The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-11

] wv pI'Hb DIllllll, 10 HDlUc ny, ana carry lnlO
effect, the stipulatons of the convention ac-
cording 10 lis obvious import, by withdraw.
ing from the possession or colonization
OF portions of the Central American States
OF Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the
British government has ut length replied, nf-
iirming that the operation of the treaty is
prospective only, did not require Gerat Brit
AIN to abandon or contract any possession
held by her in Central America at the date of
its conclusion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, in
| place of the general one presented by tho
| United States. The British government
passes over the rights of Great Britain, real
or supposed in Central America, and assumes
| that she had sucl, rights Mt the date of the
treaty, and that those rights comprchended
the protcctorship Of the Mosquito Indians,
the extended jurisdiction and limits of the
Dalizc, and nic colony uf the Bay Islands, and
| thcrrupon proceeds by implication TO infer,
| that it the stipulations of the treaty be mere.
! ly future in effect, Great Britain may still con
tinue to hold the contested portions of Cen
tra America. The United States cannot ad-
init either the inference or the premises. We
steadily deny that ut the date of the treaty,
Great Britain had any possession there other
than the limited and peculiar establishment
ut the Baize and maintain that if she had
any, they we're surrendered by the conven.
ton.
! The government recognizing the obiiga.
tons of the treaty, has of course desired To
see it executed i'm rood faith bv both parties
and in the discussion therefore. has not look.
| ed to rights. which we mirht assert indc.
pendently o! the the treaty. in consideration
of our geographical position and of other
circumstances, which create for MS relations
to the Central American States different
/ from those of any other government of Eu.
rope.
The British government in its last commrl.
nir,tinn. ,l,lon,b wnii t,o,,;n,, ,I,o ,.;,,,,.s
of the United States, still declares il sees No
reason why u conciIiutory spirit NAV no;
enable the two governments to overcome al
obstacles to satisfactory adjustment of the
subject.
Assured of the correctness of the con.
construction of the treaty constantly adhered
to by this government and resolved to insist
on the rights of the United States, vet actu.
ated also by the same desire, which is avowcd
| by the British government, to remove ali
causes of serious misunderstanding betwec,
two nations associated by so many ties OF
interest and kindred, it has appeared to m,
proper not TO consider an amicabe solution
of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however reason to apprchcnd thai
with Great Britain in the actual occupation o.
the disputed territories, and the treaty there
fore practically null and, so far as regard.
our rights, this international difficulty canno
long remain undetermined, without involving
in seri ions danger the friendly relations
which 1t Is the interest ms well MS the dut,
OF both countries to cherish and preserve
IL VIII afford me sincere qualification, if fu
turc efforts shall result in the success, anlici
paied heretofore with more confidence thar
the aspect OF the case permit me now to en-
tertaln.
one other subject OF discussion between
the united states ami Great Britain ha.
grown o"t OF inc attempt, which the exigen
G,es OF 'ne war IN Which she is engaged will
hu:si', ihoueed ncr TO make, to draw re
crn,ts from the United States.
,, us TRADITIONAL and settled policy of tht
S"'s'" D'''eS w 'i'','ntaln impartial ncutraIil,
uur'nY Tue wars Which from time to time oc
Iul,eu ".hohG lhe great powers OF the world
ieno'mins aIi the duties oil neutrality to
""'us 'he respective belIlgerent States, w
niny re"sohaoiy expect them not to Interfere
Nun our i"wiu' ehJ"yments OF its benetiis.-
No.W''hsVat'ains .,!.. the existence OF such hos
.''l''es, our c'tlzehs retain the individual rich
W continue All their accustomed pursuits, BY
laou or oy sea, at home or abroad, suGjec
oh'y 10 such restrictions in this relation, II
'ne Jaws oi war, the usage OF nations, or spe
ciai 'reatieS, may impose and II is our sove
reign right that our territory and jurisdiction
shall not be invaded by either Of the bclig
erent parties, for the transit of their armies
Inc operations OF their fleets, the levy .
troops for their service, the fitting out o
cruisers by or against either, or any other ac
OF neutrality, individual and national, til,
United States under no circumstances cal
surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws O
the United States do not forbid their citizen,
to sell to either of the beirerent powers ar
ticles, contruband of war. or to tnkc mimi
tions Of war or soldiers on board their pri
vate ships for transportation: and although
in so doing, the individual citizen eynose,
his property or person to some of the hazard,
of war, his acts do not involve any breach a
national neutrality, nor of themselves impli
cate the government. Thus durin, The nro
gress of the present war in Europrs onr ,ti
zens have, without national rrsponsibilit,
therefor, sold runpowder and arms Ia ii
buyers, regardless of the destination of tbos,
articles. Our merchantmen have been an,
still continue to be, largely empIovrd n,
Great Britain and by France. in trnnsnortinI
troops, provisions and munitions of war ts
the principal seat of military oncrotions nm,
in bringing home their sick and woupdr,
soldiers; but such use of our mercontiIa mn
! Il, =. :.