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

revived BY Great Britain against the Cen
tEai American States, the legitimate suc-
cessors to all the ancient jurisdiction Of
Spain IN that region. They were Grst ap-
Piled toonly defined part of the coast Of
Nicaragua, afterwards to the whole Of It's
Atlantic coast. and lastly to a part of the
coast OF Costa Rica: and they are now reas-
serted to this enteni, notwithstanding an.
gagesneuts to the United States.
On the eastern coast of Nicaragua and
Costa Riea, the interference Of Great Brit
am, though exerted Ut one time in the form
Of military occupation Of the port Of san
Juan del Norte, then in the peaceful pos
session of tbe appropriate authoyit les Of the
| Cuntral American States, Is now presented
BY her as the rightfai exercise "a protec-
torshlp over the Mosquito tribe of Tndl-
ans.
But the establishment at the Balize, now
reaching far beyond its treaty ylimits into the
State Of Honduras, and that of the Bay is
lands appertainlu5 Of right to The same
State, are rs distinctly colonial governments
/ as those ofJanlaiea oF Canada, and there
/ fore contrary 10 the very letter as we'll as
the spirit Of the convention wiFh the United
/ States, as II was at the time of ratification,
abd nov Is, understood BY this govern
ment.
/ The Interpretation which the British gov
/ ernment, thus in assertion aud act, persists
IN ascribing to the convention, entirely
changes its character. While it holds US to
all cur obligations, it in great measure
releases Great Britain from these, which
4 constituted the consideration of this goyeru-
ment ter entering into the convention. Ii
! IS impossible, in my Judgment, for the Uni
ted States to acquiesee in suea construc-
tioa Of the respective relations of the two
+ governments Of Central America.
To renewed call by this government
upon Great Britain, to abide by, aud carry
into effect, the stipulation: Of the conveu-
/ ton according to its obvious import, BIZ
withlrawing from TIE possession or eol-
oni2a;ion Of portions Of the Central Aneri-
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 reqalre Great Britain TO abandono or con-
tract any possessions held by her in Central
America 1T the date of its conclusion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, in
/ tue place Vi the general one presented BIZ
the United States. The British government
passes over the question of the rights Of
Great fTisaiiTl real OF fssapfosei, III cS5Hirai
/ America, aaa assumes tina, she had slich
rights at the date Of ths treaty, aud ,hat
I those rights comprehen3ed the protector
ship Of the M)slulto Indians, the extended
Jurisdiction and limits Of the Balise, and the
colony OF the Bay islands, and thereupon
1 proceeds BY implication to infer, that, if the
StIpuiations oS the treaty be merely future
/ IN effect, Great Britain may still continue
to hold the contested portions of Central
I America. The United States cannot ad-
init either she inference or the premises. We
+ steadily deny, that, at the date OF the treaty
Great Britain had aug possessions there,
other than the limited and peculi,r establisi.-
ment at the Balizs, and nlaintain thar, If she
had any, they were surrendered ky the con
yeniioa.
This government, recognizing the obli-
cations OF the treaty, has OF course, desired
+ to see it executed III good faith by both
parties, and in tie discussion, therefore.
+ has net looked to rights, which we nichs
{ assert, Independently OF the treaty, in con-
slderatlon Of oar geogrlp phical position aud
Of other circumstances, which create for
Us relations 10 the Central American States
different from tho~e Of any gogetanen4 IN
Europe.
The British government, in its last com
munieation, although we'll kaogiag the
views OF the Uaited States, sill declares
that il sees no reason way conci!iatolv
spirit may not enable the goyernmsnts 10
overcome all obstacles to a satisfactory ad-
/ j=strent Of the sabjsct.
/ Assured Of the correctness Of the con-
siructioa Of the treaty constantly adhered
TO by this government, ald resolved to III
+ sist on the rights of The United States, vet
i actuatea also by the sans disire, which is
/ avowed by the British government, to re-
! move oil causes of serious misunderstaai-
ing between two nations, associated BY so
many ties Of interest and kindred, il has ap-
/ Peared to me proper nor to consider an au.j-
cable solution Of tae controversy hope
I less.
! Taere -, however, reason to apprehenj,
that with Great Bcita:n In the actual oeeu-
\ patton of the disputed territories, aud the
treaty therefore practically null. 50 far as
/ regards our rights, this international diff
Guilty cannot long remain undetermined,
without Involving in serious danger the
friendly relations, which il is the interest
as well as the duty Of both countries to
cherish and preserve. Tt viii afford IN,
sincere qualification, if fut1re Efforts shall
result in the sueeess, anticipated heretofore
with more confidence than the aspect Of the
case permits Ine now 10 entertain,
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the. United States and Great Britain has
grown out Of The attempt, which the exi-
geneies oil the war in which she is engaged
with Russia induced her to make, to draw
recruits from the United States.
IsFs TIE traditional and settled policy of
the United States to m1iiiain impartial
neutrality during tia wars which fro.n tiine
! 70 tine occur among the great powers of
the world. Performing all the duties Of
,ai,Er ,lttv to,r,t2s tha rsSnectira haliipe-