The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-13
wAsnrscros. January IL, 1888.

STA: Although the substance of the following let
ter addressed TO the "New York Journal OF Com
merce," has been in great degree anticipated by your
article in this mornings Union, still have concluded
10 ask for It's insertion in your paper The discussion
upon the matter TO which il refers both in Congress and
out has il seems 10 me, dveged from the real point al
issue which is this Do the islands OF Bonacea. Boalan,
etc. fall within the scope and conditions OF the Clayton
Bulwer treaty! Admitting that Belize British Hondu-
intended TO be excepted from tbs effect oil 'ha
treaty, yet that exception cannot be extended 10 the
islands 10 question II is true they organized as de-
tendencies OF Belize but II than year alter
this treaty signed and the act violation and
defiance OF the treaty. They not and IN
any OF the term, dependencies OF British Hon
duTas
0ne word in respect Belize Senator Pearce is report
ed as having said that. although under the treaty OF 1856
the English had rights in Blush Honduras. except
woods and gather the fruits OF the earth purely
ura yet having in i7ss epulsed Spanish force 10
exPe them. they shave from that day to this taken
cason to extend their authority. etc. the ground thai
they had acquired a right by conquest"
This must be a mistake. The treaty OF 1855 was re-
vved in 1914, and snow in full force and effect between
England and Spain; and far from affecting hold
Belize by right OF conquest any other right, Great
Britain has since, and repeatedly recognised the binding
force of this treaty. which ngidy excludes her from
everything except ills conditional occupation for specific
purposes We need only look into the acts OF her Par
lament for proof OF this June Of. 1917, Parliament
passed act which received the royal sanction and
became a law. Il is entitled
IAN act for the efectual punishment of murders
and manslaughtes committed in places WITHIN his
Majesty's dominions"
And its enacting clause 10 as follows
"Whereas grievous murders and manslaughters have
been committed al the settlement in the Bay of Hondu-
ras THE SAME BEING SETTLEMENT CERTAIN
POSES POSSESSION AND UNDER THE PROTECTION
HIS MAJESTY. BUT NOT WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND DO
mNIoNs MAJESTY" sc.
This act amended in 1919, and is still in force
(See 81 George LII. p. 1897 1t Isl full recognition OF
the treaty Of 1856, revived in 1914, aud now in full
effect, Respectfully, yours,
L. G. sQUIER.
New YoRK. January 8, 1853.
To ate Editors of the Journal of Commerce:
GENrLEMEk: In the Journal of Friday last, in the
course OF article Central America, you observe that
the question OF territorial right in respect TO Belize
it is sometimes called, British Honduras" stands pre-
clsey where il did before the treaty OF 1850, known
the Clayton and Buwer treaty. You do not state. how
that the alleged exception. which II has from the
operation of that treaty. does not result from anything
the face OF the treaty ITSELF but from the mutual UNDER
standing OF its negotiators contained in the notes
Which ,nsy exchanged upon me subject and from The
part OF The Senate at tue time OF its ratcaon that ssch
an exception was intended.
But in your article you do not stop with admitting
the exception in favor Of Belize. You 20 further
and that the islands Of Roatan, Bonacca, Morat
Barbsrat and Helena are in reality dependencies Of Bse
and therefore, also excluded from the operation of the
treaty question. 10 prevent mistake quote from
artIce
But it has been seen not only that the settlement OF
Honduras but the small islands IN its neghborhood,
known its dependencies, expressly excluded from
the operation of that by the of its ath
cation So that if this government have any right to
protest ainst the establishment by Great an of the
colony Of ihs Bay Islands, its action must be founded
original detect in the title under which Great Brit
ain claims jurisdiction over what is known as British
Honduras and its dependencies"
In this assumption, constrained think. you are
entirely wrong The islands OF Roalan, Utia, ETC., are
not nor have they been, connected with depend
sn On Belize either OF politically Tbs
TO msappehenson in many minds in respect TO this mat
ter Honduras proper is the Stale, formerly PROVINCE OF
and separated from il by the State of Guatemala is the
English settlement of Belize, loosely called British
Honduras" perhaps from fronting on the bay Of tina,
name
Now, the islands in question lie along the north shore
and within sight OF the State OF Hondurss-are geog aph
cay dependent uponit and have always or until orcby
seized by Great Britain shall soon see both
province and republic. been under its political ursdic
ton.
Fortunately we know precisely what constitutes Be-
hze-no equal portion OF the world has had lis limits
more clearly defined.
It is well known that early in the last, fact earl,
as the preceding, century, the English made various
Adjustments the eastern coast OF Central America for
the purpose, under the prelex OF cutting woods
These establishments xete viewed with jealousy by the
opahlsn CroWn As deroRalng from It's sovereignty over
these countries which led frequent disputes, and final
y 10 war; which terminated in 1862 By the 17h ar,i
Gle Of the treaty al peace Of that year, provided
that His Briahnc Majesty shall cause 10 be demol-
shed all the Notifications which his subjects have
ed in the Bay of Honduras and other places of the terri
tory OF Spain in that part of the world within four
months"
Accordingly tho English demolished their forte but still
kept up OF their establishments, which of bad
faith again led ID BY the treaty OF peace of 1883
II was stipulated that the English might log WOOD,
etc, in the district "lyng between the Hondo and
Belize" Provided that the ipuia,ons shall be con-
sidered drogung in soiss the rights Of sopssega
ty OF the King of Spain" Ii also provided that all he Eng
lish who dispersed, whether the Spanish con-
linent or in any H hs and tchaerr dependent upon -
should once evacuae their establishments and retir.
within the district above defined
These provis ions not being sufficiently stringent sat
sfy Span having been evaded by the English anothe
treaty made In 1885, terms distinct and explicit
il was in The power OF language to make it. And a.
this treaty revived in 1914, and is still in force, beg
to quote the articles defining not only the limits OF
Belize, but the nature OF the under which can
lawfully be held by Great Britain. In the first place il
provides that.
"ART. 1. His Britannia Majesiys subjects and the
other coonisis who have hitherto enjoyed the
OF England, shall evacuate the country of the Mosquitoes
as well as the continent in general, and the islands adjs
cent, tcihou exception situated beyond the line
described what ough, be the frontier of the ex,en
Of territory granted by his Catholic Majesty the Eng
fish, Tor the specified in the Sd article Of the present
convention"
Arr a loE- - l.-u.s- f.IIz