Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-07-25

observation that direct communication upon the mair
suoJec had for some time ceased between Mr.. Buch
an and myself that such correspondence had ceased
because ii appeared TO her Majestys government tina
turther correspondence was not likely to lead to a
settlement of the question at issue, That question
TUNED upon the Interpretation of the treaty of 1850
respecting which her Majesty's government learned
for the first time from MIR Buchanan that view
had been taken by the present government of the
United States different from that of the preceding
government.
The treaty arose out of the various projects which
had been started for commercial communications
across Central America between the Atlantic and the
Pacific and especially had reference to the scheme
OF ship canal by the river st. John, and the Lake
Nicaragua The main object of the treaty was to
provide security that such lines of commercial
communication, through whatever part of Central
America they might pass, should be free for the use
of all nations, and should not al under the excIu-
sive control of any power.
These objects and purposes are clearly explained
and stated in the first article, which is as follows -
The governments of Great Britain and the United
States hereby declare that neither the one nor the
other will ever obtain maintain for itself anv ex-
elusive control the said ship canal agreeing
that neither will maintain any fortfca-
,lons commanding the same or in the vicinity thereof
occupy, or fOrfy c0lonise or assume or exer-
else any dominion over Nicaragua Costa Rica, the
Mosquito coast, or any part of Central America nor
will either make of any protection which either
has or may have, 10 or with any Stale or people, for
the purpose of erecting maintaining any such for
tlEcations, or OF occupying, terrifying, colonsing
Nicaragua, Costa Rica the Mosquito coast, or anv
part of Central America, or of assuming or exercsing
dominion the
Nor will Great Britain or the United States take
advantage OF any intimacy, any alliance, con-
necion influence that either may possess with any
State government through whose territory the said
canal may pass, for the purpose of acquiring or hold
Inn Or tOr fho SuhSo IL
Zens of the one any rights advantages in regard
commerce navigation through the said canal,
which shall not be offered the same terms, to the
subjects citizens of the other"
Her Majesty's government deemed that the plain
and unquestionsble Interpretation of this article was
that each government was prohibited from doing
what the words of the article explicitly declared tina
neither government should thereafter do but that
both governments retained the rights WI ich they
had previously enjoyed where those rights were not
expressly limited or abandoned.
With regard especially TO the protection which, for
long of time the British government has af-
rded to the Mosquito Indians, this article, so far
from requiring that protection to cease, acknowledges
its existence and contemplaes its continuance for
the article says that neither party will make use of
any protection which it affords, may afford, to any
State people, for the purpose of erecting or main
tanning any Notifications, or OF occupying, terrifying
colonising the countries therein specified / he
treaty therefore, does not require existing protection
but OILY forbids using such protection for
certain specified purposes.
| repeatedly informed Mr. Buchanan that it was
the wish OF her Majesty's government 10 withdraw
from the proiectorate of Mosquito, provided they
could do so with honor, securing adequate provision
for the King and the Indians of that country that
Ruatan possession OF her Maiesty's crown
and that, her Maiesty's government could not
consent to abandon the protectOTate of Mosquito or
to give up the Island of Ruaan merely in pursuance
OF an Interpretation given by the government OF the
United States to treaty, which Interpretation her
MaJestys government did not admit, the most usual,
well as the most friendly course to pursue, was
to refer the meaning Of the treaty the decision of
third power.
This offer made by me TO Mr. Buchanan by
the direction of her Majesy's government it was
several times renewed and discussed between US
Mr.. Champion ought undoubtedly, according to his
instructions, 10 have commune tied to Mr. Marcy, al
the time when lie received it my despatch of the
9th November, giving account of conversations
with Mr.. Buchanan, but his not having done so was
of little consequence Mr.. Buchanan had often as
sured me that everything which had passed between
us had been duly reported to his government. | am
therefore at loss 10 understand how it happened
that the President should, stated by Mr.. Marcy
have been induced only by certain collateral incidents
to infer that arbitration by third power of the diff
ference between the two governments in relation to
Central America had been proposed by her Maies-
tvs government.
misconception has, however. taken place. which
is TO be regretted on account of the delay which it
has occasoned, but this has been render ed compare.
lively unmportant by the despatch of Mr. Marcy
and the course Of proceeding which he proposes
| for the adoption OF the two governments. Her Ma.
iesty's government being solicitous the Presi.
dent to preserve unimpared the friendly relations o
the two countries, prepared to enter into negotia
tisns on these matters with sincere desire 10 bling
them TO speedy and satisfactory conclusion.
Mr.. Marcy is correct when he states that Great
Britain lays claim to any possession or territory
on the Mosquito coast, and her Majesty government
consider now they have always considered, tha
! the future condition Of the Mosquito Indians, foI
which her Majestys government are bound in honor
to provide might be assured by direct negotiations.
1t is not contended, never has been contended
that the British Government, consistently with the
stipulatons of the treaty of 1850, could. in the
of the Mosquito Indians, " take with military force
| and hold San Juan de Nicaragua or any other point
in Central America :" and her Majesty's Government
agree with MI. Marcy, that such proceeding would
| be irreconcieabe with the independence and neutral
ty Of the I>thmus, and would render the traty nuga
tory to the Uuted States but no such preIensior
has ever been advanced, and such proceeding ha!
been contemplated.
With resrect TO the district of Belize, her Maesty
government consider that the only question to b'
determined regards Central America - that OF tint
boundary between that country and he British pos
sessions and in the settlement of that question m
insurmounahIe difficulty need be anticipated
With respect 10 Ruatan and the Other Bay Islands
these at different Ieriods, have been held by Grea
Britain well as Spain; and, having been again oc
cuped by British settlers, formal possession
of Ruaan in 1889, by Great Britain, which has sine
been uninterruptedy maintained The popuatio
Y increased fast. and magistrates were from time t
time, appointed by the superintendent Of Belize IN
til 1882 hen these islands received a register fo5f
of colonial government solely for the purpose c
their better internal administration but Great Brai
\ 4 TlUht hat Sh