The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-21
Honduras-Gen. BnrrsntlIn's Important sIis
sion-Ovcrtures Of Annexation.

ments &C., &C.
Hondrras-Gen. BnrrstndIn's Important Ffis-
sion-Ovcrtures OF Annexation.
The telegraphic despatch which we publish
this morning from Washington, relative to the
mission of Don Jose Barrundia, from Honduras
to the United States, involves subject of the
highest possible Importance to that country
and our own-to the interests of our commerce,
to our strength upon the seas, and to the extern
sion of our institutions, our laws and our con-
stitution over the transitory republics and
foreign dependencies which lie between us and
the Isthmus Of Darien
1t appears that Gen. BaITundia is charged
from the secret instructions OF the Legislature
of Honduras, in their recent proceedings at the
capital of the State, Comayagua, with nothing
less than the momcntous proposition Of imme-
date and absolute annexation to the United
States of the Independent State Of which he is
the representative. He comes to make the
voluntary offer, without money and without
price. of another commonwealth. great in re-
sources commanding in its commercial posi-
ton. to the magnificent constellation of our
federal Union. The immediate and the ulti-
mate advantages suggested by the acceptance
of this proposition, must be apparent at glance,
to our intelligent readers Let.us briefly illus
trate the more prominent consequences and
bearings of the annexation Of Honduras.
The State or republic Of Honduras lies on
the south side of the gulf of that name, with
the State of Nicaragua to the south and Guatc-
mala on the west. OF its superficial extent we
have no accurate data. 1t is probably equal
in size to the State of Ohio, without including
the territory on the Atlantic coast occupied by
England as a sort of mahogany and logwood
cutting colony, and which, we presume, is not
included in the projet of Senior Barrunda. 1t
has population Of 100000, and its exports in
1885 WERE according to McCulloch, S749,000.
From the extreme fertility of the soil, and its
varied tropical productions, under our govern
ment these exports might be readily increased
to eight or ten millions per annum, to say no.
thing of the mineral riches of the country.
With the acquisition Of Honduras, therefore, we
should gain this amount Of commerce, and the
traffic in exchange for it. We should also gain
an important commercial and naval position in
the gulf, commanding the Caribbean sea0nd
the western outlet into it of the Gulf of Mexico.
In political view we should acquire the nu-
cleus for the rapid, yet peaceful, absorption Of
all the Central American States to the south
and the west, and of the Mexican States to
the northward. We should thus be taking
Mexico in the front and in the rear; and the
beneficial effects of Anglo Saxon enterprise and
our benign political institutions, would soon
operate on both sides to bring the distracted
and helpless Mexican States into our Union,
like flock of sheep following their leader over
a break in the fence, into rich and unlimited
pasture. The remaining States of Central
America would undoubtedly follow rapidly in
the movement Of Honduras; and thus, without
war, and without Gadsden treaties the key will
he furnished by Gen. Barrundia, for the annex
alton, reclamation and development of the
whole of that vast region extending from the
Rio Grande to New Granada. Thus line of
policy is suggested by which we may secure
the speedy and absolute possession of all the
isthmus inter oceanic passages, from Tehuante-
pee to Panama, and oil the ports, keys, islands,
bays, &C., on both sides, along several thousand
miles of sea coast
Since the annexation Of Texas and the incor-
poration Of California among the States of our
Union there can be no doubt that among the
intelligent classes Of the people of Mexico and
Central America, there has been growing de-
sire for annexation, pari passu with the progress
and prosperity Of Texas and California under
our institutions, and from the go-ahead, enter
prising character Of our people. The influence
Of these examples has extended even TO the
Sandwich Islands; and hence the offer, year
or two since, from the government Of King
Kamehameba, for the annexation of those
islands, great and small, volcanoes and all, to