The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-20

making disclaimers which carry with them the impica-
lion OF an equivocal reputation. England, France and
the other European powers are al liberty TO Judge io,
themselves whether any such necessity exists in their
case have not much faith in these galutous protest
aions OF honesty and disinterestedness They are gen
eray made Tor the purpose OF conceang dark design
while preparations maturing for its execution
tecolecl that pending the Clayton and Bulwer treaty
before lhe Senate Tumor SET atoat that England
nedilaed the extension OF her dominion protection
over Costa Rica or some other portion OF Central Amer.
lea, Sir Henry Bulwer deemed The time opporune and
the rumo sufficient excuse for addressing TO our De-
parment OF Stale official letter, dsclaiming in the
name and by the authority Of the British government,
any such design, and saying
:" am also desired add that it would be contrary TO
The fixed and settled policy of Great Bflain entangle
herself by any engagement distant States
British government any effective control Such
poteciorate would confer possible advantage Great
Britain and might become the source of many embarrass
menrs 10 her"
Mr.. Clayton much delighted with this frank
disclaimer that he promptly replied
!, take pleasure in expressing the satisfaction with which
hat OF her Britannia Majesty and especially it
cannot fail TO strengthen the bond. OF amiy exis,ng
between our respective countries"
General Taylor deemed the matter of sufficient import
ance to communicate the evidence OF this "iriendly
suraDce to the Senate In special message Well, the
treaty was ratified, and in less than three years Great
Britain selzes the Bay Islands and erects them into col
ony, IN me lace OF this triendy assurance and in d.
| rect violation OF the provisions of the treaty
confess have not formed very high appreciation
OF the value OF these disclaimers OF all intention OF
mllting crimes against our neghhors do not think
should deem my house any in the night in
consequence OF the thief having pledged his honor
steal my property Il am surrounded by honest men
there is no necessity Tor the rendy assurance and if
by rogues II would not relieve my apprebensons al
ford much security 10 my rights am unwilling, there
tore, 10 make any disclaimer as 10 our purposes upon
Cuba, or to give any pledge in respect to existing rights
upon this continent The nations OF Europe have no
right to call upon US for disclaimer OF the one, or
for pledge to protect the other Ii is true British
NEWSPAPERS the habit of caIumniang the
OF the United States set of maraudsrs upon the
riloral rights OF our neighbors II is also true tha,
tor party purposes, portion of the press of this
country is in the habit OF attributing such sentiments
to some OF our public men but II is not true, so
far as know, that any one man in either house OF
Congress does entertain, or has entertained
avowed, sentim mt that justihes such mpualion.
am unwilling, therefore, to countenance the vile sander
by voting for a resolution which by implication con.
tains so base an insinuation. Perhaps ! may well
speak plainly feel that there may be lurking insin
ualion in these two clauses, having little bearing
wards an individual OF about my proportions 1t is the
vocation oil some partisan presses and personal organs to
denounce and sgmatze certain class of politicians, by
altrbutng them unworthy aud dsreputable purposes
under the cognomen OF Young America" tits their
amiable custom, believe, wheR they come TO indivdu-
aZe, 10 point to the most worthy to bear the
appellation have either assumed discaimed
IT. have before alluded TO it, and should not
the present OCCASION had it not been introduced into the
discussions OF the Senate in such manner to leave
The Impression that evaded If failed 10 notice it,
that the senator who the other day directed
large portion of his speech against the supposed doc
tIines OF YeURG AMERICA, had no reference 10 my
self in that part OF his speech. and that the only al
uson he made 10 kind and complimentary
SO tar am concerned. and those who harmonlze with
in sentiment and action. the votes to which have
iened and The have given in support OF them,
constitute the only profession OF faith deem il necessary
TO make this subject | willing to compare votes
and acts principles and professions. with any who
chooses TO assa me yield to none IN strict observance
OF The laws OF nations aud treaty supuaiions may
not have been willing bndy recklessly to pledge the
taih OF the republic for all time on points, where in the
nature oi things WAS not easonable TO suppose that
the pledge could be preserved l may have deemed II
and prudent 10 hold The control Of action
and leave SUCCESSORS free according 10 their
OF duty under the circumstances which may then
| exist
/ Now, sir, few words with regard to the island Of
Cuba II any desires my opinions upon that ques-
ton, he can learn them very easily They have been
proclaimed frequently for the last years, and still
unchanged often said. and repeat, that
long the island OF Cuba IL content TO remain loyal
10 the Crown of Spain, be II So | have no desire, no
wish TO disturb that relation. have always said, and
now repeat that whenever the people of the island oil
Cuba shall show themselves worthy OF freedom by assert
and maintaining their independence and establishing
| republican institutions, my heart, my sympahles, my
prayer. with them for the accomplishment oil the OBJ
Iecl have often said. and repeat that when that
Independence shall have been established # II shall be
necessary TO their interest safety to apply Texas
did for nnexaton shall be ready TO do by them as we
did by Texas and receive them into the Union have
sad and now repeat that Whenever SPAN shall come 10
the conclusion that she cannot much longer maintain her
dominion the island and that II ia better for her to
transfer il TO us upon fair and sonable terms
oil those who wosd be ready to accept the transfer
have sad and repeat that whenever Spain shall re-
] fuse TO make such transfer TO us and shall make It 10
1 England, or any other European power, would be
among those who would be in favor OF taking
OF the island, and resisting such transfer al all hazards
Thus far have often gene thus Tar now go. These
are my individual opnions-not OF much consequence,
admit, but any sne who desires TO know them is well
come To them. But IL thing for TO entertain these
individual sentiments and II Is another and very differ
eni thing to pledge forever and nnaeraby the policy OF
this government particular channel in defiance of any
change in the circumstances that may hereafter take
place. do not deem II necessary to ahrm by resou-
tlon in the OF the republic, every opinion that
may entertain and be willing to act upon The repre-
sentative OF local constituency not, therefore,
| prepared to say that ii is wise policy 10 make any
declaration upon the subject OF the island OF Cuba Cir
cumstances not within CONTROL and originating in
beyond reach, may pi,ae state oi things
that would change action, and reverse our whole
line Of policy Cuba the existing position OF affairs, does
not present practical issue All that may do
merely speculative, and dependent upon contngen-
cles thai may never happen. SO il is in great meas
with the discussion that has occupied much OF the
time OF the Senate in relation the British settlement at
the Belize Although Great Britain has no other title
than permit TO cut log wood, 10 undenabe that
she in possession OF the country before the United
became independent power, and has maintained
The undsu bed possession since Our government
has recognised II British colony in various ways,
and 1t is so designated 10 our pubic documents tube
object be provoke difficulty with England regardless
OF merits OF the quarrel, inclined To- th'nk na'
IL isbed easily and readily oy nouce
TO quit the Belize 10 abandon Canada but " 'ne oo
lect be establish aud MAINTAIN cherished prncpe
OF public policy IN opposition 70 European eo'oo,1on
in m. rica the new British colony recently established
al the islands in the bay OF Honduras presents that DIS
tinct naked issue in form which places US clearly