The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-13


hs, Of 1885, was entered into between the parties II
extended the limits southwardly the coast from the
Belize to the Siboon river, distance, IN direct line,
Judging by the map. OF ten or twelve miles tprovded
that all the British subjects should evscuato the Mos
quito country, well the continent and the islands
adjacent. without exception aud. Also that the English
might cut woods, and "saher such fruits OF the earth
purely natural and uncutyaled bat prohibited cal-
valion aud manufacturing esabl shmenls, with the
cepton OF mills the timber, because all the lands in
question being ndlspulaby acknowledged TO belong the
Crown of SPAIN settlements OF that kind the popula-
ton which would follow could be allowed. The British
also permiedt0 one small island (St George
Key) without forli6caon. for purposes oil real utility
islands eight leagues from the Belize river, for SINH
lar purpose, and with similar restrictions II made
press provision for the reservation OF Spanish SOW
eIegnly over the country" and against the formation
of any system OF government either civil or military
and declared that il the British subjects did
not eyacuae the centre continent and the islands adj
lacsn &c, and retire within the limits above speci-
ied"that is between the Siboon and the Hondo rivers
should be daring as TO presume to endeayOr to
obstruc the entire excavations, &c., the British govern
ment "will disavow them IN the most solemn manner,
will equally do those who may hereafter attempt TO
settle upon territories belonging to the Spanish domin
ion," &c. No man can examine this brief review with
out the entire conviction that all the British claimed, or
could claim, possessory right under the Crown
of SPAIN for the purpose Of cutting mahogany and log
wood These treaties prohibit in the most express terms,
all Notifications, single piece OF artillery any
establishments strictly relating to the above purposes
And nothing can be palmer than the language by which
all pelenson whatever TO the Mosquito country IS elIn'
pushed.
This arrangement was severely attacked by the oppo-
son in the House Of Lords. has been already no.
tced by the senator from Delaware but it was vgor-
ously defended BY Lord Thurlow, the Chancellor. the
organ OF the ministry, who maintained with great FORCE
supporting his position by diplomatic and historical ref
erences--that England had no Just claim to the Mos
quito country and, division, the ministry was sus
tanned, in other words, decided that there was
no such claim, by majority OF four TO one.
another I'll
land and Spain, which confirmed these and other existing
treaties between the two powers and held each TO faith
full execution of them. &tf
In 1917 an ACT was passed by the British Parliament
entitled San act for the more efeciual punishment of
murders and manslaughiers committed in places not with
ari.voua .nariars shtars have basn
mitted at the settlement in the bay OF Honduras, the
being settlement for certain purposes in the pos
session and under the protection OF his Majesty, but not
within the territory and dominons OF his Majesty, &c.
Another act. amendatory OF this, was passed in 1919.
recognising the same principle and both fully concede
And to this day. although dominion and sovereignty
practically asserted there yet appearances are preserved
for these possessions the main land not called
colony but settlement, and are presided over by SUI
and not by governor.
And have charge recently delivered by Mr..
Chief Justice Temple, at the head OF the judiciary es-
Enlistment OF Honduras, to the grand jury at Belize in
which he says: "Bu claim and hold the whole OF the
country between the Hondo and the Sarstoon, which is
more than double the former tract'that is the tract
he continues, edo hold the country between Sarstoon
ard the Siboon |" Neither, he says by grant by
quest. but "by occupation; and he then goes on to
place the British claim simply on The ground OF the occu
patton of country by the first discoveries referring
Vaiel authority, though Spain were not indls-
putaby the frs. dscoverer OF those regions and had not
TAXI possession of them long years before English
man there. Such prelenson is the best
tradction OF the title OF England, and needs refuta-
ton but its simple statement for it is utterly Inconsistent
with the treaties by which she comedies The sovereignty
he in mo rel led hy he Chie ins-
lice, that country be entirely vacant any nation may
take possession OF it, is good in its place, blu, It has
no place here.
The senator from Delaware in his remarks the other
day, referred TO singular incident relation to the rea-
ty OF 1883. which has been brought TO light by the
cent publication OF the life OF Fox by Lord John Russell
and it is rather marked feature in this history OF
croachments beg leave again 10 introduce with
particular reference 10 the documents. The sixth article
OF that treaty described the country to be abandoned
the Spanish continent" Continent Espagnol !" and the
English cabinet TO have had great reluctance
give up the Mosquito coast, as they evidently re-
qured To- do By that provision. Alter much delay, an
expedient suggested 10 the difficulty which,
il not in diplomatic proceedings is rarely revealed
so auhortatively to the world This treaty of
the dehntve treaties growing Out OF the acknowl-
edgment OF our independence and the condition OF
England required the immediate adjustment OF all the
questions connected with that great event, including
peace with France, Spain. and Holland. MIR. Fox,
10 note TO the King, dated July is, 1888, undertook
to reconcile him to the measure, BY show wing how
the fair consequences OF the engagement might be
avoided There has BEEN" said Mr. Fox. "a great
deal of discussion upon this matter; but il appearing
10 be still in power 10 put Interpretation
upon the words Continent Espdgnoi and determine up
prudential considerations (no by honest consructon)
whether the Mosquito shore comes under that description
Boi, therefore, immediate action very desira
BILE, the cabinet recommended the signature OF treaty.
leaving this article untouched, and had instructed Mr.
Fox to ask the Kings consent To this application the
King answered that cit a very unioward crcum-
stance that dehnilye treaty cannot be signed without
leaving clear ground Tor fresh dispute but do not
by this reflection TO object to The opinion OF the cabinet
that the Spanish treaty should not of the sixth
article be longer delayed" Whether the Kings remark
the result OF prudential considerations, OF consc
enlious scrupes, have not the OF knowing
acQ uiescence.
II ia difficult TO reconcile this ortuous policy, dishonest
indeed, with the frank and upright character OF Mr. Fox
statesman. BY what bubble he expected to be able
TO maintain the English possessions in Mosquito in
the face OF this stipulation 10 evacuate the "Spansh
am utterly at loss 10 conjecture. do not
see that any technical maxim like that OF the Queens
advocate could be resored here for the purpose OF de-
ieang the obvioas intention OF the parties, any ar
fetal rule OF construction unless, indeed was designed
contend that the term Spanish continent defined moth
ing, such continent exists il being the American
OF the treaty OF 1883 would have been about fair
some of the advanced for defeating the treaty of
1850.
Lord Palmerstons commentary upon this provision is
truly characteristic he says that the treaty OF 1883
did not apply 10 the Mosquito teriioy,l that treaty
mentioned only the Spanish possessions America, and
said nothing about Mosquito" The Spanish ooni-
nepr' the term, and no man could honestly msun-
dersiand IL. Mr.. Fox knew perfectly well what II meant,
and knew the construction the Spanish government put
upon il and am sorry he has found who
gives his adhesion 10 such prudential considerations
In bfc he res n a rIqh t