New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-12
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN QUESTION
THE RSHIP-SENATORIAL COR
MINIMUM

From Our Own correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. 10, 1855.
The long and labored correspondence relative to
the difficulties in Central America, leaves the
practical question pretty much where IL stood five
years ago. Immediately after the death Of Gem
Taylor. When Sir Henry Bulwer found it con.
vtnient to put false Interpretation on the treaty,
and in which partial construction Mr. Fillmore
acquiesced from ignorance Of the subject and Mr..
Webster from disinclinatiOn to investigate it, a.
well as indispostiOn to carry out any matured
purpose Of his predecessor, Mr.. Clayton.
The proclaimed object Of the Clayton Bulwer
Treaty, was to e1pel British influence from Cen
trail America, where it had settled do Tn like some
fell spirit and by dint Of arrogant pretension
had, through a succession of years, without the
color Of right, absorbed large part of the terri
tory. Had Gen. TaylO lived, the treaty would
have been fulfilled at any cost or consequence.
But unhsppily for the country, he died, and this
legacy, with the complications resulting from ne
glect and delay, were bequeathed to the present
Administration.
At about the time of the exchange of rAtifca-
tons, Great Britain, with that grasping ambition
which has signalized her policy for a thousand
years, not content with the previous extension of
territorial jurisdiction, acquired the islani Of
Ruatan, which has since been colon lied When
questioned by the Government here as to this pro.
ceeding, answer was returned that The acquisition
existed at the period of adopting the treaty, and
that as, according to the Interpretation of the
British Government it's operation was perspeCtirc,
no accountability whatever was due to the United
States.
When this subject was first brought to the 10.
tice of the British authorities by Mr.. Buchanan
postponement Of the discussion was solicited, On
the ground that official attention was Engaged ia
the war. Time was granted, and it was only dur.
ing the Spring and Summer Of 1854 that the nego-
tistiOns we're got fairly under way. From that
time until now the diplomatsts have been exchang-
ing shots upon the basis of Gov. Marcy's instruc-
tons. England has conceded nothing and the
United States have claimed much In point of fact
no substantial progress bas been made toward
satisfactory settlement
Considering the extent and value of our cOmmu
nic8tiOns with the Pacific, Great Britain cannot
be allowed TO retain so important position on the
highway of commerce as that of Rua,an without
adopting some protective remedy against the con.
stanty impeding danger of interference from that
quarter. This is a point of embarrassment, and
like all others connected with the Central Ameri-
can question, very difficult of solution. But three
alternatives are seemingly presented, and they
must be practically considered in their order.
treaty asserted by England, and her action under
il the second u.s. to Insist upon Interpretation
of that instrument, and thus force England to q
collision and the third to mske some acquisition
core spending in value and position to that of
Ruatan, fortify it, and thus establish means of
protection, which would give security to trade and
travel From the present aspect of things, the
last of these alternatives or something like it, Will
probably be adopted, as furnishing mode OF avoid
nd Of all fba
conflict Of opinion which now exists.
Another day of struggle s over, and still the
Speakership remains suspended in the balance. BY
urgent endeavors Mr.. Banks rose to 107 votes
this morning, but was still short Of majority.
The Pennsylvania members, who aid was at all
with three exceptions, Messrs. Fuller,
Mill " ard, and Brown, came TO the rescue The
two fret are pre- pared to decide tbs contest in his
favor whenever their votes will directly control
the result. The laIt is not counted among hope
lul contingencies. One of the New. York men,
who stil holds out has indicated his Willingness to
turn the scale at tue moment of emergency And
a decision is also expected from the west.
There are several gentlemen just nov who
are quite willing to assume the credit OF
electine the speaker by their individual
votes. end hence the hesitation in coming
forward There are enough political contingent
remainders to perfect the organization at any
hour if the Or DECISIONS which have been made can
ard instrument of pressure nave been put INTO
10 prevent this contamination, and to
r. stu ain the few, upon whom the issue depends,
frsm following their present inclinatons. Mr..
Wheeler of New.YOrk stands out against all en-
treaty and all principle, and he deserves to be held
responsible for the existing complications Per
hans be will discover before long the full extent of
his blunder and folly.
resolution was offered by ne member, to
sdcpt the plurality principle; but, as it was done
without concert, and at an inopportune moment,
it failed to carry. That movement, II prepared at
all, was designed to be proposed TO morrow, but
mot until free interchange of opinion had taken
place. A very good reason for ito abandonment Is
now suggested Mr. Richardson, the Administra-
ton candidate, polled seventysix votes to-day,
and il is pretty we'll known shat the whole South
ern American support, which concentrated on Mr..
Marshall is ready TO be transferred to the foraer,
should the plurality be adopted and the alternative
betW cen Richardson and Banks presented. This
con binstiop, with a detection among professed
anti. ebraska men belonging to the Northern
Know NothiDgs, would at least endanger the cleo
ton If Banks, If not secure the trump OF Rich
ardsor. Hence the doubt Of carrying out this
Iolicy.
The Standing Committees Of the Senate are all
cut anc dried, and would have been announced to-
day hut for the usus courtesy of waiting upon the
orcspizaton of the House. A good deal OF trouble
occurred on one of these arrangements, relating to
contracts, and the Committee was enlarged in or
der TO obyate the odium of an appointment, which
excited uniSsrsa distruss and disgust. 1t is No
secret here, though a Notifying one for the
country's sake, that Senatorial position has been
used to advance personal objects and mercensry
ends. and those who have engaged in this dlscredif-
able business are just as well known about Wash
ineton ss the City Hall is known in New-York.
INoEX.