Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-01-10

cOguiEsd the full aud sovereign rights Of Spain
in the most unequiVoeal terms. Yet these pre-.
tensions, SO without Foundation IN the begin.
ming aud thus repeated abjured. we're, at
recent period, revived BY Great Britain against
the Central American States, the legitimate
successors to all the ancient jurisdictions Of
Spain in that region. They we're first applied
only to definite part Of the coas. Of Nicara-
qua. afterwards to the whole Of its Atlantic
coast, and lastly to a part Of the coast of Costa
Rlcaj and they are now re.asserted to this ex-
tent notwithstanding engagements Of the y.
States. On the eastern coast of Nicaragua
and Costa Rica, :he interference Of Great Bri-
tain, though exeried at one time in the form Of
military occupation Of the port of San Juan
del Norte. then in the peaceful possession Of
the appropriate authorities Of the Central A.
merican States, is now presented to her as the
rightful exercise Of prOtectorship over the
Mosqueto tribe Of Indians.
But The establishment of the Balize. now
reaching far beyond the treaty limits, into the
State Of Honduras, and that Of the Bay Is
lands, apperiaining of right to the same state.
are as distinctly Colonial Governments as those
OF Jamaica or Canada. aud therefore contrary
to the very letter as well as the spirit of the
convention with the United States. as i was at
The time of ratification, and now is understood
by this Government.
The Interpretation which the British gov
ernment. thus in assertion and act, persists in
ascribiug to the convention, entirely changes
its character. While it holds us to all our OBJ
legations, it, in measure, releases Great Bri.
tain from those which constituted the consider.
alton Of this governmc Mt for entering into the
convention. lis impossible, in my judgement
for the United States TO acqujesce in such q
construction of the respective relations Of the
two Governments TO Central America.
TO renewed call by this government upor
Great Britain. to abide BY, aud carry into ef
feet, the stipulation Of the convention, accord
ing TO its obvious import, oy Withdrawing from
the possession or colonization of portions Of III,
Central american States of Honduras, Nicar
aqua, and { Costa Rica, the British Government
has at length replied, affirming that the opera
ton of the treaty is prospective only and die
not abandon or contract, any possession helC
By her in Central America, at the date of it
conclusion
This reply substitutes partial issue. in tn
place of the General one presented by the U
States, The British Government passes owe
the question Of the rights of Great Britain, rea
or supposed, in Central America, and assume
that she has such rights at the date of the trea
ty, and that those rights comprehend the pro
tectorship of the Mosquito Indians, the extend
ed Jurisdiction and limits of the Balize, an
the colony Of the Bay Islands, and thereupo
proceeds BY implication to infer, that, if tn
stpulations Of the treaty be merely future
effect, Great Britain may still continue to mol
the contested portions of Central America :
], The united Statates cannot admit either the il
reference or the premises. We steadily deny
, that at the date of the treaty, Great Britai
had any possessions there, other than the lin
s [ited and peculiar establishment at Baiize, al
maintain that, if she had any, they were su
Y rendered by the convention.
This Government, recognizing the oblig
tions of the treaty, has Of course desired
/ see it executed in good faith by both partie
l. and in the discussion, therefore, has not look'
9 TO rights. which we might assert, independeu
: ly of the treaty, in consideration of our ge
/ graphical position and of other circumstance
IS which ere ate for us relations to the Centr
e American States, different from those Of al
Government Of Europe.
P The British Government, in it's last comm
'i nicstion, although well knowing the views
the United States, still declares that it sees
l. reason why conciliatory spirt may not enat
OIL the two Governments TO overcome all obs
of cles TO satisfactory adjustment of the subje
D Assured of the correctness of the Construct
lie of the treaty constantly adhered TO BY Il
i government, and resolved to insist on the rigl
b of the United States, yet actuated also by t
e same desile, which is ayowed by the Brit
'h Government, to remove all causes Of seric
~ Misunderstanding between two nations assoc
er ted by SO many ties Of interest and kindrf
On it has appeared to me proper net to consid
s. an amicable solution of the controversy boz
less.
There is, however reason to apprehend. Il
nc with Great Britain in the actual occupation
IN the disputed territories, and the treaty the
se fore practically null, so far as regards c
ra rights this international difficulty cannot 10
:. remain undermined, without involving in st
GUS danger the friendly relations, which i is
", interest as we'll as the duty of both countI
al to cherish and preserve. Ii will afford
II, sincere qualification if future efforts shall
mo suit in the success anticipated heretofore "
nc more confidence that the aspect Of the C