The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-01-04

states, is now presented by her as the Mos
quito tribe of Indians.
But the establishment at the Balize, now
reaching 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 we'll as to the spirit of con-
yention with the United States, as it was at the
time of ratification, and now, is understood by
this government
The Interpretation which the British govern
ment, thus in assertion and act, persists in
ascribing to the convention, entirely changes
Its character. While it holds US to all our
obligations, it in a great measure releases
Great Britain from those, which constituted
the consideration of this Government for en-
tering into the CONVENTION. 1t is impossible
in my judgment, for the United States to ac-
Iquiesce in such construction of the respec-
i tive relations of the two Governments to Cen
trail America.
To renewed call by this government upon
Great Britain. to abide by, and carry into ef-
feet the stipulatioBs of the convention accord
ing 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 govern
ment 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 Gen.
tral America at the date of its conclusion
The reply substitutes partial issue, in the
place Of the general one presented by the
| United States. The British government
passes over the question. of the rights of Great
Britain real or supposed, in Central Emerieag
and assumes that she had such rights at the
date of the treaty, and that these rights COM
pretended the protectorship of the Mosquito
l Indians, the extended jurisdiction and limits
| of the Balize, and the colony of the Bay Is
lands, and thereupon proceeds by implication
to infer, that if the stipulation of the treaty
4 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
treaty, Great Britain had any possessions
There, other than the limited and peculiar es-
tablishment at the Balize, and maintain that,
1 she had any, they were surrendered by the
convention.
This government recognizing the obligations
of the treaty, has of course desired to see it
executed in good faith by both parties, and in
| the discussion, therefore, has not looked to
rights which we might assert, Independently
of the treaty, in consideration of our geograph-
Icreate for us relations to the Central Ameri-
lean States, different from those of any govern
Iment of Europe.
i The British government, in its last commu-
lnication, although well knowing the Tiews Of
1.-THE United States still declares that it sees nc
treason why a conciliatory spirit may not en-
flable the two governments to overcome All OBJ
lstacles to satisfactory adjustment Of the sub
Eect l.3....'... -e, s. f..q..s.
i Assured of the correctness of the ,construc-
ftion of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government, and resolved to insist on the
flrights of the United States, yet actuated also
{by the same desire, which is ayowed by the
british government, to remove all causes of Sc
lrious misunderstanding between two nations
associated by so many ties of interest and
kindred, it has appeared to me proper: not to
lconsider an amicable solution of the controver
ylsy hopeless. la.ies Il
l There is, however, reason to apprefIend,
|, that, with Great Britain in actual occupation
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
lis the interest as well as the duty of both
countries to cherish and preserve. 1t will af-
: ford me sincere qualification, if future efforts
fore with more confidence tban the aspect Of
the case permits me now to entertain. %
, sel 1ae. RECRUITMENT. zfa ta
t One other subject of discussion between the
: limited States and Great Britain has grown out
of the attempt, which the exigencies of the
? war in which she is engaged with Russia in
: duced her to make, to draw recruits from the
g United States. 7'g 5f.
4 tits the traditional and settled policy of the
: United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars, which from time to time oc
n cur among the great powers of the world. Per-
: forming all the dnties of neutrality towards
: the respective belligerent States we may
: reasonably expect them not to interfere with
our lawful enjoyment of its benefits. Not
n wthstandirig the existence of such hostilities,
: -lour citizens retain the individual rights to
e lcontinue all their accustomed pursuits, by
: land or nv sea. at home or abroad, subject
onv to such restrictions in this relation, as the
ellasrs of war, the usage of nations, or special
IS treaties may impose; and it is our sovereign
It right that our territory and jurisdiction shall
mot be invaded by either of the belligerent par
,f ties for the transit of their armies the opera
: tions of their fleets, the levy of troops for their
service the fitting out of cruisers by or against
1 either, or any other act incident of war. And
4 these undeniable rights of neutrality individ-
# luaT and national, the United States will under
t no circumstances surrender. r,
n In pursuance of this policy, the laws of the
l. United States do not forbid their citizens to
sell to either of the belligerent powers articles
Q contraband of war, or to take munitions of
. war or soldiers on board their private ships for
eI transnartation. and although in so doing, the