Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-01-18
Central Americn.

A Washington correspondent OF the
Richmond Enquirer, writing under date Of
the Sd inst, says:
Mr.. CLAYTON made very able speech in
the Senate to day, on Central American
affairs, and in defence of the treaty which
he NEGOTIATED, when Secretary of State,
with SinIIenry Bulwer. 1t is a subj ect in
which he evidently feels much interest.
The negotiation of the treaty. at tho time
it was made, was looked upon by some as
a great diplomatic feat on the part OF Mr..
Clayton, and one which would put him
far head of all competitors for the high
G est honors which his party might be able
} to bestow But now finding that this ac-
ton, which once promised so much. is
:, total failure. and that he was Sen'ircIy'cir-
cumvented by the British negota'or, he
is particularly anxious to vndicate himself.
Besides, other rivals for wing leadership
are pressing upon Mr.. Clayton he feels
that Mr. Everett and Mr.. Fillmore have
gained much strength whilst he has lost
some,
o Mr. Clay{on's speech was full ofhistor-
cal and literary research, and character
lied By his usual fine ability. 1t was
scathing narrative of British policy, for
more than a century, in Central America
exhibiting its grasping ambition and its
particular purposes. 1t was convincing
as to the great fact, that Great Britain has
not shadow of a just Pretext for inter
ference in the affairs of that part OF the
Continent. All admit. who heard to day
of may hereafter read the speech OF Mr..
O Clayton, that is was thorough VlndIca-
ton in regard to his treaty. He no
doubt, expected by it to pat stop to Brit
ash intrigue and influence, and TO- haze
secured The early completion, under the
auspices Of bottI Governments, of an Inter
Oceanic Canal. But the proof of this
failure is found in the existing fact. that
the Canal is not yet c 2mmenced, and that
negotiations Of delicate and unsettled
q character are at this moment going on
between our Government and that of Eng
land, about these very matters.
In exactly six days after the news Of
the signing of the Treaty with Mexico at
Guadalupe Hdalgo. by which we had &C
quired our possessions on the Pacific coast,
had reached Greytown, an English ex-
petition sailed up the San Juan to enforce
the British protection over the King OF the
Mosquitoes. The English agents had their
orders, and so soon as it was ascertained
thatewe had acquired territory on the Pa
ciic coast, steps, were taken by England
to take possession, or to prevent us from
doing SO, Of our shortest and most conve-
nient mode Of access to them. In all SUD-
scQuent negotiations. the object was to
gain time, and Sir Henry Bulwer adroltly ,
deceived Mr.. Clayton with mere words,
capable of different meanings, to effect this
object. Mr.. Clayton succeeded in getting
a treaty, which is of no value beyond the
parchment on which it is written.
The Erst English pretence for delay in
the execution OF the treaty, WAS a differ
ence about its construction. This ruSe
=alone would be fatal to it. But England
has adopted another plan, which is quite
as efficacious for her purpose, and less Ii
able to exposure. She has taken advan-
tage of the petty jeolousies and rivalries
between the little Central American States,
and has fostered them by her intringues.
The Eve states which once composed the
Central American Udlon, were arrayed
into hostility against each other, upon the
breaking up of the Union In 1881. All
efforts since to restore the Union have fall i
ed. They are divided into two parties.
Costa RIGA and Guatemala are entirely
under British influence. whilst the others
are favorable to American interests. Taking {
advantage Of an old question OF boundary r
between Costa RIGA and Nicaragua aud
of the state Of feeling England has fUmen
,eIinto difficulty This is one Of the chic f :
reasons assigned by her why the canal :,
cannot be commenced, because it must
pass through the disputed territt ry..
These matters are all Of very delicate