Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-01-04

whole Oi Its Atlantic coast, and lastly to a
part Of the coast of Costa Rica 4; and they
are now reasserted to this extent, notwith-
standing engagements to the | nlted States
On the eastern coast of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, the interference Of Great
Britain. though exerted at one time in the
form of military occupation of the port of
San Juan del Nortc. then in the peaceful
possession of the appropriate authorities of
the Central American States, is now pre-
sented by her as the rightful exercise Of a
protectorship over the Mosquito tribe Of
Indians
=. But the establishment at the Balize
now reaching far beyond its treaty limits
into the State Of Honduras. and that of
the Bay Islands, appertaining Of right to
the same State, are as distinctly colonial
governments as those Of Jamaica or Can
ada, and therefore contrary TO the very
letter as well as the spirit Of the conven-
ton with the United States, as it was at
the time of ratification, and now is. under
stood by this government
The Interpretation which the British
government, thus in assertion and act,
persists in ascribing 10 the convention, en-
tirely changes its character While it
hold, rs to ell our obligations, it in great
measure releases Great Britain from those,
which constituted the consideration Of this
government for entering into the conven-
ton. 1t is impossible, in my Judgment
Tor the United States to acquesce in such
a construction OF the respective relations OF
the two governments to Central America.
To 4 renewed call by this government
upon Great Britain, TO abide by. and car
" into effect, the stipulations Of the con.
yeution according 10 its obvious import, By
Withdrawing from the possession or coloni.
zatlon ot portions vf H. Tantr.I American
States Of Honduras. Nicaragua and Costa
Rica. the British government has at length
replied, affirming that the operation of the
treaty Is prospective only, and did not re-
quire treat Britain to abandon or contract
any possessions held by her in Central
America at the date of its conclusion.
This reply substitutes partial issue, in
the place of the general one presented by
the nited States The British govern
ment passes over the question of the rights
Of Great Britain, real or supposed, in Cen,
tral America, and assumes that she had
such rights at the date oi the treaty, and
that those rights comprehcnded the protec-
tor>hip Of the Mosquito Indians. the ex-
tended jurisdiction and limits of the Ba-
lie, and the colony ofthc Bay Islands, and
thereupon proceeds by Implication to infer,
that. if the stipulations of the treaty be
merely future in effect, Great Britain may
still continue to hold the contested por-
tjons of Central America. The United
States cannot admit either the Inference
or the premises. We steadily deny. that,
at the date of the treaty, Great Britain
had any possessions there, other than the
limited and peculiar establishment at the
Ballze, and MAINTAIN that, If she had any,
they were surrendered by the convention.
Inns government, recognizing the obl-
cations OF the treaty, has OF course, desired
TO see 1t executed III good faith by both
parties and IN the discussion, therefore,
mas not looked to rights, which We might
assert, Independently Of the treaty, in con-
Slaeratlon OF our geographical position and
"i otner circumstances, which create tor
Us relations tothe Central American States,
dlherent from those OF any government in
Europe.
ne british government, IN Its last com
munlcatl"n, although well knowing the
views Of the United States still declares
mat 1t sees no reason why c"ncIIlatory
spirit may not enable the Two governments
To overcome all obstacles TO satisfactory
djustmeht oi the subject.
Assured OF the correctness OF the con-
structlon OF the treaty constantly adhered
to by TINS government, and resolved 10 in
sint On the rights OF the United States, Yet
actuated also 10y the same desire, which is
avowed BY the British government, to re-
move all causes of serious misunderstand-
ing between two nations associated BY 50
many ties Of interest and kindred, it has
appeared to me proper not to consider an
amlcable solution of the controversy hope
less,
/ There Is, however, reason to toapprehcnd,
that with treat britain IN the actual oc-
cupatlon OF the disputed territories, and
the treaty therefore practically null so far