Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-04

by no means justify the broad terms of his state
ment Thus much merely to vindicate truth and his.
tory.
Dir. BUCHANAN TO MR.. MARCY.
EItract.l
LOCATION oF THE UNITED STATES,
London, Feb g. 1856.
SIR On Wednesday lust, the 9TH instant had al
interview with Lord Clarendon at the Foreign Office
told h:m | desired to ascertain whether the
statement he made In the House Of Lords Oh
the evening of Thursday, the 3lst ultimn that the
British government hal made to the American gov.
ernlnent AL Offer which hns been recently renewed,
to arbrate the Central American questions, was
founded Oh what had passed between him aud my.
self in conversation, or whether he had instructed
Mr. Champion to make to You in writing formal
proposal of arbitration.
lie replied lis statement was founded on our differ
ent versations; aud that in these he had several
times proposed to the reference OF these questions
10 arbitration and he expressed the hope that had
communicated his propositions to my government.
informed him that had faithfully reported to you all
the conversations had held 10 recronce to M ar.
bitraton, but ] had not believed that what he bad
said ou these occasions amounted 70 such an offer as
could bs recngnzcdty our government rs foundation
for specific action on 50 grave matter. did not
doubt you were of the same opinion. as had never
received q line from you on the suhject.
He observed, before holding these conversations
with me, that he had consulted tho Cabinet, aud spoke
their sentiments we'll Us. his own remarked this
fact had now for the first time, been communicated
to 1fhe had informed me OF il at the time, this
would have given his conversation more serious
character and caused it 10 make deeper impression
on my mind. He said he had thought, as matter uf
course, that would consider what he had said TO me
had been said aitor consultation with his Cabinet.
In reply, l observed that had thought when one
nation desired to propose TO another the Submission o'
HI international dispute by arbitration, this was done
by writing and in due form. Such had been their
course when they proposed tn arbitrae On the
Oregon question Besides the President might, II
Inc thought proper consult the Senate the question:
and what would be thought by that body il such
proposition presented them in loose form OF
various conversations between him and myself,
which, after all, might through mistake or in inad-
vertence not have reported correctly.
He said what he had done hs considered pre-.
lhnlnary step; and if our Government had indicated
any satisfaction with it, they would have been pre-.
pared to proceed further. But, from what had ssd
to him, he did not thuk they had received much ELL
couragcment.
told him that whenever bad spoken to him up
on the subject had always been careful TO assure
him was expressing my own individual sentiments.
without any Instructions or information from my gov
ernment, and tLese remained unchanged. Also Oh
served that his last letter to Inc, hnnly denying our
constructions of the treaty and forming issue be-
tween the two governments might appropriately have
contained proposition for arbitration; and i'll this
manner the question might have been brought in
regular form before our government He then tar
the lirst time informed me that be had addressed
struciions to him to read to you. He then sent for
il and read it to me. believe il is dated in NOvem-
ber but copy being doubtless in your possession, It
will speak for Itself; and be informed me that all you
had sad about it ~ Mr. Crampton, was that the mat
ter was in Dir. Buchanan's hands.
lie then proceeded to express his decided opinion
in favor arbitration and said that when two friend
ly governments disagreed upon the construction OF
a treaty the natural and appropriate course was TO
refer the question TO the third friendly power lie had
| 81 tn h4
correct He then requested me TO communicate 10
you their proposals for arbitration; and how anS-
ious they were that the question might be settled in
with his request, but repeated that my own individual
| this manner. told him should checrlully comply
opinions remain unchanged. l considered the lar.
gunge Of the treaty too clear for serious doubt, and
| such believed the opinion Of public men 0t all
parties in the United States. This had been evinced
By the recent debate in the Senate on the President
message. Besides the difficulty of selecting suita.
be sovereign as all arbitrator seemed insurmountabe
But suid this WINS d question for my government
aud not for myself. Yours, very respectfully,
| JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. William L. Marcy, Secretary of State.
Mr.. Champion to Mr.. Iarcy, under date of Februa.
ry 9th says: Observing that some misapprehensloi'
seem exist az to the offer made by Lord Clarendon to
Mr. Buchanan TO submit tho points regarding the inter
probation Of the Clayton Buwer treaty, upon whcl
the two gcvernlents disagree to arbiiratiohf think
it We'll TO send you the enclosed despatch which re-
ceved from Lord Claredon on the subject In Deceu
Der last. regret not having inade you this conmu
nioaon before, but the truth is the last paragraph OF
the despatch escaped my attention until referred to
il lately and as was aware that the negotiation I"
the question regarding Central America was in Mr..
Buchaunn's and Lord Clarendon hands, considered
| the despatch meant for my own information as 10
what was going forward upon subject in regard TO
which inferred you We're already informed.
| Lord Clarendon in his despatch TO Mr.. Champion
says, under date of November l0;h: "Mr. Buchan-
all having in the course OF conversation few days
| ago, adverted TO the impression thnt difficulty
would be created in the United Srates by the nom
settlement of the Central American Question, again
assured him that England had no wish to extend her
influence or obtain any territory, In that part ot the
world, and reminded him that as the difference be-
tween this country and the United States turned
solely upon the Interpretation OF the treaty OF 1851,
had offered on the part of her Majestys government
to submit the case to the arbitration of third power
but that he had declined the offer. Her maIestys
government, said, would still, abide by that offer
and thought it would be the farest and most amlcn
BILE manner for arriving at settlement of the ques-
ton. Mr. Buchanan said ho would make it known
tu his Government, and you are instructed to conf
municate this despatch to Mr.. Marcy"
| Mr.. Seward said this correspondence placed the
subject of the Central American question in light
somewhat different from that which IL occupied when
the debate commenced. AS the case stood When sub
uiit.ed by the President the communications between
| the two governments consisted OF arguments able
and deliberate, both sides maintaining their respec-
| tive positions regarding the construction OF the
treaty, the United States demanding a iuhiment
of IT, and great Britain quite Ms positively, he might
say soInewh hat Extensively. refusing compliance. In.
der these circumstances he thought il his duty to ex
press his opinion, and decided concurrence IL the po
.ition this government had assumed.
Itnow appears that Grrat Britain ia willing to ar.
bitralc. He congratulated the Senate on the more
pacific aud peaslng prospect concerning this chang
ing but still more important question.
AS 10 the enlistment 1.-The correspondence shows
a., VIII
and perhaps conscsnliously say, they had rendered
hat regarded by them In the nature OF un apology
which they may have considered broad, and ns full
as WAS consistent with the honor OF that government
10 make.
The President and Secretary of State may have
thought the acknowledgment not sufficiently explicit,
bu, it is equally certain that Lord Clarendon thought
be he'd probably made all the apology which could be
made by power Jealous ct her dignity and honor.
The point Of difference il the effect uf the language
used-t is enough TO form the subject OF discussion
between the parties and in fuct counsnls against the
assumption which would be violent one, :ha; Br
tain has not made an explanation which ought TO DC
satisfactory.
Mr. Pearce said he did not concur with the Sena
tor. and WAS not willing that hr. Stewards opinion
should go to the country as the deliberate views ot
the Senate. Such an apology As We should claim
from Great Britain had not been made. Disclosures
in this correspond sncs OuT part EXHIBIT Hhniihers,
spirit and frapkness Of which all should be proud.
He sorry such spirit characterized Ireat bri-
tain Not only has no satisfactory apology been made,
but the language used by the British Secretary
amounts to taunts, end IL therefore Offensive
Lord Clarendon says the United States have resort
ed to means to obtain evidence against her Majestys
servants or their agents, toy practices sometimes re-
sorted 20 under despoc institutions, but winch are
dsdaincd by all free and enlightened governments.
Mr. Psarce said he was not the advocate Of war,
and hoped wc should maintain peace, but he should
never acknowledge that correspondence furnishing
any satisfactory apology for what done by Great
Britain. Tho power that invoked US to be neutral
was the first to violate neutrality.
Mr.. Stuart remarked thnr, notwithstanding Lord
Carendon's speech in the House Of Lords, II turns
ont by the corre.p 'nd-rce submitted to-day that no
proposition for arbitration hus ever been submitted to