Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-03-22
our RELAr1oNs w1TH ENGLAND.

ellis of both nations, and topic of deep
est interest among the subjects of both
powers. For those who are opposed to
the present administration, this subject
has afforded an occasion of much undue
vitupcration and party spleen. We have
read the official documents relative to
this vexed question, and we feel Just
pride that our national affairs are COM
mitted to men so able and resolved to
maintain entire our country's honor
All honor to Americas Minister at the
Court of St. James, for the manner in
which he conducted himself in national
affairs, now supposed by many to be in
critical state, Pennsylvania may Justly
boast Of JAMES BUCHANAN and we trust
that the good sense of the American
people will appreciate his efforts in the
present difficulty.
We are not anxious for war: nav. we
dcprecate it, and would make every hon
orable concession to avoid it; but, at the
same time, we must applaud the present
administration for the noble stand it has
taken relative to the Ciayton-Dulwer
treaty. Far preferable would be war,
with its thousand horrors, than the re-
linquishment of one iota of national
honor. Many of our cotcmporaries seem
to think that proper vigilance over our
foreign relations is a great desire to em-
broil the country in war This is a great
mistake, and in the present case, the in
fuence of men with such intentions can
have no bearing upon our national course.
We believe that all Americans desire the
continuance of amieable relations between
this country and England, and sincerely
wish to avoid the evils consequent upon
war. The history of our own republic,
though brief has exhibited the miseries
Of war; yet deep and sad as these mis-
cries may be, we see no reason to close
our eyes against startling facts, calmly
submit to national disgrace, and doubt
the justice of cur cause.
They who have read England's histo-
ry, must be acquainted with her spirit
of aggraneizenlent; they who have re-
fected upon the circumstances that made
us free and independent snation, must
know her hatred for us and our institu-
tons. This becomes evident to every
man who viii read English journals when
speaking of America and Americans,
and particularly upon the present diff
culties. There probably has never arisen
a difficulty between this country and
England, since the memorable year of
'76 to the present time, which had not
It's origin in her conduct towards u.s.
We will not now stop to instance the
different cases. In the present case, we
cannot for moment doubt the true pol
icy to be followed by the United States;
firm, unbending demand that the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty be carried out ac-
oording to its single declaration and just
Interpretation. The policy of the Brit
ish ministry upon this subject has been
most tortuous; but we must say, to a
very great extent, in keeping with the
policy that has marked her career for
ages back. The object of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty was to keep Central Amer
lea free from the occupation or influence
Of either this country Or England. SO
far as we are concerned, the treaty has
been strictly adhered to; not so on the
part of England, as is evident from her
conduct. She has, in the first place,
put upon that treaty an unwarrantable
Interpretation, and plainly tortured out
of its true language, one calculated to
insult the Judgment and common sense
of those engaged in forming the treaty.
a review of the official correspondence
will satisfy every man that this charge is
true She has also, in defiance of the
treaty stipulation, occupied ROatan and
some small islands near by, placed in the
Honduras Bay. In this place she has
planted colony, though both parties
bound themselves not to occupy Central
America. The prctexts which are alleged
to justify this occupation are shallow,
indeed. The British minister maintains
that Roatan is the exception made in the
treaty, Or the small islands belonging to
the Balize settlement. Now this is gla-
ringly not so; for, if we are not much
mistaken in our memory, Roatan is an
important island some four hundred miles
distant from the Balize settlement, and |
could not be mistaken for the islands de-
pendent on the Balize, and situated near
the river Siboon.
No thinking man can fail to perceive
the object which England has in view in
occupying Roatan She has ever sought
to maintain the supremacy of the sea,
and increase her commercial facilities.
For this purpose she has always been