The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-05

to effect the stipulatlOns Of the convention
according to its obvious import. BY with
drawing from the possession or colonization
OF portions OF the Central American States
OF Honduras, Nicaragna and Costa Rica, the
British Government has 1T length replied,
affirming that the operation Of the treaty is
prospective only, and did not require Great
Britain to sbandon or contract any posses
sions held by her in Central America at the
date OF its conclusion.
This reply substitutes 4 partial issue. IN
the place OF the general one presented BY
the United States. The British Govern
ment passes over the question Of the rights
Of Great Britain, real or supposed, in Gen.
tral America, and assumes that she had such
rights at the date Of the treaty, and those
rights comprehended the proteetorship Of
the Mosquito Indians, the extended jurisdic-
ton and limits Of the Balize, and the colony
The Bay Islands, and thereupon proceeds by
implication to infer, that, IL the stpuluiions
Of the treaty be merely future in effect, Great
Britain may still continue hold the contest
ed por tions Of Central America. The Uni.
ted States cannot admit either the inference
or the premises We steadily deny, that, al
the date of the treaty, Great Britain had any
possessions there, other than the limited and
peculiar establishment at the Balize, and
maintain that, if she had any, they were sur
rendered by the convention.
This Government, recognizing the obi
cations Of the Treaty, has Of course desired
to see it executed in good faith by both par
ties; and in the discussion, therefore, has not
looked 10 rights, which we might assert, in
depenRent!y OF the Treaty, in consideration
Of our geographical position and Of other
circumstances, which create for US relations
To the Central American States, different
from those Of any Government of Europe.
The British Government, in its last COM
munication, although well knowing the
views of The United States, still declares
that II sees no reason why conciliatory
spirit may not enable the two Governments
to overcome all obstacles to a satisfactory
adjustment Of the subject.
Assured Of the correctness Of the con-
struction OF the treaty constantly adhered to
by this Government, and resolved to insist
the rights ofthe United States, yet actuated
also by the same desire which is avowed by
kttc DTlllHN uUfCtAIHIEUb " ECNnOFC uIl CuuScS
of the serious misunderstanding between
two nations associated by SO many ties of in
terest and kindred, it has appeared to me
proper not to consider an amicable solution
of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend
that, with Great Britain in the actual occu-
patton Of the disputed territories, and the
treaty therefore practically null, SO far as
regards our rights, this International difficult
ty cannot long remain undetermined, with.
out involving in serious danger the friendly
relations which it is the interest us we'll as
the duty of both countries to cherish and
preserve. 1t will afford me sincere gratii-
cation, if future efforts shall result in the
success, anticipated heretofore with more
confidence than the aspect of the case per.
mits me now TO entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
, the United States and Great Britain has
grown out of the attempt which the exigen.
cies of the war in which she is engaged with
Russia induced her to make. to draw recruit.
from the United States.
II is the traditional and settled policy o
the United States to maintain impartial neu.
trality during the wars which from time tc
time occur among the great powers of the
world. Performing all the duties Of neu
trality towards the respective beliigerent
States, we may reasonably expect them moi
to interfere with our lawful enjoyment o
its benefits. Notwithstanding the existenc,
of such hostlities, our citizens retain th,
individual right to continue ell their accus
toned pursuits,b by land or by sea, at home O
abroad. subject on ly to such restrictions il
this relation as the laws of war, the usage o
nations, or special treaties may impose
and it is our sovereign right that our territor,
and jurisdiction shall not be invaded b,
either of the belligerent parties, for tn,
transit of their armies, the operations O
their fleets, the levy of troops for their ser
vice, the fitting out Of cruisers by or agains
either, or any other act or incident OF war
And these undeniable rights of neutrality
individual and national, the United State.
will under no circumstances surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws Of thu
United States do not forbid their citizens t,
sell to either of the belligerent powers, arti
I cles contraband of war, or to take munition
Of war, or soldiers on board their privat
ships for transportation; and although, in s.
doing, the individual citizen exposes hi
property or person to some of the hazard
OF war, his acts do not involve any breac
Of national neutrality, nor of themselves inl
plicate the Government. Thus, during tn
the progress of the present war in Europe
our citizens have, without national response
Ibility therefor, sold gunpowder and arms t
all buyers, regardless of the destination O
those articles. Our merchantmen hav
been, and still continue to be, largely EN-
ployed by Great Britain and France, il
transporting troops, provisions, and muni
tons Of war to the principle seat OF militar,
operations, and in bringing home their sicl
and wounded soldiers; but such use Of GU
mercantile marine is not interdicted ethe
by the International, ar by our municipa
4 law, and therefore does not compromt ou
neutral relations with Russia.
j But cur municipal law, in accordance wit
the law of nations, peremptorilr forbids, no
only foreigners. but our own citizens, to f
out within the limits of the United States
vessel to commit hostilities against any Stat
with which the United States are at peace
\ or to increase the force of any foreign -urme
vessel intended for such hostilites against
friendly State.
i Whatever concern may have been felt
either the belligerent powers lest privat
armed cruisers, or other vessels in the Sci
n vice of one, might be fitted out in the por,
!, OF this country to depredate on the propert
of the other, all such fears have proved to b
utterly groundless. Our citizens have bee
withheld from any such act or purpose b
good faith. and by respect for the law.