Washington telegraph., 1856-01-23


am. though exerted at one time in the form
OF military occupation of the port of Sar
Juan del Norte. then in the peaceful posses
SION OF the appropriate authorities of the
central American States. is now presented
ny her as the rightful exercise of protec
tOrship over the Mosquito tribe of Indians
But the establishment at the Balize. now
reaching far beyond its treaty limits int
the State of Honduras, and that of the Bay
Islands, appertaining of right to the sa ms
State, are - distinctly colonial government:
as those of Jamaica or Canada, and there
fore contrary to the very letter as well a.
the spirit of the convention with the United
States, as it was at the time of ratification
and now is, understood by this Govern
ment. --.-
The Interpretation which the British gov.
eminent thus in assertion and act. persist
In ascriblng to the convention, entirely
( changes its character. While it holds us to
all obligations. it in a great MEASURE reIeas-
| es Great Britain from those which constitu-
ted the consideration of this government for
entering into convention. 1t is impossible,
IN my Judgment for the United States to ac-
qulesce IN such construction of the respec-
tive relations cf the two governments to
Central America.
To a renewed call BY this government up
.
effect the stipulations of the convention ac-
cording to its obvious import, by withdraw
ing from the possession or colonization of
portions of the Central American States of
Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, the
British government has at length replied
Affirming that the operation of the treaty is
prospective only. and did not require Great
Britain to abandon contract any possess
sIOns held by her at the date of its conclu-
sion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, in
the place ct the general one presented by
the United States The British government
passes over the question of the rights of
Great Britain, real or supposed, in Central
America, and assumes that she had such
rights at the date of the treaty, and that
those rights mPrel.ended the protectorship
of the Mosquito Indians, the extended iuris-
dictiOn and limits of the Balize, and the
colOny of the Bay Islands, and thereupon
proceeds, by Implication, to infer. that, If
tine stlpulatlons OF the treaty be merely fu-
ture in the effect, Great Britain may still
continue to hold the cont tested portions of
Central America. The United States can
not admit either the inference or the prem
ises- We steadily deny that at the date of
the treaty Great Britain had any possession
there, other than the limited and peculiar
establishment at the Balize. and maintain
that, IT she had any. they were surrendered
by the convention
This government. recognizing the o5liga-
tions of this treaty, has of course sired to
see it executed in good faith by both parties,
and in the discussion. therefore. has not
looked to rights. which we might assert.
Independently of the treaty, in consideration
of our geographical position and of other
circumstances. which create for us relations
to the Central American States. different
from those OF any government OF Europe
Tae British government, In Its last COM
munica ton. although we'll knowing tn,
. views of the United States, still declares
that it sees no reason Why d conciliatory
spirit NAV not enable the two governments
10 overcome al, obstacles to satisfactory
adjustment Of the subject.
Assured of the correctness of the construc-
ton of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government. and resolved to insist on
/ the rights Of the United States. yet actuated
hv the same desire which is avowed by the
British government. 10 remove all causes of
serious misunderstanding between two ma
tlons associated by 50 many ties of interest
and kindred, It mas appeared to me proper
not 10 consider an amicable solution of the
controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend
that. with Great Britain in the actual occu-
patton of the disputed territories, and the
treaty therefore practically null. SD far as
regards our rights, this international diff
Guilty cannot long remain undetermined
without InFOtvIng in serious danger the
friendiy relations which it is the interest
as well as the duty of both countries tc
cherish and preserve 1t will afford me
sincere gratifcstion. if future efforts should
result in the success. anticipated heretofore
, witt. more confidence than the aspect of the
case permits me now to entertain.
7 RECRUITMENT.
( One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain ha
grown out of the attempt, which the exigen
cIes of the war in which she is engaged witt
Russia induced her to make. to draw re
cruits from the United States
II is the traditional and settled policy o
the United States to maintain imparti;,
neu utrality during the wars, which from
time to time occur among the great powers
of the world. Performing all the duties o
neutrality towards the respective bellInger
ent States, we may reasonably expect then
not to interfere with our lawful enjoyInen
of its benefits. Notwithstanding the exis
tence of such hOstilities, our citizens retail
the individual right to continue all thei
accustohieo pursuits, py Iand or oy sesf' d
home or abroad- ubject only to such restric
tIons in this relation the laws of war
the usage Of nations, or special treaties, lna
impose aud il is cur sovereign right tia
oUr territory and jurisdiction shall not b
: invaded by either of the bellingerent partie
for she transit of their armies, the opera
tions of their fleets. the levy of troops fo
their service, the fitting ont of cruisers b
or y4inst either, er any other act OF INC
dent war. And these undeniahle rights Q
oeutr.lifv Individual and national. ii
. United States Will under no circum stance
surrender
In pursuance of this policy. the laws {
! the United States do nos forbid their citizen
to sell to either of the bellingerent power
articles, contraband of war, OF to take mt