The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-19
The Clayton BuIwer Treaty, Concluded 10th
April, Is6O-RatihcatiOns Exchanged 4th

The Clayton BuIwer Treaty, Concluded 10th
April, Is6O-Ratihcations Exchanged 4th
July, 1860.
1t was the wise and benehcent policy OF Mr.
Folks administration to arouse common Amer-
spirit among the republics of this continent with
view promote their own internal prosperity, and ena
BILE them efectualy to resist European encroach
ments This policy steadily pursued in all our dplo-
matte intercourse with them. II was clearly stated at an
early period OF that administration, by Mr. Buchanan in
his instructions 10 Mr.. Slidel, dated November 10,
1915. In these Mr.. Buchanan says:
. The nations the continent of America have inter
esis peculiar to themselves Their free forms govern
altogether different from the monachical instit
TONS OF Europe The interest and independence of these
sister nations require that they should establish and main
tain an American system of policy for their prolec
ton and security entirely distinct from that which has
long prevailed in Europe. To tolerate any on
the part OF European severe gns with controversies in
America; 10 permit them to apply the dogma OF
the balance Of power the free States this continent
and, above all, suffer them establish colonies OF
their own, inermnged with free republics would be
to make TO the same extent voluntary sacrifice of in
dependence These truths ought everywhere hroug
the continent Of America be impressed on the public
mind"
No sooner had our victories in Mexico rendered ii
probable that the would speedily terminate, than Mr.
Polk directed his attention TO the five feeble North Amer
lean States which had been formerly united the con-
federation of Central America. He then found them in
wreched condition Great Britain, the dIslurber OF The
peace OF the world, there trouble Them She ap-
peared under the form of protector of the Mosquito In
dams, miserable, contemplate, and degraded tribe OF
savages whose drunken and worthless boy king she had
crowned, in mock majesty, at jamaica Whoever will
open map of North America will be aslonished at the
extent OF territory which she claims for these few hun
bred Mosquito Indians II compebends the whole coast
Of the Caribbean from Cape Honduras TO New Ora
NADIA, and extends degrees OF latitude in North
America Great Britain has thus under preence of her
proecorae excluded large portion OF the State OF Hon
duras and the entire States Of Nicaragua and Costa Rca
from the Caribbean sea, nlerposing barrier between
them and il, the absurd claim OF the Mosquito Indians
These States have Just good night TO extend their
governments and dominion TO this sea as have the
States of New York, New Jersey, Maryland or yir.
gina 10 extend to the Atlantic To say that the
Mosquito claim is not well founded is TO employ language
not sufficiently strong for the occasion. This claim
would be simply ridiculous, il not sustained by Brit
sh power and intrigue. Any other civilized nation on
The face of the habtabe globe would be ashamed set
it up before the world. Even the London Times, the
able and ready spologist OF British encroachments in
every quarter OF the globe had not the hardhood main
tain il. But Great Britain tempted to pursue the
course she has done by the dissensons and divisions
which she had herself omened among these feeble Cen.
trail American States. Such of civil war and in
change of rulers have existed in each of them
have probably never heretofore been exhibited on small
scale on the face OF the earth Emboldened by their
wretched condition, Great Britain undertook to extend
~, ~ tha far
former preensons and. in February, is4s seized upon
the port OF San Juan de Nicaragua the best in that re-
gon, expelled this State from possession OF it, and
thus deprived her and her sister State Of Costa RIGA e
their only good harbor along the coast, She still hold.
possession OF this valuable seaport in the OF the
King of the Musqutos and now claims to do this,
and continue her prolecoale under the provisions OF the
Clayton Bulwer treaty
Mr. Folks administration sought 10 remove her from
the Mosquito proteciorste by first uniting the States Of
Central America in the assertion OF their rights and
then giving them aid and assistance as the bead OF
the American republican States accomplish this gh,
eous purpose. There not the least apprehension
that would grow out of this united and determined
resistance Even Great Britain, in the face OF the civil.
lied world, and at the expense of her own vital inter.
ests would not have gone TO for so absurd.
y unjust With this view, the mission Of Mr. Hise 10
Guatemala was established.
But General Taylors administration into power
and the whole policy Of The preceding administration was
in this respect changed Sir Henry Lyt,on Bulwer was
sent minister 10 this country after having been right.
fully expelled from Spain for his antiques in the domes
tic concerns of that kingdom. He the very man 10
make the besof the Mosquito proecorae and the best
market in the world for such damaged was found
at Washington during the administration of General Tay-
or. Mr. Clayton and Sir Henry Immediately entered into
negotiations wilhou, consulting the States Of Cen
trail America, the parties mainly interested and they dis
posed OF these States the usmvraie did OF the Roman
world, without their knowledge or consent
We shall now proceed TO analyze this Clayton and
Bulwer treaty, and present it in it's true character to our
Il readers.
The FIRST article contains two distinct provisions, which
we shall consider separately. 1t spulaes that neither
OF the contracting parties shall ever exercise exclusive
control over the shpcsna to be constructed between the
Atlantic and Pacific by the way Of III. river San
Juan de Nicaragua, any Notifications command