The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-03

the task OF preventing between Great Britain and
Russia and the desire which felt to receive your instruc
tions In regard TO the suggestion which had made to
Lord Clarendon that the Mosquito Indians might be placed
in the same relation 10 Nicaragua that Indians
sustain 10 the United States Your satisfactory despatch
No n has removed all doubts this latter subject
bave reason TO believe that my omission TO press the
Central American questions at the present most important
crisis between Great Britain and Russia has been properly
appreciated by Lord Clarendon. s-r
On Monday last however, addressed his lordship a
note requesting an interview TO which have received bis
answer appointing tomorrow, rday at halfpas three
ocock for meeting too late for the next In
deed had TO expect that this he would him
self have taken the initiative and have invited me TO an
interview. y
am, sir, &c, JAMES BUCHANAN
Hon. W. l. MARCY, &c, &cr &c,
Washington. ..Y t."t *.
Mr. buchanan 10 lh. Marcy. :.
[E1tracsl
mo. 20] LEGATION or THE UNITED STATES
London, January 10, 1854
SIR: had long interview on Friday last with Lord
Clarendon, at the Foreign Office. We had much desutory
and pleasant conversation various topics but my
port shall eonne myself TO the substance Of what passed
between in relation to the pending questions between
the two governments
After conversation had ended on the fishery and
cprocy questions he informed that he had presented
my suggestion to the cabinet that Nicaragua should treat
the Mosquitoes within her limits Great Britain aud the
United States treated their Indians, under similar
circumstances and they thought he had done that it
was highly reasonable. told him glad to learn this
and was happy to inform him could state from adj
vices received by the last steamer that you were OF the
same opinion.
He then asked, In what shall carry this into
effect? and ntmaed that the appointment Of commits
soners by the two for this purpose might be
the best mode OF proceeding told him was not then
prepared to express opinion the subject but wsud
take into consideration The proportion OF territory to
be occupied by the Mosquitoes until their title was exn-
guished by Nicaragua ought to depend very much upon
their number Lord John Russell had stated this to be
thirty or forty thousand; whilst from my information,
which was however vague, ii did not exceed as many
hundreds He replied that Mr. Green, the British consul
and agent at Buefeds in London and had men
toned to him that my estimate of their number prob
ably correct in regard to the Mosquitoes north Of the San
JUAN though there might be thousand but that the
Mosquitoes south OF the San Juan to
der Lord Johns estimate Of the whole excessive. told
him had never heard that any portion of this tribe resi-
ded in Costa Rca, and thought there must be mis-
take in the statement of Mr. Green He then asked what
we should do with the grants of land which had been
made to individuals by The King of the Mosquitoes and
answered that under the law of all European nations
since the discovery of America well by the uniform
practice both of Great Britain and the United States such
10 him. somewhat in detail the decision this point made
by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case OF
johnson Mcintosh, e Wheaton, 543) TO which he ap
peared to listen with marked attention. e.. "
After this we had discursve and rambling conversa-
ton embracing the Ruaan and Belize questions the Clay
ton and Buwer treaty and several other matters which
do not propose to detail In the of he stated dis
tincty that this treaty was in their opinion entirely pros
pectve in its operation and did not require them to aban
don any OF their possessions in Central America At this
expressed my astonshnlent and discussed the point
In an earnest but good-natured manner.
In regard to Ruatan he said he had the papers in box
before him prove their title that island but it would
too much time to read them and therefore he had
thought of submitting his views to me respecting il in
writing This suggestion pleased much desired to
present to his lordship memorandum which had pre-
pared embracing whole in Central America |
told him, therefore should be much grstifed receive
his views in writing and at the same time informed him
that without changing our mode Of personal conference
desired also 70 deliver him written memorandum which
he might AT all times REFER containing statement Of the
the part Of my government With this he
pressed himself TO be much pleased sorry that shall
not be able 10 furnish you copy of this memorandum by
the present steamer
One incident may be worth particular mention. In the
OF the conversation he said the Bay Islands but
Of little value but if British honor required their reten
ton they could never be surrendered made play
full remark in reference the idea of British honor being
involved in small affair He then became quite
est the point OF honor which might he observed be
much involved in subjects of little of great value
To this assented but said that when the construc-
ton Of treaty was really doubtful which | did not
admit upon the present occasion, and when the friend
ly relations between two great countries at stake
there could in such be point of honor involved
in the yielding TO the other what admitted TO be
Of but little value lie replied that in this view Of the
case might lie correct
In regard to Belize there the least appearance
OF yielding the part of his lordshp He repudated
the idea with warmth that any should sup
pose they bad rrend red this settlement under the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty.
The time has therefore arrived when becomes indis
pensable that should receive the Presidents instructions
on this point In forming his opinion IL may be worthy
Of consideration that the British have been in the actual
possession of Belize under treaty, for than seventy
years that period fixed when they should with
draw from this possession that Spain declared against
Great Britain the llth October 1896 that attack
made from Yucatan Belize in 1893, which
PEELED by the British settlers and that for nearly quar-
ter Of century has been under regular colonial gov
ernmept without attracting the notice Of the United
StaIs.
In any event shall do my whole duty In FIRST urging
their withdrawal from the whole colony and i that should
prove successful then from the portion of Il south Of
the Sibun but what TO do in shall be unsuc
cessfu in both either OF these particulars shall await
your answer with considerable anxiety.
When pointed out TO Lord Clarendon, Bailey's map
which lay before him, the extent of the encroachment
which British settlers had made beyond the treaty limits
bis only answer In tone Of pleasantly that ought
not 10 complain Of encroachmen and instanced our ac
quston of Texas. then took occasion TO give him in
formation this subject for which he thanked me- and
said that he had never understood II before.
Returning again to the Mosquitoes Am TO consent that
they shall continue in the occupation of the territory
signed 10 them by the between hessrs Webster
and Champion of April 30 1852 until their title shall be
extiuguished by Nicaragua Whether this assignment
be unreasonable not would depend much upon their
number. You can doubtless ascertain at Washington
whether any considerable number Of the tribe nhab the
country south Of the San JUAN stated by Mr. Green
In regard To the Mosquitoes the question OF the greatest
dihcuty would seem TO be, in what manner Great
Britain and the United States inerpose suggested by
Lord Clarendon 10 Nicaragua from deprving these
Indians of their right of occupancy without fair equvs
en2 II would that this could be best accomplished
by treaty with Nicaragua Tho whole detail presents
embarrassents which will he annoying without the
sent OF Nicaragua and yet persuaded the British