to him. the letter which is contained in
the lntelligencer of Saturday last in these words:
The Senate perfectly understood the treaty did not
include British Honduras Frankness becomes our Govern
ment but should be careful not to any expression
which would seem to recognise the right of England any
portion of Honduras"
do not mean to impeach the veracity either of Mv
King of the Senator from Michigan when point out
the inconsistency between this letter and the
ton made to the Senate the part of Mr. King by the
Senator from Michigan. have no doubt whatever that
it be explained without injustice either Of them
We know the feeble condition of Mr. Kings health un
darstand is feeble that it is extremely doubtful whe
Their he qualified to upon subjects of this sort
at this time particularly upon subjects his recollection of
which would have to go back few years. and salts
fed either that the condition Of his health such
to allow him to make full and precise explanations to the
Senator from Michigan, that that Senator have
misunderstood him. There is his letter, and to that
have no doubt he viii now give his ratification.
The letter from Mr. Clayton, to which the letter from
Mr.. King which have read is reply perfectly
rates the late Secretary of State from the charge Of dup
city and concealment. With whom could he properly
communicate except the chairman Of the Committee
Foreign Relations of this House? And with him he did
communicate He did disclose to him his Intentions and
from him received such authority Senator in his po
son could give in regard the opinions of the Senate
No has been deceived by Mr.. Ciaytons action He
took the only which he could properly have taken
to make known to the Senate of the United States what
was about to take place through their proper organ
the chairman Of the Committee On Foreign Relations And
am authorized to say further, in reply the Senator
from Louisiana, that not only was Mr. King informed Of
the intention of Mr. Clayton to communicate to Sir Henry
Bulwer this subject but what he did was known also
to the President and his Cabinet He concealed from
one who had right to require q disclosure from him.
There is however, in the letter Of Mr. Clayton pub
lished in the Integencer Of Saturday last mistake
which perhaps it is well that should correct at once
In that letter published this phrase The Br
fish title to the Central American States was recognised
by Mr.. Polk in sending there Mr.. Christopher Hemp
stead as consul" That, | authorized to say, is
clerical error 1t should have BEEN The British title
formed in letter from Mr. Clayton which received this
morning.
The Senator from Michigan seems to think that there
was some mysterious and injurious project concealed in
the word dependencies used in the letter Of Mr. Clay
ton That expression is very well explained by the Ian
guagc Of the convention of 1885, which have read II
shows that Spain recognised the right of the British to
occupy those islands which properly known the
pendencies Of British Honduras equally with the main
land believe the British have extended and have been
more than one hundred years in extending attempting
TO enforce their jurisdiction certain islands named
in that conyentonthe Island of Roatan for example,
which lies to the other shore Of the Bay of Hon
duras They have had possession Of and lost that island
about Ave times More than centuries ago British
buccaneers had settlement upon it, which was broken
up by Spain in 1850 In 1742 they took it again and for
tilted it. They were dsodged in $780, and in 1896 made
penal settlement for the Caribs whom they transport
ed TO II from some Of their West Indian Islands
Whether British Entertainments are now going or |
not Is not material to this question My object in rising
was TO show that the Secretary Of State who negotiated
this treaty could be held liable 10 the charge Of
ing imposed upon the Senate treaty the purposes Of
which were different from those disclosed think I
have done so. word more, and shall have done. |
regretted TO hear from the Senator from California
INT WKLLER) remark in which, according TO my re- |
collection he said that he had known any thing
come from the Secretary Of State who had negotiat
ed this treaty which not marked by extreme stu |
pdity doubt whether another member of the Senate
would agree with him in that opinion Whatever the re-
lanons political personal Of gentlemen may be with
the late Secretary Of State think il must be generally
admitted that, 50 far from being stupid man, he
gentleman Of exceeding acueness and remarkable ability
II was the very last charge shoSd have expected to
hear against that gentleman IVopc the country will
heard What will amply vindcste him from the charge
Of stupidity and have doubt they will have that
opportunity
Mr.. SEWARD Mr. President, on the 18th Of April |