Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-03-05
The Proposltion to Albitrate.

fer 10 the arbitration of some friendly Power the
questions in dispute, concerning the construction
of the CLAYTON Bulwer treaty. The Presiden-
furnishes copies Of correspondence. the first bet
ing a letter from Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Marcy da-
ted Nov. 81 1854 of which the following is an ex-
| tract.
In the course of the conversation he Unlimited
| that il might be desirable to have the opinion Of
a third Power on the true construction Of the con
vepton To this plnyfully observed TINT it
would now be difficult 10 find an impartial umpire,
rs they Ind gone 10 wer with our arbitrator, the
Emperor Of Russia. This was however, but a
mere intmaton on his part.
The second is letter from the same 10 tho
same, dated Nov l555-in which the following
passage occurs;
In the course of the conversation obseryedt 10
him that the most serious difficulty between the
Governments might nii.c out Of the Central Amer
ican questions. He said that when two Govern
inent- disagreed about the construction Of II trea-
~ the best mud most natural mode was to refer
The question to n third Power. AT an carly peri
I'd OF the negotiation he had made this suggestion,
but | Ind iocularly replied that the Emperor Of
Russia wes the only Power sufficiently Edepen-
dent to aci as an impartial umpire in the and
they had gone to war with him.
third letter is given of the 9th Nov. 1855, de-
scrbing another interview, and saying:
He then said about these Central American
questions the best mode of settling them is by
arbitration replied thore was nothing To arbi-
lratc. He suid the true construction of the trea
" was proper subject for arbitration. | told
him did not consider ii question for cons:ruc-
ton at all. The language plain and explicit,
and | thought this would be the almost unanimous
opinion OF the American people; but in writing
to you, should mention what he had now said,
~ ! had done what he had said Mt our former in
tervew.
Lord Clarendon having stated in the House Of
Lords that proposition had been made to this
country 10 nrbitrate. Mr.. Buchanan addressed
a letter 10 Mr.. Marcy under date 9th of February
1856, in which he says
It is, therefore, proper for me 10 state, as n
matter Of fact, that have reported to you. in
the most faithful manner every conversation
which has passed between Lord Clarendon and
myself ON the subject 81 II reference of these
questions To n friendly Power. A. have nev-
or learned that the British Government has made
any such offer TO the government of the United
States through Mr.. Champion. infer that his
lprdship must have referred to the general con
versaions between him and myself, which would
by no means justify the broad terms of his state
mont. Thus much merely to vindicate the truth
Of history
This is followed by another letter of the Slh
of February in which Mr.. Buchanan gives the
particulars of an interview he had held with Lord
Clarendon in regard to his statement in the House
Of Lords, as follows
On "Wednesday last, the Oh instant Ind an
interview with Lord Clarendon at the Foreign
Office. | told him desired to ascertain whelh-
or the statement he had made in the House Of
I a. uvnuina, al Ebur.ln, ho 4 j.t ,,t
that the British government had mnde 10 the
American Government an offer, tn arbitrate the
Central American questions, was founded on
what Ind passed between him and myself III con-
vcrsation or whether he had Instructed Mr.. Cram
ton TO make to you in writing. formal propos-
al for arbitration. He replied that his state
ment was founded on our different conversations;
aud that in these be had several times proposed
to me reference of these questions t. arhtra-
ton; and he expressed the hope that had com
muncated his propositions to my government
! informed him that had faithfully reported e
you all the conversations We had held in reierenc,
| to an arbitration; but had not believed that
| what he had said on these occasions amounted
| to such an offer could be recognised by ou
! Government as Il foundation for specific actor
! on So grave IL matter. ! added that did no
| doubt you were of the same opinion,as had new
| err received line from you the subject. liz
| observed that before holding these conversation
| with me he had consulted the Cabinet, aud spok
their sentiments as well as his own. | remarke
| that this fact had now. for the first time, bee
communicated to me. If he had informed me -
it at the time this would have given hi
CO lversation "a more serious character and woult
have caused il tomake deeper impression on m
mind. He said he had thought that, as matte
of course would consider what he had said t
me had been said after consultation with III
, Cabinet. In reply, observed that had though
when one nation desired to propose To anothe
the submission of an international di- pnte Ia al
btraion this would he done by writing, and
due form. Such had been their own course whe
they proposed to arhirate the Orgon question
Besesdes, the President might, if he though
proper, consult the Senate ON the question, an
what would be thought By that body if such
proposition were presented TO them in the loos
form of various eonvers aiions between him an
myself. which after ALL light through mistake ,
inadyertepce. not have reported correctly II
, said what he had done he considered the preliu
mary step; and II our Government had Indicate
any satisfaction with il. they would have bee
| prepared to proceed further; but from what | hu
said to him. he did not think they had receive
much encouragement. | told him that whenev,
! had spoken to him upon the subject, | had n
ways been careful t. assure him that was o,
l | pressing my own individual sentiments withot
any instructions or information from my GoveEr
Hehti anu 'hd' THESE lflhtih'u unchanged.
: also observed mat his last letter to me, fnall
= denying our construct ton of the treaty aud form
ing an issue between the Two Governments Inirl
D appropriately have contained proposition for arb
y tration; x in this manner the question might hav
Q been brought in regular form before our Govern
: ment. lie then,for the first time Informed me tina
he had addresseda depsatcb to Mr.. Champion o
the subject with instructions to him to read it
you. He then sent for it and read it To me-
$ believe tits dated in November, but, copy b,
l. ing doubtless IN your possession. it will spea
: for ITSELF and he Informed mo that all Won ha
:, said about it to Mr. Champion was that The ma,