Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-11
Central America.

The debate in the Senate on Central America,
which followed the reading of the Presidents Mes
sage is one of great and serious importance. The
views OF the course of Great Britain in Central
America, and of the consequences to which, if per-
sisted in, it must lead, which deliberately
enuncated by the leading statesmen of both parties
in the Senate, well calculated to make deep
impression on the public mind, both in this country
and In England 1t is not the noisy and harmless
gasconade of Bunconlbe orators in the House of
Representatives, but the grave opinions of the wsest
and most venerable members of the American SEN
ate, uttered with dignity and calmness becoming
the occasion.
Mr.. Clayton, of Delaware, made one of the most
Interesting speeches which delivered on this i'm
portant occasion Mr. Clayton was Secretary of
State during the negotiation of the treaty in regard
to Central America. The British government now
assumes the ground that the stipulation of that
treaty not to COLOMBO or to occupy Central America
was prospective on y, and not present and actual In
the course of the late debate member of the Sem
ate asked MIR. Clayton what was the view which was
taken of that article of the treaty by the Executive
OF the United States in making it, Mr. Clayton in
reply stated, that the construction put upon this
treaty by the British Cabinet was an entirely new
view of the subject and something Of which he had
never heard before. He asked with great force
what motive American statesman could have had
in forming treaty by which Great Britain to be
allowed TO remain IN possession of the whole of the
Isthmus, and his own countrymen prohibited from
ed ! There mstaking the view which was
m the contemplation of the negotiators 1t would be
dlfncult to make language more explicit Both par
ties agreed in many words, that neither of them
would occupy. colonize. fotify, iassume exercise
dominion over any part OF Central America. Yet,
after two years of labOrious negotiations with Great
Britain, that government still persists in the position
that this stipulation merely prospective in its
operation in the face of the Interpretation given by
lis own ministers of foreign affairs, since the ex-
Of fbo 1&h &c IrI,-
She continues, in violation of her solemn engage
ment, to occupy and fortiy various portions of Gen.
tral America and 1t is this, which in the opinion of
the President and of the Senate, may lead 10 a rup-
TUE Of our relations with Great Britain
/ he whole secret of the couse of Great Britain in
Central America may be understood from the curious
coincidence mentioned by Mr.. Clayton that the very
moment she discovered that we were about perma.
nenty TO annex to the United States, California and
New Mexico, she sent armed expedition from
Jamaica, with two ships of war, entered the river
San Juan de NIcara qua, took the town of that an
cent name, called it Greytown, stormed the fort OF
Serrapaqui, ami proclaimed her terms 10 PEG
pie who had galantly, bnt unsuccessfully fought il
defence of their territory 1t is impossible
justly remarks Mr.. Clayton, for any man who de
slres to seek tor truth in Investigating this subject
overlook the fact that Great Britain placed herse
across all the passages to California, in Contra
America just at the moment when she the Uni
ted States were about 10 acquire California and New
Mexico.
The purpose of the movement is as obvious as tbt
fact itself. This is practical question and one O
great moment. The United States connot permit il,
road TO California to be fenced up She must inss
upon the maintenance of the treaty by Great Britain
in good faith We trust that the sagacity and love
justice and fair play, characteristic of the English
people, will interpose, and, by compelling their gov
eminent 10 adhere to it's treaty obligations, preserve
unsulled the honor of England, and avert from bott
nations the horrible calamity of war.
Richmond DisDatCh.