The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-23

Washington February l6, 1853.
To The President of the United States:
SIR Recent communications nave been made 10 this
department by the British minister relative the affairs
Of Central America. Of which deem my duty TO report
10 you the substance.
may fret be proper TO observe that the relations OF
the United States with some of the States of Central
America have OF late years assumed importance
wholly out of proportion 10 the political consequence OF
those small republics, the extent of commercial
intercourse with them, which is nconsiderabe. This
importance grows chiefly Of the fact that Of the
most advantageous routes OF inteoceanc communication
lies through this region The public policy OF the United
States presents few objects the present day oil equal
terest with direct, expeditions, and economical line OF
intercourse between Atlantic coast and The members
of the Union on the Pacific.
Il was mainly effect this object that the treaty of 18th
April, 1850 was negotiated between the United States
and Great Britain By this treaty The high contracting
parties bound themselves 10 their influence with any
State, States governments possessing, or Claiming
to possess, any jurisdiction right over the territory
which the proposed shi-cana may traverse or which
shall be near the applicable thereto in order 10
induce such States governments to facilitate the con-
s,ruclion thereof by every IN their power and
they also agreed TO their good offices. wherever or
however il may be mos, expedien in order procure
the establishment OF TWO tree poTs one at each end oil
the canal.
Ii was also stipulated by the treaty of 10Th April $780,
that if any differences should arise right property
over the territory through which the said canal shall
pass between the States governments OF Central Amer
obstruct the execution OF said canal the of
the United States and Great Britain would their good
Ofces settle such differences IN the manner best suited
TO promote the interests OF the said canal.
In execution OF this stipulation certain propositions
agreed upon by this department and the British
minister in the month OF April last having for their OBJ
iect TO settle the territorial controversies which existed
between the States and governments bordering on the
line of the canal These terms OF settlement assent
ed TO by Costa Rica but did not prove acceptable to Mica
ragua.
In making these propositions to the States interested,
and all the negotiations carried on by this government
the only object has been possible the
the through the civilized
tate in order to preclude the evils too likely TO arise
from it's passing through than one jurisdiction and
exercise the influence and mediation OF the United
States which had been invoked by the parties in
troversy in the best calculated TO promote their
respective interests.
The conflicting claims OF Great Britain and Nicaragua,
with reference to Mosquito, are among the difficulties
which embarass the subject. These difficulties arse
principally from the fact that the port OF San Juan del
Norie, the eastern outlet OF the canal is claimed 10 be-
long the Mosquito territory BY the hrst article OF the
treaty of April 49, 1885, the parties agree that neither
one nor the other will ever erect OF MAINTAIN any orh
cation commanding the canal, In the vicinity thereof,
or occupy, orfy, colonze or assume or exercise
any dominion over, Nicaragua Costa Rica, the Mosquito
coast any part OF Central America. But the relations
OF Great Britain Mosquito and the Mosquito Indians,
whom she claims have exercised potectorae Tor
long course OF years remained under TINS treaty some
what nde,ermnae. The port OF San Juan del Norte, 10
which the OF Greytown has been given by Great
Britain, though claimed within the limits OF this pro-
tectorate has for about year been really governed Ia
the of the tlnar King OF Mosquito by committee
OF Ave American citizens chosen by the people. Mica
ragua claims the rghuu sovereignty over this port, Qrom
which her authorities were. alter brlei possession,
elected by British force in January, 1881 and over the
whole Mosquito region; of which, however II is main
tanned by Great Britain that Nicaragua at any time
had possession.
Information has lately been received at this department
from the minister OF her Britannia Majesty, thai the
pany which had contracted TO build ship-cana across
the s,hnus OF Nicaragua, having found II impossible 10
carry out the plan originally contemplated, has re-
solved 10 propose 10 the government oil Nicaragua
modification OF that plan, with the view OF constructing
canal of smaller dimensions than those specified in their
contract and The British minister has been instructed 10
intimate 10 this department that II this information
should prove correct, her Majesy's government, would
feel themselves al liberty, under the 7th article OF the
treaty OF 10th OF April. 1880, withdraw their protection
from that company and TO transfer to any other compa
ny which should undertake canal on the original plan
II being deemed OF the utmost importance by the British
government that the great conception OF nieroceanc
canal, adapted TO the accommodation OF the vessels OF
the whole commercial world should not dwindle down
ordinary transit route for coastlns vessels, which
10 distant nations would be comparatively destitute OF
value.
The British minister has also been instructed TO sig
Nifty this department. that since Great Britain first
sumes the protection and defence OF the Mosquito In
danes the position OF all parties bad changed Spain, in
stead OF exercising absolute sovereignty over Central
America and prohibiting all commerce on the coasts
under her sway has entirely lost her dominion over all
parts OF this continent The Mosquito Indians, instead
OF governing Their own tribe according to the customs OF
their race, furnish only name and title by which for
sgners trading at San Juan del Norie and along the
Mosquito coast, according to the usages OF civilized
Sf4t09s exercise the eOeCtVe oil
Ia consequence OF those changes Great Britain. instead
OF having formerly interest 10 the defence OF the
Mosquto Indians for The sake OF exempting part OF
the territory Of Central America from Spanish CONTROL
and thereby obtaining admission for her commerce. has
other interest Mosquito but such she derives
from honorable regard 10 old with the
Mosquito nation OF Indians
II has been further stated TO the department by the
bn,"h minister 'ha, her Maies,ys government has Tor
several years endeavored her engagements to the
seIeo circumstances Of the case, but that every proposal
70 eUeC mas sncouuerpd Ibe
eontenuons IN central America between Nicaragua Costa
MICA, ana honduras the absence of any authority with
whcn permanent agreement could be made and vari-
Gus other causes, have hitherto prevented settlement of
this vexatious question.
The British government regards the committee NJ oov
eminent OF San Juan del Noe, above referred TO- az in
fact the real power which exercises authority in tba, n,
of Central America. II would be matter OF ind etenee
Great BIan whether that authority was exercised in
The name OF the King OF Mosquito or IN The name of Inc
city Of San Juan del Norts itself but IL desired hy the
Bfitsh government that the apparent state OF things
ehoald be made TO conform to the reality, which is moi
now the case the government being nominally carried
on in the name OF the King oil Mosquito while iii really
exercised by the committee organized at San Juan del
Nore, or Greytowp, under popular election.
What the British government would consider a good
and final arrang emen would be-
First. That San Juan del Norte, or Greytown, should
be free and independent port connected with Mosquito
BY such relations OF friendship and alliance "a may be
agreed upon.
Secondly That ipdemnihcaton, or advantages equIva-
lent 10 those laid down in the project OF convention oil Inc
oOh April, 1884, should be assured Mosquito IN re-
turn Tor ts whdrawa from IFS present position IN refer
snce TO the San Juan del Nor,e