Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-25
Reported settlement of the Central Amc-
TiCan Question


The New York Herald of the ! 9th inst PUBLISH
es the following important communication from its
London correspondent:
| send you enclosed q complete copy Of the Con
venton for the restoration of the Bay Islands. The
only essential and peculiar part Of the general trea
" YOU are already in possession Of. A copy Of the
Convention touching the continental limits Of Hon
duras disposng Of the territorial preenisons on be-
half Of his Mosquito Majesty, will forward you, if
possible, by the next steamer.
| have Just heard that w Wednesday last, the
9th, before going to Scotland with the Queen,
Lord Clarendon signed prget with Mr.. Dallas, to
be submitted to Nicaragua, putting San Juan under
the sovereignty of the latter State, merely provid
ing that il shall be commercially free port. The
Mosquito question is disposed of, as explained TO
you in the summary which | sent you some weeks
ago.
If Walker comes out victorious against the ele-
ments now combined against him, | am sure he will
be recognized by the British government. The
subtle movements OF Louis Napoleon in the direc-
ton of Spain have alarmed England, and she feels
that whatever alliances she may have on the Cont
nent from motives Of policy, she has no friends
there, and that she cannot afford TO have an enemy
in the United States.
have no doubt that these considerations have
had their due weight in bringing about the Central
American settlement This settlement has been
somewhat delayed from the circumstance that-all
statements TO the contrary notwithstanding the 60
vernment at Washington did not give Mr.. Dallas
powers to conclude anything. They evidently
thought TO take advantage OF the desire THE Eng
lish government TO settle the Central American af-
fair to force il to send Minister IN place OF Cramp
ton. 1t is thus that opportunities of settling diff
cult questions are gambled with to effect political
purposes.
Conu,ution Bet,O,en Great Britain and Honduras
Reiatire 10 the bay Island
Her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Island, and the Republic OF
Honduras, being desirous to settle in a friendly
manner certain questions connected with the terris
torial limits OF the republic, have resolved TO con-
clude a convention for that purpose, and have
named their plenipotentiaries, &c, &c, who
have agreed upon aud concluded the following ar
ticles -
Art l. Taking into consideration the peculiar
Typographical position of Honduras and in order
60 secure the neutrality of the islands adjacent
thereto, with reference 10 any railway or other
line OF iuteroceanc communication which may be
constructed across the territories Of Honduras, her
Britanic Majesty aud the republic Of Honduras
agree 70 constitute aud declare the islands OF
Ruatan, Bouacca, Helena, Uta and Barbarctta,
situated in the Bay of Honduras, free terri
tory under the sovereignty Of the republic OF Hon
duras.
The present legislative, judicial and executive
authorities in said island shall remain in the
exercise of their functions until the Legisla.
tive Assembly of the said Islands may other
wise provide, with, however, the following eIcep-
tions
All functions hitherto exercised by the crown Of
Great Britain, and by the Governor Of Jamaica, in
the government aud Legislature OF the said island,
shall cease from the date OF the proclamation Of this
Convention therein; and such proclamation shall be
made soon possible after the exchange Of rSti
fcations.
All functions hitherto exercised by the supern.
tendeDt of the British settlement in the Bay OF
Honduras in the capacity OF Lieut. Governor OF the
said islands, aud by the presiding magistrate there
N resident in the government aud legislatou Of the
said islands, shall cease six months after the date
above mentioned, unless the legislative assembly
shall sooner provide substitutes for the above men.
toned functionaries.
The inhabitants of the free Territories shall then
permanently possess the following rights ADD immu'
mites:
lst To govern themselves by means Of their own
municipal government 10 be administered by
legislative executive and Judicial officers Of their
own election, according 10 their oNn regulations.
3. Trial by jury in their own courts.
Sd Perfect freedom Of religious belief and Eor.
ship, public aud private.
4th. Exemption from eli duties Of customs, and
all taxation real OF other property except
and collected for the treasury OF the free teui-
tory 20 be applied for the benefit OF the said free
territory.
5th. Exemption from military service, excep,
for the defence Of the free territory aud aiIhin its
bounds.
The republic Of Honduras engages not 10 exercise |
its rights Of sovereignty the islands which are
TO constitute such Tree territory 10 any manner 10
violation Of the rights and inmuuitiss specified IN
this article
The Republic also engages not to erect, nor 10 /
permit 20 Dc erected any lortfcaton on the said 4
islands, or any oteF island in the Bay OF Honduras,
nor to cede such islands, or any Of them, or tie /
right OF sovereignty over such islands, Or any /
part OF such sovereignty, 10 any baton or State 4
whatever.
And whereas, slavery has not existed 10 the said 1
islands, the Republic of Honduras hereby engages
that slavery shall not at any time hereafter be per-
mtted 20 exist therein.
Art IL. The contracting parties agree 10 con.
municate the present Convention 10 all other
maritime powers, 20 invite them 10 scesde 70 Is
Signed in London this day Oh, in the year
OF our Lord, 1850. CLAEEEDoN.
HERRAR