Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-01

over the question of the rights of Great Bri-
tain, real or supposed, in Central America
and assumes that she had such rights at the.
date of the treaty, and that those rights COM
pretended the protectorship of the Mosquito
Indians, the extended juri isdiction and limits
OF the Balize, and the colony of the Bay
Islands, and thereupon proceeds by implics-
tion to infer, that, if the stipulations of the
treaty be merely future in effect, Great Bri-
tain may still continue to hold the contested
portions of Central America. The United
States cannot admit either the inferences or
me premises We steadily deny, that, at the
date OF the treaty, Great Britain had any nos
sessions there, other than the limited and De-
culiar establishment at the Balize, and main
tain that if she had any they were surren
dered by the convention.
This government, recognizing the obliga-
tions OF the treaty, has of course desired to
see it executed in good faith by both parties,
and In the discussion, therefore, has not looked
to rights which we might assert independently
OF the treaty, in consideration of our geogra-
phical position and of other circumstances,
which create for US relations to the Central
American States different from those of any
government of Europe.
The British government, in its last commu-
nicatiOn, although we'll lknewing the views of
the United States, still declares that it sees no
reason why a conoiliatory spirit may not ena-
bic the two governments to overcome all OBJ.
stacles to satisfactory adjustment Of the SUBJ
ject
Assured Of the correctness of the construc-
tion of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government, and resolved to insist on the
rights Of tho United States, yet actuated also
by the same desire which is ayowed by the
British government, to remove all causes of
serious Misunderstanding between two nations
associated by so many ties of interest and
kindred, 1t has appeared to me proper not to
consider an amicable solution Of the contro-
versy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend,
that, with Great Britain in the actual occupa-
ton Of the disputed territories, and the treaty
therefore practically null so far as regards
our rights, this international difficulty cannot
| long remain undetermined, without involving
IN serious danger the friendly relations which
| 1t Is the interest as well as the duties of both
countries to cherish and preserve 1t will
afford me sincere qualification, if future efforts
| snail result In the success, anticipated here
tofore with more confidence than the aspect of
the case permits me now to entertain.
| RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between the
| United States and Great Britain has grown out
of an attempt, which the exigencies of the war
in which she is engaged with Russia induced
her to make, to draw recruits from the United
States
|
the United States to maintain impartia a. neu-
trality during the wars, which from time to
time occur among the great powers of the
| world. Performing all the duties of neutrality
towards the respective belligerent states, VIC
may reasonably expect them not to interfere
| with our lawful enjoyment of its benefits
| Notwithstanding the existence of such hostil.
tiles, our citizens retain the individual right
to continue all their accustomed pursuits, by
land or by sea, at home or abroad, subject only
| to such restrictions in this relation, as the
laws of war, the usage of nations, or special
treaties, may impose; and it is our sovereign
| right that our territory and jurisdiction shall
not be invaded by either Of the belligerent
parties, for the transit of their armies, the
operations of their fleets, the levy of troops for
their service, the fitting out of cruisers by or
against either, or any other act or incident of
| war And these undeniable rights of neutral
ity, individual and national, the United States
will under no circumstances surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws of the
United States do not forbid their citizens to
sell to either of the belligcrent powers articles
cOntraband Of war. or to take munitions of
war or soldiers on board their private ships
for transportation; and although, in so doing.
the individual citizen exposes his property or
| person to some of the hazards of war, his acts
do not involve any breach OF national neutral
| ity, nor of themselves implicate the govern
ment. Thus, during the progress of the pres
| ent war IN Europe, our citizens have without
national responsibility therefor, sold gun
| powder and arms to all buyers, regardless of
| the destination of those articles. Our mer-
chantmen have been, and still continue to be,
largely employed, by Great Britain and by
France, In transporting troops provisions, and
munitions Of war 10 the principal seat Of mil.
ltary operations, and in bringing home their
sick and wounded soldiers; and. such use of our
mercantile marine is not interdicted either by
| the International, or by our municipal law,
| and therefore does not compromit our neu-
| tral relations with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with
the law OF nations, peremptorily forbids, not
only foreigners, but our own citizens, to fit out,
within the limits of the United States, a YES
eel TO commit hOstilities against any state
| with which the United States are at peace, or
to increase the force Of any foreign armed
| vessel intended for such hostilities against a
friendly state.
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either OF the bclligerent powers lest private
| armed cruisers, or other vessels in the service
of one, might bo fitted out in the ports of this
country to depredate on the property Of the
other, all such fears have proved TO bo utterly
groundless. Our citizens have been withheld
from any such act or purpose by good faith,
and by respect for the law.
While the laws of the Union are thus Pc
/
ment or armament Of belligerent cruisers in
our ports, thoy provide not less absolutely
that no person shall, withinSthe territory of
| jurisdiction of the United States, enlist or en-
ter himself, or hire or retain any person to
enlist or enter HIMSELF or to go beyond the
limits or jurisdiction Of the United States with
| intent TO be enlisted or entered, in the ser.
vice Of any foreign state, either as a soldier,
| or a marine or seaman on board of any yes
sel-of-war, letter Of marque, or prIvateer.
And these enactments are also in strict con-
formity with the law Of nations, which de-
| clares, that no state has the right to raise
| troops for land or sea service in another state
| without it's consent, and that, whether forbid
| den by tho mutual law or not, the very at
/ tempt to do it without such consent is an at
tack on the national sovereignty
Such being the public rights and the mum
| cipal law Of the United States, no soliaitude
on the subject was entertained by this gov
ernment, when, year since, the British Par
lament passed an act to provide for the en-
listment of foreigners in the military service
1 r. la Al