The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-11


lations OF the two government TO Centrs
America. ..-
. To renewed call by this government up
; ON Great Britain, to abide by, and carry int
> effect, the sipulations Of the convention nc
cording 10 It's obvi"us import, by Withdraw
ing from tho possession or cnlonizatiol
of portions of the Central American State
oi Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. tn
, British government has at length replied, ai
! firming that the operation of the treaty i
prospective only, did not require Gerat Brit
ain To abandon or contract any possession
held by her in Central America at the date o
its conciusion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, il
place of the general one presented by th,
United States. The British governmen
passes over the rights of Great Britain, rea
or supposed in Central America, and assume.
that she had such rights at the date of The
treaty, and that those rights comprchendec
the protectorship of the Mosquito Indians
the extended jurisdiction and limits of tn,
l'alze, and the colony nf the Bay Islands, and
thereupon proceeds by implication to infer
that il the stipulations of the treaty BE- nler I,
" future in effect, Great Britain nav still con
tinue TO hold the contested portions of Cen
tral America. The United States cannot nd
init either tlh inference or the premises. We
sieadily deny that ut the date of the treaty
Great Britain had any possession there other
Than the limited and peculiar establishment
at The Balize, and maintain that ii she had
any, they were surrendered by the conven.
tiun. l'g"
The government recognizing the obiiga-
tInus nf tho trpnfv bas nf d.,sirnh n,
see it executed in good faith by both parties,
and in the discussion therefore, has not look
ed TO rights, which we might assert indie
pendently OF the 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 other government Of Eu-
| rope. . ..
The British government in its last commu-
nication, although well knowing the views
OF the United States, still declares il sees no
reason why c"nciliatory spirit may NOT
ennble the two governments To overcome all
obstacles to a satisfactory adjustment Of the
subject. lf- - 'o' ''',''". ".t
Assured of the correctness of the con.
construction of the treaty constantly adhered
TO by this government, aud resolved to insist
on the rights of the United States, vet ariu.
aied also by the same desire, which is avowcd
by the British government, to remove all
ciuses of serious misunderstanding between
two nations associated by so many ties of
interest and kindred, it has appeared to me
proper not to consider an amicable solution
of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however reason to apprchend that
with Great Britain in the actual occupation of
the disputed territories, aud the treaty there
fore practically null and, 81 far us regards
our rights, this International difficulty cannot
long remain undeterm ned, without involving
in serious danger the friendly relations,
which it is the interest rs well as the duty
of both countries to cherish and prescrve-
1t will afford Inc sincere qualification, il fu-
ture efforts shall result in the success, antci
pated heretofore with more confidence than
the aspect Of the case permit me now to en-
tertain. . 3D.. ........- f..
One other subject of discussion between
the United STATES and Great Britain has
grown ont of the attempt, which the exigen.
cles of the war in which she is engaged with
Russia, induced her to make, to draw re.
cruits from the United States.
II is traditional and settled policy of the
United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars, which from time to time or-
cnrred among the great powers of the oiId.
Performing all the duties Of neutrality to.
wards the respective belligerent States, we
may reasonably expect thrm not to interfere
with our lawful enjoyments Of its benefits
thstandng the existence of such hos
tities, our citizens retain the individual right
to continue all their accustomed pursuits, by
land or by sea, at home or abroad, subject
only to such restrictions in this relation, as
the laws of war, the usage of nations, or spe
cal treaties, may impose and il is our sove-
rrign right that our territory and Jurisdiction
shall not be invaded by either of The bellig
erent parties, for the transit of their armies,
the operations of their fleets, the levy Of
troops for their service, the fitting out of
cruisers by or against either, or any other acl
Of neutrality, individual and national, the
United States under no circumstances can
surrender. lh.i .iHi '' r''''' ''e .''
In. pursuance of this policy. the laws of
the United States do not forbid their citizens
To sell I" either of the belligerent powers ar
ticles, contraband of war, or to take muni- |
tiohs of war or soldiers on board their pri
vate ships for transportation: and although |
his property or person to some Of the hazards
of war, his acts do not involve any breach of
national neutrality, nor Of themselves impli
cate the government. Thus during the pro.
gress of the present war IN Europe, our cIi.
zens have, without national responsibility
therefor, sold gunpowder and arms to all
buyers, regardless OF the destination of those
articles. Our merchantmen have been and
still continue TO be-, largely employed by
Great Britain and by France, in transporting
troops, provisions and munitions of war t.
the principal seat OF military operations and
in bringing home their sick aud wounded
soldiers; but such use of our mercantile ma
rne is not interdicted by the International or
by our municipal law. and therefore does not
compromit our neutral relations with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with
the law OF nations, peremptorily fnrbids, not
OILY foreigners, but our citizens, to fit out,
within the limits of the United States, a ves-
sci to commit hostiities against any State
with which the United States are at peace, or
to increase the force of any foreign armed
vessel intended for such hostiiies against
friendly State. F-.....
Whatever concern may have been felt 10y
either of the beligerent powers lest private
armed cruisers, or other vessels, in the ser.
vice of one, might be fitted out in the ports
og this country to depredate on the property
Of the other, all such fears have proved to be
utterly groundlpss. Our citizens have been
withheld from any such act or purpose by
good faith, and by respect for the law.
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