The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-01-03

10 tuo itSuiut oxelcSsS yI Pfotectofsutp
over the Mosquito tribe dfIndisne.
But the establishment d The Balize, now
reaching far beyond its 'rrssly Slimits into
the State Of Hon nduras, and that of the Bay
Islands, aprertaining Of right to the same
Slaie, are as distinctly colonial governments
-asshossyof Jamaica or Canada, and ftIere-
lore contrary to the very letter as well as
the spirit Of the convention with the United
States, asit was a, the time Of ratification,
and now is, understood by thrs govern
ment.
The Interpretation which the British gov
eminent, thus in assertion and act, presiss
in ascribing to the convention, entirely
changes lis character. While il holds US 10
all our obligations, ir great measure re.
leases Great Britain from those which con.
stiluled the consideration Of this government
for entering into the convention II is i'm.
possible. in my Judgment for the United
States to acquiesce in such construction Of
the resp ecliye relations ofthe two govern.
ments Of Central America. !.
To renewed call by this government up
on Great Hrlain, to abide BY, and carry into
effect, the s,ipulaticns of the convention &C.
cording 10 iis obvious import, by Withdraw
ing from the possession or colonization Of
portions Of the Central American States of
Honduras, Nicaragua aud Costa Rica, the
bfDIisn uuvefnnsat hzH al ieteeth -aplied, al
firmiug that the operation OF the treaty is
prospective only, and did not require Great
| Britain 10 abandon or contract any possess
sions held by her in central America at the
date of its conclusion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, in
the place OF the general one presented by
the United States. The British Cove rnment
passes over the question of the rights Of
Great Britain, real or supposed, in Central
America, and assumes that she had such
rights al the date Of the treaty, and that those
righis comprehend the pro,ec.orship Of the
Mosquito Indians; The extended jurisdiction
and limits Of the Balize, and the colony Of
The Bay Islands, and thereupon proceeds by
implication 10 infer, that, if The stipulations
Of the treaty be merely future in effect,
Great Britain may still continue to hold the
contested portions of Central America. The
United States cannot admit either the infer.
ence or The premises. We steadily deny,
that, at the date of the treaty, Great Brtsln
had any possessions there, other than the lin
tied and peculiar establishment OF the Ba.
lize, and maintain that, if she had any, ,hey
were surrendered by the convention.
This government recognizing the obliga-
lions of the treaty, has of course desired to
see it executed in good faith by both parties
and in The discussion, therefore, has not look
ed to rights, which we might assert, indepen.
IDENTITY Of the treaty, in consideration of our
geographical position and Of other circum
stances, which create for us relations to the
Central American States, diferen from those
Of any government in Europe.
the British government, in its last com.
municalon, although well knowing the views
of the United States, still declares that it
sees no reason why q conciatory spiiii may
not enable the two governments TO overcome
all obstacles TO satisfactory adjustment of
|
the subject.
Assured of the correctness OF the cousiruc.
tion of the treaty constantly adhered TO by
this government, and resolved TO insist on
the rights of the United States, yet actualed
also by The same desire, which is avowed
by the British government, TO remove all
causes Of serious misunderstanding between
two nations associated by so many ties Of
interest and kindred, il has appeared to me
proper not to consider an amicabe solution
OF the controversy hopeless.
There is, However, reason to appiehend,
that, with Great Britain in the actual occupa.
tion Of the disputed territories and tho treaty
therefore practically null, 30 far as regards
our rights, this International difficulty cannot
long remain undermined, without involving
in serious danger the friendly relations, which
i. is the interest as we'll ss the duty of bolh
countries to cherish and preserve. 1t will af.
ford me sincere qualification, il. future efforts
shall result in the success, anticipated here
tofore with more confidence than the aspect
of the case permits me now TO entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain has grown
out of the attempt, which the exlgencies of
the war in which she is engaged with Rus
sia induced her TO make, 10 draw recruits
! from the United States.
1t is the traditional and settled policy of
the United States TO maintain impartial neu-
trality during the wars which, from time to
time, occur among the great powers of the
world. Performing all the duties Of neutral.
ity towards the respective belligereni States,
we may reasonably expect them not to in
terfere with our lawful enjoyment of its ben
efits. Notwithstanding the existence of such
hostli!ies, our ci.zens retain the Individual
rightto continue all their accustomed pursuits,
by land or by sea, at home or abroad, subject
only 10 such restrictions in this relation, as
the laws of war, the usage of nations, or
special treaties may impose; and il is our
sovereign right that our territory and iurs.
dic!ion shall not be invaded BY either OF the
eelligerent parties, for-the transit of their ar.
mics, The operations of their fleets, the levy
OF troops for their service, the titlrs out of
, Cruisers by or against either, or any cot or
srosJon, &c .~ax II ,hor. -. L.. Z. / l. l..