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


ate and the country will say that have been pretty bus
about these matters of foreign relations have don
my share and am afraid the country thinks have don
than my share am not bound to watch every az
gression and ii TO do so, should have enough
do. But the truth is, the moment this usurpation
sumed my honorable friend from Illinois says, ver
fragrant character that there could be doubt abou
the facts. two days afterwards brought the subec
before the Senate
AS to the Of Belize from the time of the ratfca
ton Of the treaty the time of this discussion, have
only paid general attention to IT, saw the question
alluded TO IN the papers but what was the nature OF the
jurisdiction which the British exercised there, did not
know and do not know to this day, have seon that
Great Britain has not gone TO estabsha colony in the
usual way appointing governor; but she seems to have
halted and to have stopped nearly half way. do not to
this day know what kind Of jurisdiction she claims to
erce there but do know now that in the very face OF
this treaty She in July last, went to establish colony
called the " Bay of Islands,, and as did know
that proposed to the Senate to call on the Executive
for authentic information the state of facts there,
and why they had occurred. But | had another rea-
for saying word two this subject and
it is in consequence of alusion made rather inds
tinctly by the Senator from Maryland another
sderation and that is to the origin Of this matter As
before mentioned to the Senate, was aware
Of the colonization Of the Bay of Islands by the British,
and Of the assumption of general jurisdiction and domin
ion over them by the British Government brought the
subject before the Senate. introduced resolution call
ing for information from the Executive in regard to it,
What was the answer to that? Why, my honorable
llleuu from ILLINOIS
very truly revrned answer, that they knew
thing about the subject But they sent copy Of an
important document from the archives of the Government
bearing upon the question. They describe it truly
very important document; and what it? Why that
document sort of supplementary quasipost ratif
cation between the Department of State and the British
Minister restricting and combining the terms OF this treaty
within narrower limits than know put upon 1t, and
believe large portion of the Senate put upon it, In
that document contained extract from note Of
Colonel King to Mr. Clayton saying the Senate perfectly
understood the thing to wit that all knew the treaty
did not include British Honduras. |, as one Senator
knew that did not understand it. take it, then,
that 1t was not only my right but 1t my duty to
nounce to the country that not OF those Sena
tors who had put that construction upon the treaty Be-
fore did that of delicacy and propriety,
called upon Colonel King, and repeated word for word
to the Senate the conversation which took place between
u.s. stated expressly that Colonel King did allude to
an underlined right of the British to ogwood He did
not 20 into full consideration of the matter but he
stated distinctly that his view there was underlined
right to cut logwood.
reported to the Senate with my exculpation, f
you may so please to call it, the facts they occurred
The main fact which wanted to establish in relation
myself was that had participation in the ratification
of such treaty gentlemen and among them Mr.
Clayton, say was submitted to the Senate.
Mr. President the treaty came before the Senate pur-
porting to cede, rather to ALLURE, all dominion jul
rsdiction the part of the British and American Gov
ernments to Central America" Now what is "Central
America" That is the point which had before the
other day, and want to say word that subject.
Central America is geographical portion of country
Why was the term used in the treaty? Mr.. Clayton
pressy tells you his letter that the used
the suggestion of Lord Palmerston. Why Lord Palmer
ston suggested it, am do not know The result
of his usage of very clear that the British setting
up claim which they could have had any shadow
OF title TO set if that term Central America had not
been used Unfortunately, Lord Palmerstons suggestion
was accepted, and the term Central America" was
used and now contended that that term meant the
States Of Central Amercathat it had political sgnih
cation and used in that sense and not in geogra
phcal sense. Why, you nigh well talk of the pot
cal States of the Heparchy The political States Of Cen
trail America had been dissolved and that had become
mere historical designation There is such thing
political community known the States of Central
America The States composing that division have re-
solved themselves into their constituent elements The
Governments that composed it have, after few years
unon become independent of one another The tie that
bound them together has been dissolved and when the
treaty was made there such thing particular
country known by the of the States of Central
America" What right, then, has any man to say that
this political designationthat the term Central
America was used 70 designate political state Of things
when that state of things had ceased to exist for years
understood Central America in the treaty and
many other gentlemen have confirmed my understanding
as referring to geographical Central America !" and
repeat what gentlemen has yet answered and what is
unanswerable, if "Central America as used in the
treaty. meant the States Of Central America what excuse
is there for not saying so If the general geographical
term embraced larger extent Of country than in
brace the minor, when upon its face it seemed to
brace the greater subdiy bn? Why was not the term
States of Central America" equivalent terms used
showing the objects and actual Interpretation of the par
ties to the treaty? That is what want know Mr..
President, and that is what no man has told me.
Now, with respect to the construction of the treaty
believed them believe now that the treaty according
TO fair and reasonable construction ofts terms includes
Honduras that Great Britain gave up all sovereignty and
jurisdiction Honduras That has always been my be-
lief As to the right to cut ogwood if she had it at ALL
she had it in subordinaon to the dominion and ursdc-
ton of the country liable, understand for have not
looked into it, to be terminated at any time but any
rate liable TO the dominion and jurisdiction Of the country
for she herself expressly renounced all jurisdiction Upon
that have the view has m honorable friend
from Louisiana and although the honorable Senator from
Maryland does any difference in the views of the
honorable Senator from Louisiana and himself see
very great The honorable Senator from Louisiana
considers Central America to mean Central America
TO include all Honduras and pot to exclude subdivision
OF which, some British maps is called British Hon.
duras. When the term Central America is used il
includes the whole Of Honduras and if there any ex
clusion, is the Senator from Louisiana says only
exclusion OF temporary right on the part Of England to
cut trees there leaving the general dominion and urs
dcton in the very words Of the Of the British Paria
ment which has been alluded in the State of Hondu
ras. That was my view then and it is my view now.
Mr. HALE. As have but very little TO say, and as
desire to say il in order would be obliged to the Chair
to state to me what question is before the Senate.
The PRESIDENT There is no question before the Sc
nate Senators are going making personal explana-
tons which have been allowed by the unanimous consent
of the Senate
Mr.. HALE Then suppose any thing is in order. II
IS rather singular position put into, to have
him speak when there is question pending But, as
from the remarks which gentlemen have made this
matter has assumed Importance which does not sug
gest itself to my mind and which is not papabe to me-
and as am obliged to form my ideas the real and in
rinsic importance of the from the view which