The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-14
Import~nt from View Gransda-A Bratash
fleet Ordered to Operate Against that re-

Onr last intelligence from the Isthmus IL Of
an important and interesting character. 1t
makes us acquainted with a fact of some con-
sequence-of the rupture Of diplomatic rela-
tions between England and New Granada, and
the despatch of the British West Indian squadron
10 operate against that republic The facts OF
the controversy which has given rise to this Sc
rious step are detailed in the correspondence
which has taken place between the British Charge
d'Affairs, Mr.. Griffith, and the New Granadian
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Senior Limo de
Pombo. This correspondence we publish to day.
The Macintosh claim, which is the origin OF
the controversy, is an old and somewhat cele-
brated ore. 1t arose under the Colombian con-
federacy, more than thirty years ago, and
amounted, at the time when that confederacy was
dissolved, to 81 100, 560-a sum which was duly
recognized by the Colombian Plenipotentiaries.
By treaty made between Great Britain and
he republic of New Granada. the 18th Dec, 1881,
but which did not have any binding influence till
August o. 1858, the republic bound itself to pay
half of the capital and interest Of this debt Sub
sequensly, on November "a, 1855, another treaty
or agreement was entered into between the same
Powers. in reference to the same subject; but as
it was not approved by the Congress of New Ora
NADIA, Great Britain signifed her resolve to annul
it and TO fall back upon the treaty of 1851, and
instructed her Charge at Bogota to insist upon a
prompt and exact fulflment of the conditions OF
the latter.
Mr. Griffith, the Charge, by his official note of
September Is, notified the Granadian govern
ment of his instructions That note was respond
ed to by Mr.. Limo de Pombo, who went into a
full examination Of the claim, and ended by
figuring out q result Of $22O, 900 odd, as due By
Mr.. Macintosh to the governments result
which he said had been arrived at by careful
scrutiny of the accounts. Mr.. Griffith re-
torts by saying that this is no new discovery
Of Mr. Pombo or of the Secretary Of Finance,
but had been several times before urged and its
fallacy proved. He repeats HIS demand for the
payment by the Granadian government of .Mr.
Macintosh claim; defines the amount due him
to be: capital s419,2O6 SO; interest, S66,Oss
97-total, S4S5,295 AZ; signifies that he will
accept payment of one halt in hand and the
balance in three months, and privately acquants
Mr. Pombo of the Interior measures which he is
and makes offers of settlement; but the repre-
sentative of John Bull is obstinate. A few
more notes and interviews only served to con-
vince him that he had no other resource but to
comply with bis Instructions; and accordingly on
the sth October be notifies Mr.. Pombo that diplo-
IrnE off fhof fbo
British West India squadron is ordered to visit
the waters OF New Granada and enforce pay
ment of the Macintosh claim Mr. Pombo, de-
teImined to have the last word, tells Mr.. Grit
fifth that his action has been hasty and incon-
siderate, but that nevertheless, he (Mr P.) has
neet A capital joke on the part OF the waggish
Secretary. And so affairs stood at the date Of
cur latest intelligence.
The action on the part Of the powerful govern
ment of Great Britain against a weak govern
ment like that of New Granada, is one which can
hardly be approved or justified. But ii is most
remarkable at this time, as evidencing, In con-
nection with other facts, the existence of regu-
lar precoDcerted plan of action by England,
France and Spain against Central America,
South America and Mexico. Spain has recently
taken it into her head to try and enforce the pay
ment by Mexico of her debts to the Spanish bond
holders; and while she is preparing an armada at
Havana to make descent upon Vera Cruz,
England recollects that she too has some claim
against Mexico for indemnity to one or two
British subjects, whose interests are said TO have
been injured by the action Of the Mexican
government. And thus Mexico is menaced at
once by the two Povers-ther principal motive
being to obtain a foothold there, from VIII, nee
they might operate to prevent the carrying out
of vidaurris idea Of Sierra Madre republic,
with its ultimate annexation TO the United States.
So, too, when a treaty was made between the
which the Bay Of SANTANA was to be ceded to us as
station for our ships-ts ratification was prevent
cd by the combined action Of the English, French
and Spanish Consuls in San Domingo; and the
latter official set on foot matriculating scheme
by which Dominicans are to be converted into
again an appanage TO the crown Of CASTLE.
So also is now in regard TO the republic OF
New Granada. The English government has b
come apprehensive lest, owing to the Panams
massacre Of the 18th Of April last, (for which Il Is
now said an indemnity Of ssoOooo has been de
manded) our government should, as recommend
cd by its Commissioner assume military occupa-
ton Of the Isthmus; and 50, resolved also to have
her finger in the pie where anything of that kind
is TO be done England Is sud denly seized with al
eleventh hour resolution TO see justice done TO
Mr.. Macintosh and, IN case the Granadian go
vcrbment should refuse to recognize his Claim or
pay il promptly, to send feet 10 operate against
the republic. All these facts taken 10 connection
leave little room TO doubt Of the existence Of a
preconcerted plan Of action between the three
European governments TO intervene. wherever it
i possible, in the affairs Of this continent look
out for further Developments.