New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-05
THE CLAYTON AND BVLWEH
TREATAl

We have slrcady alluded to the fact that MIR.
Cayton's observations touching the intentions OF
the ncgotiators Of the Clayton and Bulwer Treaty,
must be taken with several grains of allowance
For our own part we believe that it was never the
intention or expectation Of the British negotlator
Of the treaty to surrender the Protectorate OF
Great Britain over the Mosquitoes. We believe
that Mr.. Clayton never approached this topic IN
his negotiations with Mr.. Bulwer, knowing full
well the position which that Minister occupied
ON that point but that he cautiously
avoided it. intending to obtain by indrecton
and diplomatic wiles what be knew would not be
knowingly yielded in unequivOcal terms. We have
reason to believe that Mr.. Clayton chuckled not
little at what he deemed his success over the British
diplomatist, and was not altogether complimentary
in the terms he applied TO the astuteness of that
functionary Mr.. Clayton hattered himself on his
phr0seOloey in the treaty, and thought he had Mr.
Bulwer fast on the point of surreudering the pro-
tectorste. Mr. Bulwer came with prestige a.
sharp and knowing man in diplomacy, and Mr.
CLAYTON claimed the honor of having quito out
Generated him. Mr.. Clayton believed, orproiessed
to believe, that the terms used by him III the treaty.
by which Great Britain was not to "colonze, Tor
"tifv or exercise dominion i'll Central America,
included her Mosquito prOtectorate.
But Lord Clarendon denies the fact and denies
tbe intention, with what we believe to be great
tnthfuness. And he intimates very distinctly
that Mr. Clayton knew perfectly well during the
negotiation of the treaty that neither the British
Government nor Mr.. Bulwer ever had any inten-
ton of renquishing the prOtectorate And here
we wish to take occasion to do tho justice to Mr.
Webster, Of saying that he penetrated at once aud
distinctly the designs Of our negotiation, and saw
the intentions and comprehended the acts OF the
British Minister, and that believing the treaty did
not do what it was alleged it did by our side, de-
clined while Secretary of State to take any steps
toward furtherine Mr.. ClaytOns and MIR. Casss
Interpretation of it. As between the two diplo-
mats We think it is plain case of the bitter being
bit Mr.. Clayton thought he had entrapped Sir
Henry Bulwer, while the fact is that the boot was
on the other leg. Ii was q struggle for generaship
in the use Of terms, which is ever the chief con-
test of diplomats. Mr.. Clayton thought be won,
but it turns out but too plainly that be did not.
The treaty does not exclude and destroy the pro-
tectorate and if that particular thing is to be done
the lob will have to be begun de nocO. A new
treaty must be made and in it the end aimed at
must be called by its true name.
By way of -elicitng 1--WE were going TO say the
facts of the case but We are not sure this can be
done by the process) some additional light on the
subject it would be useful for some nquisitve
man in the Senate TO catechze Mr. Clayton closely
Oh the points We have advanced. Let US see what
he will have TO say touching his verbal cOnmuni-
cations with Sir Ii. Bulwer on the point of the re-
inquisbmeut of the British protectorate over the
Mosquitoes. Did the subject ever into the DELHI
erstions and discussions of the two officials Did
Mr.. Clayton ever ask or suggest and did Sir II.
| Buwer ever coneede OF refuse the surrender OF
the protectorate Mr. Clayton Is now in the
Senate, and seemingly not unwilling to be inter-
pellatcd on the subject. There never can be q
better opportunity to get at statement of the
facts from our late distinguished Secretary. Let
Us have it. II will help to enlven a grave discus.
sion Perhaps il will serve to draw Out rejoinder
statement FROM Sir Henry Bulwer. Perhaps Il
question Of yeracity viii be started which will
result in pregnant revelations Of the arts Of dplo.
macy, Let Us have Mr.. Clayton on the witness
stand in respect to the particular point Of BIZ, yer.
bal or other discussions With Sir ii. Balver on the
Mosquito Protectorste.
The Washington correspondent Of 1hc Boston
,tse Cc~ Ch.n,np of R.,.a, =. .hnr,it.