Washington sentinel., 1854-01-04

portion of Central America, or that she shall not
destroy such Notifications, or subvert such do
minion if once established therein.
| understand Mr.. Clayton also 10 assert that by
the treaty Great Britain has abandoned all do
minion in the whole of Central America which
assertion is in my opinion, incorrect, and at va
rance with the fact, at least as regards Belize and
its dependencies, if, indeed, this exception was
| not intended by him.
1have, &c, I'D. HARDING.
THE EARL OF CLARENDON,
&c., &C., DC.
Lord Clarendon to Mr.. Champion.
No. 36l FOREIGN OFFICE, May 27th, 1853.
SIR As great misconception appears TO prevail
not only among the people of the United States
but also among persons placed in high and respon-
sble situations in the government of that country
with regard to the true nature ofthe engagements
into which Great Britain entered by the conven-
ton of Washington, Of April 10Th, 1850, with re-
spect to her present and future relations with
Mosquito, and the other nations of Central Ameri-
corrected might lead 10 serious Misunderstanding
between Great Britain and the United States,
think il highly desirable that that question should
without delay, be put upon its right footing, by a
clear aud distinct explanation Of the view which
her Maiestys government takes of il, and Of the
conduct which they intend TO pursue with regard
| to it.
The article ~ in the treaty which treats of this
matter runs thus:
| The governments of Great Britain and the
United States hereby declare that neither the one
nor the other will ever obtain, or maintain for il
| self, any exclusive control over the said ship
| canal; agreeing that neither will ever erect or
| maintain ''any Notifications commanding the same
or in the vicinity thereof, occupy, or fortify, or
colonize, or assume, or exercise any dominion
| over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, or the MOSQUITO
coast, or any part Of Central Americas nor will
either make use Of any protection which either
affords, may Afford or any alliance which either
| has, or may have, 10 or with any State people
4 for the purpose of erecting or maintaining any
such fortifcations, or Of occupying or fortifyng,
or colonizing Nicaragua, Costa Rica or the Mos
quito coast or any part Of Central America, or OF
| assuming or exercising dominion over the same" "
TO every stipulation contained in this article
her majestys government will faithfully adhere
| They will neither seek to obtain any exclusive
control over the ship canal, if ever formed, nor
1 will they erect any fortifcation commanding or in
the vicinity Of that canal; nor will occupy, or
| fortify, or coonize, or assume, or exercise any
dominion over any part Of Central America; nor
will they make use of any protection which they
| afford or may afford, or any alliance which they
have or may have TO, or with any State or people,
for the purpose Of occupying, terrifying, or colon
zing, any part Of Central America, or of assuming
or exercising dominion over the same.
All these engagements Great Britain will reli-
giously keep, she does not doubt that they will
be religiously kept by the United States. But
Great Britain has no where, in the treaty of April
1850, renounced nor ever had any intention to re-
nounce, the full and absolute right which she pos
sesses over her own lawful territories in Central
| America, such as that designation was distinctly
understood and declared by the negotiators of the
| treaty; nor has Great Britain renounced, by the
treaty the protection which she has for centuries
past afforded, and still affords, 10 the Mosquito
/ territory With view TO relieve the question OF
| the Mosquito territory, of whatever there may be
ofindefnite about il, and to place il upon clear
4 L. e. ~
Gus to Mosquito ITSELF and to all the powers which
are in any way connected with or concerned in it,
| her Majesty's government have already, on many
occasions within the last twelvemonth, made over
tnres OF the fairest and most liberal and practical
character, TO the United States government in
viting that government 10 go hand in hand with
the government Of Great Britain, in devising and
establishing scheme of adjustment, by which the
affairs of Central America, Mosquito included,
shall be satisfactorily and permanently settled and
the honor of Great Britain, ancient protector of
Mosquito, shall be preserved intact.
Her MaJestys government are still reaGy and
| desirous. at any moment, to enter into friendly
communication with the United States govern
ment on this important matter; and they are OF
opinion that the sooner such negotiation is opened
and terminated, the better it will be for all the par
ties concerned, and the greater will be the secu-
rity for the maintenance of the friendly relations
which now so happily subsist between Great Bri.
tain and the United States.
/ Dut oHth ouCh sStuSIucut DC nnauy COnCluueu,
il is obvious that Great Britain cannot abandon
her present position with regard TO Mosquito,
nor can she permit either Nicaragua or Honduras
10 assert and still less to attempt to establish by
force of arms, over any part of Mosquito, a right
of possession which Great Britain has always
denied, and still denies And if either Nicaragua
| or Honduras were still 10 continue 10 make ag
gressions on the Mosquito territory with that OBJ
ject, it must be at their own peril.
Such are the views which her Majestys govern
ment entertain with respect to Central America
as affected by the treaty of Washington of the 10th
of April, 1850, and such is the course of conduct
which her Majestys government propose to pur-
sue with respect 10 that country, and 10 the vari
Gus questions which have arisen, or may arise
under the treaty will, however add, that her
Majesty's government have no intention OF dis.
turbing, or departing in any way fromthc arrange
ment entered into between the two governments
for the maintenance Of the de facfo government
and position of Greytown.
You will read this dispatch TO the United States
Secretary Of State, and you will at the same time
time repeatto himthe earnest desire which'is felt