Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-01-18

revived by Great Britain against the Cen
tral American States, the legitimate sne-
cessors to ali the ancient Jurisdiction Of
Spain in that region. They were FIRST ap-
piled toonly defined part Of the coast Of
Nicaragua, afterwards to the whole of its
Atlantic coast. aud lastly to a part Of the
coast Of Costa Mea; and they are now reas-
serted to this entent, notwithstanding en-.
gagelnents to the United States.
On the eastern coast of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, the interference af Great Brit
aia, though exerted 1T one time in the form
OF military occupation Of the port of San
Juan del Norte, then in the peaceful pos
session of the appropriate authorit les of tie
Cantral American States, is now presented
by her as the rishtfui exercise of protec-
torship over the Mosquito tribe of Indi-
ans.
But the establishment at tue Balize, now
/ reaching far beyond its treaty limits into the
State of Honduras, and that of the Bay is
lands, appertainmS Of rigat to the same
State, are as distinctly colonial governments
as those Of Jamaica Or Canada, and there
fore contrary TO the very letter as we'll as
the spirit Of the convention wish the United
States, as il was at the time Of ratification,
aud no. Is, understood by this govern
ment.
The Interpretation which the British gov
ernmeut, thus in assertion and act, persists
in ascribing 10 the convention, entirely
changes its character. While it holds us to
all our obligations, it in. great measure
releases Great Britain from those, which
constituted the consideration of this govern
ment ter entering iuto tAc convention. II
is impossible, in my judgment, for the Uni
ted States TO acqulesce in such a construc-
ton of the respective relations of the two
! governments of Central America.
To renewed call BY this government
upon Great Britain, to abide hy, and carry
into effect, The stipulations of the conyen-
4 ton according to its obvious import, by
wlth3rawing from tie possession or col
ouization of portions Of the Central Ameri-
can States of Honduras, Nicaragua, and
Costa Rica, the British government has at
length replied, affirming that the operation
/ of the treaty IS prospective only, AMI did
/ not require Great Britain to abandonor con-
+ tract ans possessions held by her in Central
Americ., at the date of It's conclusion.
( This reply substitutes i partial issue, in
1 the piece Of the general one presented bY
/ the United States. The British government
passes over the question Of the rights Of
Great sBEitair, reIi ofsSapp5sed, in t;5ntfal
America, aad assumes that she hal such
rights at the date Of ths treaty, aud .hat
those rights comprehcnael the protectors
/ shipo OF tue Mosquito Indians, the extended
! jurisdiction and limits Of the BaIise. and the
colony Of the Buy islands, and thereapon
proceeds by implication to infer, that, if the
stiPulations OF the treaty be merely future
IN effect, Great Britain may still continue
70 hold the contested portions of Central
America. The United States cannot ad-
NIT either the inference or the premises We
/ steadily deny, that, at the date Of the treaty
Great Britain had any possessions there,
other than the limited and peculiar establisF-
ment at the Balize, and alaintain that, if She
had any, they were surrendered BY the con-
4 ve1iioa.
This government, recognizing tie obli-
I cations of the treaty, has of course, desired
+ to see it executed III good faith by Do,h
/ parties, and IN tie discussion, therefore.
/ has not looked to rights, which we migi;
assert, Independently OF the treaty, 10 con-
sideratian Of our geograp phical position aud
OF other circumstances, which create for
Us relations to tha Central American State,
different from those Of any govetament in
Europe.
The British government, in its last com
munication, although we'll knowing the
views OF the Uaited States, still declares
tlat il sees no reason why conciiatoly
spirit may nos enable the goyernm3nts 10
overcome all obstacles to satisfactory ad-
jastment of the subject.
Assured of the correctness of the con-
s5ruction Of the treaty constantly adhered
to BY this government, AID resolved to ln-
sist on the rights Of the United States, yet
actuated also by the same disire, whiea is
agowed by the British government, to re-
move oil cansos of serious misunderstand-
ing between two nations, associated BY 50
many ties OF interest aud kindred, It has ap-
peared to me proper nor to consider an ami
cable solution Of tke controversy hope-
less.
There is, hogeger, reason to apprehend,
that with Great Btita:n in the actual oscu-
patton of the disputed territories, and the
treaty therefore practically null, 50 far as
regards our rights, this internationa! diff
Guilty cannot long remain undetermined,
without involving in serious danger the
friendly relations, which it is the interest
as well as the duty Of both countries to
cherish and preserve. It will afford me
sincere qualification, il future efforts shall
result in the success, anticipated heretofore
with more confidence than the aspect of the
case permits me no~ to entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain has
grown out of the attempt, which the ext
gencies OF the war in which she is engaged
with Russia induced her to make, to draw
recruits from the United States.
lis the traditional and settled policy of
the United States to maii.tain impartial
neutrality during the wars which from time
to time occur among the great powers of
the world. Performing all the duties Of
ueutrility t0waiGs the rsspectire beliiae-