Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-20
THE PLOT THICKENS.

IND the htdai te2t ot tne fresluen9o "ho0e"ho -
Central American affairs, of which an abstract was
published q the Enquirer Of Saturday.
This Message exhibits those qualities OF canaor in
the expression Of opinion and ability IN the STATE
ment of argument, which 80 conspicuousiy ais''h-
guish every production of the accomplished auIhof'
The lae,tof his Official communications to Congress,
will detrast nothing from the reputation wnioh the
series of his State papers has already secured Tor
President Pierce Equally clear in a narrative OF
facts, and in the presentation OF his positions,
he supplies all the information bearing upon the
question in discussion, and presses home his convlc
tions with an almost irresistible power of persuasion
The Messaso, iu tito main, commands our entire con-
currsnce aud hearty appreciation. :
In the recognition Of the de faeto government OF
Nicaragua, the President no doubt was determined
nv exigences of State which the public are not pre-
nar.d TO apprecste for want of information on all
the possible bearings of the measure. For ourselves
though syerse originally to the establishment, at this
particular crisis, Of diplomatic relations with the
Waker-Rivas administration and though not yet
entirely satisfied of the necessity and wsdem OF the
policy, still we can unhesitatingly rely upon the ap-
proved patriotism and discretion of the President,
until anpler information will Justify in final and
deliberate declaration OF opinion.
No person who attentively observes the progress
and the successive developments of the dispute be-
tween the British and American governments, can
resist the conclusion that the two countries are IN i'm
mnent hazard of collision. From the beginning we
attributed to the controversy more serious and me-
nacing aspect than the public were willing to accept
For our predictions of a possible RUPTURE We were
reproached with excessive nervousness and dispo-
sition to magnify very diminutive difficulty into
great and portentous proportions. Whether or not
these taunts were just, may be asceraned by refer
encs the present aspect Of the controversy and to
the gloomy apprehensions which possess the minds
Of the most sagacious statesmen in Washington. -
Among such persons there prevails deliberate con-
vction that the difficulty between the United States
and Great Britain is complicated beyond the pro-
liability of pacific solution.
1t is absolutely certain that the British Ministry
have refused to recall Champion and his accompces
in the enlistment business. Our hope that Pal
merston would not be sustained in that determine.
ton; and that he would be compelled to give place to
an Administration which would at least submit to some
compromise of the position assumed by the British
Government But, against all calculations the Pal.
merston Ministry have achieved signal triumph on
question which was brought forward to test their
strength; and have thus consolidated their power and
dispirited the opposition. Emboldened by such un'
expected and decisive success, it is scarcely probable
that they will recede from their position, or exhibit
less naughty and obstinate spirit of resistance to
demands. The assurance of stability to the power
of Lord Paimerston, dissipates every hope Of q
prompt and satisfactory adjustment of the controver
sy with Great Britain.
The refusal Of the British Government to recall
Champion and his accomplices, will impose upon
the President the necessity Of dismissing them
from ths country. That he will meet this obi
cation with adequate nerve, we have every
assurance. He has extendsd to Champion the
| utmost indulgence of official courtesy; and that
was undoubtedly the proper policy. But farther for
bearanoe will be mistaken FOR timidty and We have
reason to believe that the President will now vindi
cate the honor of the country with vgor and cour
age which the nstion will applaud Iti certain that
in the dismissal Of Champion and his accompces, he
will be sustained by the almost unanimous voice OF
| the country.
There is some doubt to the consequences Of this
measure The dismissal of Minister is not abso-
lutte beAi but it may hopelessy complicate an
existing controversy, and exasperate the feelings of
the parties beyond the possibility of friendly
ciation. Watching one another with jealous antog-
onism, and with the pride Of the nations already
roused to pitch of angry resentment there ration
al apprehension that such act will lend to eventual
hostilities. 1t will certainly provoke immediate re-
taliaton; aud the steamer that carries out Champion
may bring back our own Minister.
While the United States and England are thus
"drifting" into war; another difficulty multiplies the
| probabilities of collision.
The Clayton Bulwer treaty was compact of con-
tradicons 1t sets out with protest on the part Of
this government against foreign Intervention in Cen
trail America, and yet admits and acquesces in the
British protectorate over Mosquito! 1t pretends to
accomplish the expulsion of England from the States
of the Isthuus and yet comedies in codcil the e.
gality and permanent continuance Of the British pos
sessions in Honduras and ats dependencies 1t
claims to adjust difficulty which, in truth, it only
e,nbarrasses by the introduction OF other matters Of
difference and dspute. These are the imposing pre-
TENSIONS and this the calamitous effect, of the ILL.,
starred treaty of 1850.
Bv our construction Of this treaty, Great Britain is
bound to abandon all her possessions in Central Amer:
ca, with the exception Of the settlement at Belize II
fact she extends her domnions, constitutes the Bag
Islands into colonial dependency, and tenaciously
adheres to Ler Mosquito prctectosae. What is to be
done Why, remove the cause Of controversy. Diff
ferine in the Interpretation of the compact, and
standing obstinatey upon their respective construc-
tions the only logical and sensible conclusion is that
the parties should abrogate the treaty and resume
their original relations 1t is doubtful if this policy
is now practicable. In decreeing the annexation Of
MOSQUITO to the dorninions Of Nicaragua, Walker vi
oated the protectorats and bade defiance to the pow
er of Great Britain In recognizing the government
of Nicaragua, we have given moral sanction to Its
acts and to the validity OF its territorial Jurisdiction
Great Britain may avail itself of this fact as pre-
text for refusing any concession to our demands and
may insist upon The literal construction Of the treaty
Every hope of pacific adjustment of these difii-
culties with England was based upon the great abi
ties Of the American Representative in london, and
the friendly disposition of She British people. The
surpriaipg unaninty with which the Palmerston Ad-
m'nissrasion is supported in Parliament aud the al
tered tone Of the public press convince of in
this last calculation. The Daily Ners even, of all
English journals the most partial to this country,
Indignantly protests against the recall CT Champion
mat Mr' DoAas VIII experience better fortune than
hi. predecessor, IL more than can affirm from the
present aspect of the controversy. So far tits true
be has conducted himself in manner to conciliate
the esteem of the British people, and to impress them
with an adequate appreciation of his abilities. His
speech at the Lord Mayors banquet, wsa E. master.
piece of di,orest spd uklfal dipomncyi iusomuch as
10 extort compliment from the London Times
Perhaps he may achieve the glory Of rescuDg the
country from the calamties Of an all but inevitable
conflict with Great Britain.
JORDAN, A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL.
The Wh;e is condemned to the unsrateful task Of