The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-09-20
LANCAsTERvILLE, s. C,
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8, 1854
The Central American Question.


seems impossible for diplomacy longer to
defer final settlement of it. For a long
time England has claimed pro:ectorate
over a, moi well defined extent OF country,
generally known as the Mosquito Coast.
The U. s. government denies to England,
rs well as to the whole of Europe, the
right, to interfere in American affairs. or
to acquire territory on the continent and
numberless are the loteS that have
passed between the two governments in
relation to this affair. But hitherto ali
the efforts of diplomatic have failed to
settle the question and put it to rest
The gems of the Cyanc, however, in the
presence of British authorities and Brit
tish ships of war, have demolished
Greytown, and John Bull must, either
pocket the insult, and give up all claim
over the Mosquito Coast, or assert his
claim anew and demand satisfaction.
The history of this country runs back
almost into the dark ages. For nearly q
century previous to 1886, the English
clained a protectorate over this country ;
and perhaps something more, but in that
year, Spain, to whom the country right
fully belonged, concluded a convention
with Britain, by which the latter consen-
ted to evacuate the Mosquito Coast, and
any other part of Central America, except
the Balize and the sovereignty of that
place was acknowledged to he in the
Crown Of Spain. In 1914 the English
enloved into treaty Of alliance with
Spair, and again the Mosquito question
was discussed. England declared the
Balize, was not within the British terrific
ry, but merely "a settlement for certain
purposes. in the possession and under the
protection Of his Britannia Majesty.
Thus matters stood until the revolu-
lions Of Spanish America. England ell
couraged and helped these States to throw
off the Spanish authority, but when they
secceeded she still continued her posses
sion of the Baize. In 1926 a treaty be-
tween England and Mexico was conclud-
ed in which it was declared that English
subjects shall on no account be disturb.
ed or molested in the peaceable posses
sion and exercises Of whatever rights. priv
eleges and immunities they had in tho
times Of the Spanish Monarchy" The
question after this lay dormant for long
time, but when Uncle sam took the halls
OF the Montezumas, England alarmed, but
he might take all that Spanish American
region, took possession of San Juan de
Nicaragua, and gave it new name.
Then came the Clayton and Bulmer
treaty of 1850. These facts we have
compiled from our exchanges. For fur
ther information we recommended the fo..-
lowing extracts of letter from an
American in London to his firm in Plila
delphia." These facts are condensed into
as small combat as we could put tLLem,
and therefore they are given entire.
4" In the diplomatic circles here there in
some amusement at the position of our
Minister while contending with Lord Cla-
rendon against the British occupation of
Central America, in violation of Sir Hen.
ry Bu!wer's treaty with Mr.. Clayton
-Four notes have passed between them, il
seems, some account Of which has been
published here. In one of them Claren-
don raps Mr.. Buchanan S knuckles severe
ly. Mr.. b. had complained that the
British invaded and occupied Nicaragua
in February, l84S, under the unjust pre-
tension that the territory belonged to the
Mosquito Indians, and that she was their
protector. Lord G. repli.d to him that.
II the seizure by Great Britain was an ap-
gression, it was strange that he, Mr.. Buc6-
anan, had nsver complained Of it before,
while he was Secretary of State and then
proceeded to show from the correspon.
ience transmitted to Congress in 1850,
that Mr.. Buchanan and President Polk
had both been repeatedly apprized Of the
British intentions to occupy Central Amer
ca, and TO seize the port Of San Juan,
md to retain Belize as British terrific
y, and that not one word Of complaint
'ver came from the A ner;cap Govern
nent during Mr.. Buchanan's administers
ion. Lord 9. then, am assur, ed from a
Ugh authority, taunted Mr.. Il. that he
lad himself as Secretary, acknowledged
he British title at Belize, by sending an
american Consul there. Nv. Buchanan's
Ppoiptplent as Minister here, TO conduct
ne correspondence, under the circumstan-
q, was rather unfortunate for us.
Mr. Buchanan's omissions in regard
Central American diplomacy wers full
cared by Mr.. Cl lytcn,s admirable trea-
!. But, unluckiIy for Us, Mr.. Clayton,
imediateIy after making this treaty,
snt out Of Office, and then NJ. Webster