The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-20


we stand upon it. and hereafter. 1t will at
elicit discussion and bring about deberaon and
lion perhaps; and that's all which at pAsent purpose
to effect. A. p.
EXTRACTS FROM THE SPEECH OF HON. A. G..
BROWN, OF MISSISSIPPI, ON OUR FOREIGN RE-
LATI0NS.
The press of important and interesting matter upon
columns is great that reluctantly compelled
give readers only few extracts from the able speech
of the distinguished senator from Mississippi These
tracts will indicate the noble and patriotic stand taken by
the SENATOR and the forcbe and eloquent in which
his positions are sustained
The e-mion-appropriation bill being under consd-
Grafton
Mr.. BROWN said:
Mr. PAEslDEsT AS the Senate is probably aware it is
my purpose TO address it especially the provisions
of this bill Heretofore have orborne to take any part
in the debates which have taken place in the Senate ref
to difficulties with Great Britain. have ppr-
sued this because, among other reasons thought
it best to wait until the whole correspondence before
us that might have opportunity of examining it and
speaking inteligenty in reference to it when spoke at
ALL wish to advert very briefly to the points Of
difference between this government and that of Great Brit
ain first in reference 10 the construction of the Clay
and Bulwer treaty and secondly and perhaps at
length, in reference to the enlistment question
In this whole controversy, from the beginning down to
the present time, think own government has been
rght but hare speech TO make in reference the
matters Of difference shall DE most happy, Ameri-
States
this Union if these difficulties be adus without
lille shall speak plainly and call things
by their right names TO utter expression design
ed to excite spirit in the country.
confess sir that have been unable to understand
how it is why it is that much difficulty has been
found in reaching proper conclusion as to what is the
construction of the somewhat-ceebrated treaty
commonly called the ClayonBuwer treaty. 1t has seem
ed from the beginning ii does that the Ian
guage is susceptible of but construction. do not
know how shall proceed TO demonstrate that which is al
DIV pln no maxi In
the frs, article it is stipulated that neither will
maintain any Notifications commanding the same
that IT, the canal" in the vicinity thereof OCCUPY
fortfy, eoonize, ASSUME EXERCISE domn-
ion over Nicaragua Costa Roa the Mosquito coast any
part Of Central America"
When party is obliged not to occupy and to exer-
else any dominion over particular country, the ordinary,
plain common OF would conclude that he could
not remain in that country; that being there be must
withdraw because If he remains in the country he must
necessarily occupy the country and If be occupies H. be
must necessarily exercise authority it, know, sir
that before this treaty ratified the British negodaor
addressed note to the American Secretary Of State in
which he said:
ain proceeding to the exchange of the notifications Of the
convention signed at Washington the 18th OF April 1880
between her Britannia Majesty and the United States OF
by ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the
undersigned, her Britannia Majesys penpoteniary has
received her Maestys instructions declare that her
Majesty does not understand the Of that
tion to apply to her Mess settlement at Honduras TO
its dependencies Her Maestys ratification Of the said
yeuon exchanged under the explicit declaration above
mentioned"
1t therefore appears that the only portion of the country
in the vicinity Of Central America which, according
to the declaration fled the time by the British negota-
tor was not covered by the treaty the British settle
ment at Honduras The American Secretary and negotaor
replied TO that note as follows:
"The language Of the fret article OF the convention CON
euded on the 18th day Of April last between the United
States and Great Britain describing the country not 10 be
occupied, &c by either Of the parties, was yos know
twice approved by government and neither
derstnod by them, by either OF the negotaors "a
include the British settlement in Honduras, Commonly
called British Honduras disftHct from the State Of Hon
durus.")
Again:
understood to apply to- and does include, all the
Central American states OF Guatemala Honduras, San Sal
vador Nicaragua and Costa Bca with their just limits and
proper dependencies"
These exchanged Immediately preceding the
exchange Of ratiheaons and Of course after the treaty
had been ratified by the Senate II s therefore clear tina
IL understood both sides by the contracting par
ties at the time when the notifications of the treaty
exchanged, that the State Of Honduras coutradstn
gushed from the settlement known British Honduras
covered by the treaty. IL understood that the
whole Of Central America matter by what 1t W.T.
known covered by the treaty and that both parties
obliged themselves not 10 occupy and not TO exercise do
minion any part Of IT, The British government
undertook and maintained for long time endeavored
to maintain that she bad the right Notwithstanding these
plain and stubborn facts Notwithstanding the plain and
explicit language OF the treaty. to occupy certain portions
OF the country which she herself admitted 10 be within the
limits Of Central America. This was her first claim bat
being driven from tbsposoR she subseq assumed
different ground. On the 10th Of January, 1854 Mr.
Buchanan informs Secretary Marcy that be had had
yersaton with Lord Clarendon in reference the points
difference between the two governments After discussing
a great number Of questions, Mr.. Buchanan saysl
"After this We bad dsoursive and rambling converse
ton, embracing the Ruasn and Belize questions the Clay
ton and Buwer treaty, and several other matters which
do not propose to detail In the of Il be stated
tincuy, hat hi' treaty "o', - hcr opinion,
~ i operation, and did require them abandon
any Of their posscssions ~ Central America"
Here, for the FIRST time the ground is taken that the
treaty s prospective In its operation The first ground
as understand, s virtually abandoned viz: that parc
lar portions Of territory not covered BY the general
Of Central Americas but now admitting those parts
which the British occupy be portion Of Central Amer
ca II IL conended that the terms OF the treaty are pros
pecve in their operation and do not require them "a
abandon those parts which they then occupied.
Now, sir, the plain, common-sease understanding Of
In private life this would look very much like
an attempt At fraud Let me suppose Mr. President that
you and have a controversy TO the occupancy OF
house which has Ave apartments being In the actual oc
cupancy Of one Of them and sign written agreement
that from particular date neither Of win occupy that
house exercise authority over IL II afterwards
that meant by this simply be left in the possession o.
the NTH apartment and that the 6rs second brd, and
fourth we're not included, IN what position would stand
" assumed such ground that and before any in
egent jury in Chrstendom and escaped with very small