Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-01-09

and recognized the full and sovereign rights
of Spain In the most unequvocal terms. Yet
| these pretensions, so without solid foundation
| in the beginning and thus repeatedly abjured.
were, at recent period. revived by Great
Britain against the Central American States.
the legitimate successors TO all the ancient ju-
risdiction of Spain in that region. They
were first applied only to defined part of the
coast of Nicaragua, afterwards 10 the whole
of its Atlantic coast, and lastly to part OF
the coast of Costa Rica and they are now re-
asserted to this extent. notwithstanding en-
gagements to the United States.
On the eastern coast of Nicaragua and Cos
ia Rica, the interference of Great Britain,
though eSerted at one time in the form of mil
itary occupation of the port of San Juan del
Norte, then in the peaceful possession of the
appropriate authorities of che Central Ameri-
| can States. is now presented 6y hef ~ inc
rightful exercise of 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 Is
| lands, appertaining of right to the same State,
are as distinctly colonial governments as those
/ of Jamaica or Canada, and therefore contrary
| to the very letter as well as the spirit of the
! convention 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 gov
ernment, thus in assertion and act, persists IN
| ascribing to the convention, entirely changes
its character While it holds us to all oui
obligations, it in great measure releases
Great Britain from those, which constituted
the consideration to this government for en-
teriug into the convention. 1t is impossible,
in, ,,,J0 ,ant fho Init SfafpS fo
quiesce in such construction of the respec-
tive relations of the two governments to Cen
trail America.
To renewed call by this government upon
Great Britain, to abide by, aud carry into eff
| fect the stipulations of the convention accor-
ding to its obvious import, by withdrawing
from the possession or colonization of portions
of the Central American States of Honduras,
| Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the British gov
ernment has at length replied. affirming that
the operation of the treaty is prospective only,
and did not require Great 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 Uni
led States The British government passes
over the question of the rights of Great Brit
ain. 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 jurisdiction and limits
| of the Balize. and the cofcny or Bay 1slands,
and theieupon proceeds by implication to in
| fer that, if the stipulations of the treaty be
| merely future in effect, Great Britain may
still continue to hold the contested portions of
Central America. The United States cannot
! admit either the inference or the premises
+; We steadily deny that. at the date of the trea-
! ty, Great Britain had any possessions there
| other than the limited and peculiar establish
ments at the Balize. and maintain that, if she
had any, they were surrendered by the con-
yention.
| This government. recognizing the obliga-
| iicns of the treaty, has of course desired to
see it executed in good faith by both parties,
aud IN the discussion, therefore, has not look
! ed to rights, which we might assert, indepen-
IDENTIFY of the treaty, in consideration of our
geographical position and of other circum-
stances. 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 knowing the views of
the United States, still declares that it sees
no reason why conciliatory spirit may not
obstacles to a satisfactory adjustment.
Assured of the correctness of the construcs
ton OF the treaty constantly adhered to by
| this Government, and resolved to insist Of
the rights of the United States yet actuated
also by the same desire, which is avowed by
the British government, to remove all causes
| of serious misunderstanding between two ma
tions associated by so many ties of interest
and kindred, it has appeared to me proper
not to consider an amieable solution of the
controversy 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
it is the interest as we'll as the duty of both
countries to cherish and preserve 1t will af-
ford me sincere qualification. if future efforts
shall result in the success anticipated hereto
fore with more confidence than the aspect of
the case permits now entertain.
| RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain has grown
out of the 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
1t is the traditional and settled policy of the
i United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars which. from time to time, oc-
cur among the great powers of the world.
Performing all the duties of neutrality to-
wards the respective beligerent states, we
may reasonably expect them not to interfere
| with our lawful aniaymey,t of its henetits