Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-01-07

in view attic conclusion othc Csoscnton namely the
security of the proposed Ship Canal the British Govern
men consider that tho design of the contracting parties
disturb any stats of things thcn existing but
guard against the future creation Of state OF things
Which might, by possibility ntersre with the seostr Of
the is obvious from the provision in the sxth
article BY which the contracting parties engaged TO invite
enter into stipulaons with them, similar TO
those contained in the Convention But IL the positions
of the United States Government sound, and the
ATTENDED, ioiarisrs it, taa. stata OF
things existing the tine of its conclusion, and TO inn
pose upon Great Britain withdraw from portions OF ter
titory occupied by it. asimsr obligation would be
the Government OF Central American StStes would by
the of accession sign their rights to the
territories in which they arc situated
The British Government share the conviction of the
President OF the United States, that the interest Of the
countries and their mutual desire maintain existing
friendly relations wilahke Inspire each party with
chaory spirit and cradle them all Obstacles
to satisfactory adjustment OF Central American questions
The British Government why IL should be
otherwise. The British Government neither have the
wish extend the Limits OF their possessions she sphere
of their influence la that quarter would British
interest be promoted by doing but the British Govern
prepared to contract either the the
other in pursuance o the Interpretation of Convention TO
which Interpretation they cannot subscribe.
The undersigned requests Mr. Buchanan to accept the
assurance OF his highest consideration
tSignedl CLARENDON
Foreign Office SPIT 9s 1863
Nr. B,r-1dn0R 10 lord CloreHdo,.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Penpotentary OF the United States, has tho honor To
acknowledge the receipt of the note of.the Earl OF Cha
endou, Her Majcsty Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs dated the aSh ultino, in reference
to the Central American questions, between the two
Governments; and he will fail transmit copy
ofhe by the to the Secretary of State
at Washington .-..-
whl. far from intending to renew the general dis
cussoa of these questions. which has already been
hau.ted, the undersigned, in passing would make a
single observation IN regard the Earl Of Clarendons
remarks that il the Convention of 18th of April 1850,
had intended that Great Britain should withdraw from
her possessions i'm Central America, lit would have
contained in specific renuneaton TO that effect
land such remuneration would have been left
matter of Inference"
Now it appears to the Undersigned that engagement
by party Ito occupy exercise dominion ter
or of which that purity in the actual possession at the
date OF the engagement IL equivalent in all respects TO
agreement to withdraw from such territory Under
these circumstances this is "a matter OF infer
ence because the proposition il necessarily and in
separately involved iu the other aud they merely alter
native modes OF expressing the same idea la such
case withdraw Is not to occupy; and not 70 occupy
necessarily TO withdraw.
The undersigned needs no apology briefly adverting
another argument of the Earl OF Clarendon, because
has for the first time been advanced He states that
Iii the proposition OF the United States Government
sound and the Convention intended interfere with
the of things existing at the time of it, conclusion
and impose upon Great Britain withdraw IRON por-
tons of territory occupied by IT, similar objection would
be contracted by the other States according the Con-
under the 9th article,) the Government OF
the Central American States would by the act OF
cession sign away their rights the territories in WHICH
they situated" 49,
Con6ning himself strictly to this view OF the subject
the undersigned would observe that notwithstanding the
general employed by the Convention, examina
ton It's provisions and especially OF the Sixth Article
itself will prove never intended that the Central American
States should become joint parties this treaty with the
United States Great Britain and other Governments eNie
ror Central America. These States the subjects
which the guarantees of the Convention TO act and
the exclusion of all powers from the occupancy of Cen
trail America with view only the security OF this
Canal but all other Canals aud Railroads across the 18th
mus of the main objects to be accomplished by
this Treaty.
The Earl of Clarendon has himself intmared how alb
sud would he for the Central American Government to
become parties this Convention, according to the Anne
absurd according the British construction because
then Central American State could accee the
without continuing itself for ever within lis existing boun
daes and agreeing to add to its territory and extend
it, occupation under any possible circumstances which
might arise in the future. ...4
, Besides we're it possible for Nicaragua for example,
become party this joint ConvenOn she would then
take upon herself the extraordinary obligation, her
own influence with hersef under the 4th Article, to in
duce herself aciltate the construction of the Canal
and 10 her good officers procure from herself the
fabshmpn OF two free ports, at each eud OF the Ca
nal both these ports being within her limits Con-
sequences almost equally extraordinary would result from
otller portions of the Convection
The undersigned has the honor to the Earl Of
Clarendon ts his distinguished consideration
lSignedl Jas. BucnANAS.
Legation OF the United States London, October g.