The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-03

am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant
w. L. MARCY,
JAMES BUCHANAN, Esq, &c, &C, &c.
..... Mr., Marcy 70 A. B,sehdnah
mo- H. DEPARTMENT STATE,
r.M Washington, September IL, 1883.
SIN: Your two dispatches, No. July 27tb) and No.
4, august "a have been received. herewith transmit
you The Presidents full power conclude treaty with
Great Britain in regard TO the Central American questions
copy OF the despatch Of her Maesty principal Secretary
Of State for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Champion, containing
the overures" &c dated the 18th of January 1853 was
forwarded to youom this department the 3oth OF July
last do not find any other document on hle IN the Stale
Department containing overtures &c, the Central
American quesnons but IL probable that in tho confer
ences between my predecessors and the British minister In
relation TO the Mosquito potectorao and the affairs OF San
Juan, Geytown overtures may have been suggested by
him. .......
The general views of the President in regard Central
American affairs presented in the first Instructions
with which you furnished. The President did not
deem 1t necessary to be explicit rs to the points OF
difference which might arise until he was fully possessed
of the views of her Maestys government The main OBJ
ect to be accomplished is induce the British govern
ment to withdraw from all interference in the political at
fairs of Central American States and the adjacent islands
1t is quite evident judging by communications received
from her Majestys government particularly in regard to
the difficulties of San Juan dc Nicaragua that difference
of opinion between it and the United States exists as TO
the construction and effect of the Clay ton and Bulwer
treaty but how wide that difference is, and what par
cuar points raised have yet been very clearly dis
closed This difference will be- the President preSumes
under the consideration of the British government
Your intimate knowledge of the subject in all its bear
ngs and OF the general views of the President which are
bodied in your Instructions will enable to cover the
whole American ground in opening the negotiation. How
much will be conceded and how much contested by Great
Britain remains to be Until points Of difference are
discussed and the views opposed to those here entertained
fully considered the President does not deem it adVisa
BILE to fix ahinata These, if desired in more ad
yanced state Of the negotiation, will be furnished
In relation to the Belize believe your instructions
sufficiently explicit To the territorial extent and for the
limited uses described in her treaty of 1886 with SPAIN
Great Britain has right to continue in possession OF that
country. Though the United States cannot claim,
matter of right that she shall altogether withdraw from
Belize it is very important object to prevail on her to
give up that territory regarded as of little value
This government is not that Great Britain claims TO
have full sovereignty it but If she does the United
States would contest that claim and regard the assertion
OF it as an infringement of the Monroe docrnea doc
trne which the policy Of the President to maintain
believe Great Britain has defined the character OF
her claim to what called he colony Of the Bay
of sands 1t does not appear to be of her organized
colonies. She has not, in explicit language claimed
eregnty over it, though her acts have indicated such
purpose Whatever have been her rights preten-
sion to rights over this colony they all given up,
cordng to the view here taken of the subject by the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty.
The President cannot conceive that Great Britain
have any plausible grounds for excepting this possession
from the operation Of that treaty. and he ID quite she
can aege TO which he could concede yet he thinks
IT the wiser to give her opportunity TO explain
her views thereon before presenting solemn and formal
protest against her further occupancy of that colony The
President expects that you will treat this subject 10 such
to leave doubt the minds of her Majesty
ministers that the abandonment Of that colony will be in
sisted on by the United States
presumed that the only part of that colony to which
England will be disposed attach much value have
any nducement to retain is the island of Ruatan. From
intmaon made to me- it may be that she will take the
position that this island does belong orhe Central
American States but is be regarded in the cond
ton of the West India islands By reference the
treaties between Great Britain and Spain you will find this
island clearly recognised Spanish possession and
part Of the old vice-royalty of Guatemala.
Should attempt be made TO distinguish between this
island and the States of Central America upon the
ground above suggested it is probable that full in
formation than have in regard to that subec may
be obtained from through Mr. Molina the diplomatic
representative this government from Costa Rea and
Guatemala On receiving an iutimaton from you that
further information thereon be necessary every effort
viii be here made to procure and forward 1t to you
copy Of the convention Of the 9Th of February last
! will be forwarded TO you.
With this will be sent copy of the Congressional Globe
1t be procured containing the debates Of the last
sion Of Congress and the called session Of the Senate
! am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant
w. L. MARCY.
! JAMES BUCHANAN, Esq, &c, &c, &C.