Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-26

clear question On page no. the page to which
the Senator referred Humboldt speaking Of the ntenden
cy Of Merida the peninsula of Yucatan after describ
ing the face OF the country, climate, &C., says
The ruins of European edfces dscoyeabe in the island
Cosumue in the midst of grove Of palm trees indicate that
this island, which is uninhabted was the commence
Of the conquest peopled by Spanish coonsts Since
the settlement of the English between 0oa and Rio Hondo
the Government to diminish the conraband trade concen
ated the Spanish and Indian population in the part OF the
peninsula west from the mountains Of Yucatan. Cooniss
not permitted to settle the western coasts on the banks
of the Rio Bacalar and Rio Essay on me
Rnydom II Neg Spain, by Baron HeLold col 2, p l6o
Now, Humboldt is giving us here information as to the
effect that had been operated upon the Indians and the
other population of Yucatan by of these British
settlements that is TO say, because of the contraband
trade which sprung up in the British settlements, the Go
yernment OF fucatan had withdrawn its population BUT
he does not say matter Of geographic history that
because the British settlements were between the Rio
Omoa and the Rio Hondo they to be found in the
province Of Yueaan neither does he tell that the Rio
Hondo was river of Yucatan say therefore, although
may be- when speaking here of the province of Merida
Yucatan and Of the British settlements that he meant
to say they formed part of Yucatan yet by no means
conclusive
The honorable Senator then refers to Spanish writer
Acedo on whom he seems to place great reliance have
looked also into this worka large geographical dicona
ry a compllauon-but | think the honorable Senator
himself will not ascribe much authority to Mr. Alcedo
when he finds that cedo has been discredited by Hum
boldt, who is certainly far more worthy Of reliance
find that Humboldt complains that the English geographer
speaking of that piracy he refers to Acedo and says
Mr. Pinkerton, in the second edition Of his Modern Geo
graphy has endeavored to give minute description Of the
Spanish possessions North America contrved
to several exact notions derived from Vecero Uni
Usa with the vague data furnished by the dictionary
Of M. Acsdo This author who believes himself to
singular knowledge of the territorial divisions Of New
SPAIN considers the Provinces Of Sonora Snaloa and La Pr
erica ss ofNew Biseay He divides what he calls the
domnions omaine of Mexico into the districts Of Nueva Ga
lica Panuco, Zacaulo, &C. According this principle
should that the three great divisions of Europe SPAIN
Languedoc Catalonia and the territories Of Cadz and Bor
deaux Poicat Essay the Kiaqdomo Ye,0 Spain, by Ba
ron Huaboid. Vol ], PIP 263-45
That is the way he introduces Aceo to the considera
ton of all historians and geographers say, then that
Alcedo is dscreded by Humboldt, and discredited
only but discredited in show, the opinion
of Humboldt that there great degree Of merit to be
ascbed to any of those writers who have attempted to
trace from early records, the boundaries between the
Spanish provinces.
would suggest, then the Senator from Delaware,
that for the future conduct of this question: it may in
volve the interests of this country it would be safer for
him to repose his note connected with the treaty of
1850 where he guardedly refuses any admission than to
the speech which he made few days ago, when
he presented argument establish it fact geo.
graphical fact that the British settlements at Belize
TO be found in Mexico, and not in Central America.
One authority cited by the honorable Senator Ar
rowsmith, who published map of Guatemala in 1926.
The honorable Senator was kind enough to give me
to it. That map purports to have been reducedrom
the survey in the archives Of Guatemalaa declaration
the part of Arrowsmh which, in the judgment of the
honorable Senator, entities to high credit Now, Mr.
President all geogrphers conversant with the maps
of Arrowsmith Heis, perhaps one of the largest
map-makers in the world and to whom believe, great
credit is generally given for accuracy But Arrowsmth
has this remarkable fact connected with his maps he
does not date them in twenty, far my OBJ
servaton goes will you find dated But it is little
markable that this mapof 1926 is Dated and claims TO
have been compiled from surveys to be found in the
chves of Guatemala
The honorable Senator informed u.s. in introducing the
map, that it entitled to peculiar confidence be-
the British Government anxious to ascertain
where those settlements were and therefore it sent de-
putaton to Guatemala TO examine the archives He in
formed that the anxiety Of the British Government to
know where the Observation-Disclosures arose from this
that since the dominion Of Spain had ended Great Britain
at loss to know who her landlord in regard to
these she to treat with Mexico
Guatemala upon the subject those possessions and
therefore it became matter Of interest England to
send agent to Guatemala learn it. and the result
said he, this map Of Arrowsmths of 1926. be-
ieye have stated the honorable Senator's position
recy. He further informed us that by means Of tina,
investigation Great Britain found that her settlements
Honduras bay in the Province of Yucatan and she
proceeded treat and did treat with Mexico according
in reference to them 1t is little unfortunate for thu
Senator's theory that there is seeming conflict of dates
because the treaty was made in 1926, and the map
published in England in the year. and il is hardly
to be presumed that the treaty followed SO Immediately
upon the PRONUNCIATION Of the map. have taken the
precauon to look into other maps Of Arrowsmih in
ference these British possessions and have found what
any Senator will find who will examine them that they
made exclusively with reference British pretenson
and without any earthly regard to the existing state Of
facts geographical or political
Sir there is a map Of ATowsmth, a very large map,
in the Office the Secretary Of the Senate map Of the
West India Islands and the coast of Central America OPP
poste. II has date, but you will find upon 1t that
the British settlements az Belize laid down they
should be- between the Rio Hondo the north and the
Rio Spon the south These the treaty limits with
Spain ms prescribed by the treaty Of 1885, And then if
you will extend your walk into the library you will find
n large atlas published by Arrowsmth again without
date in which you will find the British possessions Be-
lie extended far down the river Sarsoon embrac
ing an extent il is said Of hundred and fifty miles
below the southern limit Of the treaty that this
thor upon whom the Senator relies settle this geogra
phical question the authors word that his map
is compiled from the archives Of Guatemala lays down
the British possessions his map, not they pre-
scred by the treaty. but successive encroachments by
the settlers have enlarged them according to the treaty
limits In the earlier map, and according the British
trespasses in the later map.
saw then with al possible respect TO the literature Of
country and to those who have charge Of the
graphical portions Of IT, that when British interests
concerned is the slightest credit be given
this map-maker, Arrowsmith.
And thus. sir, although Arrowsmith claims in 1926 to
have compiled his map from the archives Of Guatemala
and thus to throw those settlements in Mexico yet in the
year 1882 official map published by the Republic
Of Guatemala in which the whole Of these settlements
are shown be comprised within the limits of that Re-
public have that map in the committee room, and in
tended have brought il up with me- but il escaped
recollection any gentleman however, who is curious
the subject may examine il for himself IL is atlas
published in Guatemala entitled An atlas Of Guatemala
in eight maps prepared and engraved in Guatemala BY
order Of the Chief Of the State, G. DMarihno Calves
The north and northwestern boundary Of Guatemala al
though called cline underlined is there north Of the Rio
Hondo which river by the map is altogether within the
limits Of Guatemala The author Of thatmap is certain