American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-05
Central Amerlcan States, is now pre.ented

'V,e"'PoEeT tue mosquito tribe oil Indians.
But the establishment ut the Balze, now
reaching lar beyond its treaty limits into the
Stale oil 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 there
fore contrary to the very letter as well as
the spirit OF the convention with the United
states, as 1t was ut the time of ratification
ana now Is, understood by this government.
Inc Interpretation which the British 90
Vernment, thus in assertion and act. per-
sists IN ascribing TO the convention, entire
~ changes it's chara cter. While it holds
us to oil obligations, it in q great measure
releases Great Britain from those, which
constituted the consideration Of this gov.
ernment for entering into the convention.
IL Is impossible, in my Judgment for the
united States to acquiesce in such a con-
struction OF the respective relations of the
two governments to Central America.
To renewed call by this government upon
Great Britain, TO abide by, aud carry into effect.
inc supuiations ofthe convention according to its
obvious import; by Withdrawing from the pos
session or coolnizaton OF portions OF the Central
American States of Honduras, Nicaragua. and
Costa i'ica, the British government has at icngth
replied, affirming that the operation that the OPP
Grafton 1.-THE treaty is prospective and did not re-
quire Great Britain to abandon or contract any
possessions held by her in Central America at the
date Gifts conclusions
The reply substitutes q partial issue, in the
place OF the general one presented by the United
states. The British government passes over the
questions or the rights of Great Britain real or
supposed in Central America, and assumes that
she had such rights ut the date of the treaty and
that those rights comprchended the protcctorship
OF the Musquto Indians the extended iurisdicI
ton and limits of the Baiize and the colony of
Islands 1, ~
plicaton to infer, that if the stpulations 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 treaty
Great Britain had any possessions there. other
han the limited and peculiar establishment at the
Eallze, and maintain that, she had any they
were surrendered by the convention
ms government recognizing the obligations
OF the treaty, has of course desired to see il cx-
ccutcd in good faith by by both parties and in
the discussion, therefore, has not looked to rights
which we might assert indepently Of the treaty,
IN consideration ofoh- geographical position and
OF other circumstances, which create for us rela-
uons TO the Central American States, different
from those OF any government of Europe
The British government, and its last commu-
nication, although well knowing the vscws of
the United States, still declares that it sees no
reason why conciiiatory spirit may not enable
the Two governments to overcome all obstacles to
n satisfactory adjustment of the subject.
Assured OF the correctness of the construction
of the treaty constantly adhered to by this gov
eminent, and resolved to insist on the rights
otthe United States, yet actuated also by the same
desire, which is ayowed by the British government
to remove all causes ofserious misund srstanding
between the TWO nations associated by many
ties ofinrrost and kindred, it has appeared to me
proper not TO consider amicablc solution of the
controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend, that
with Great Britain in the actual occupation of the
disputed territories and the treaty therefore prac-
hcaily null, so far as regards rights this inter-
national difficulty cannot longremain unde tcrmn-
cd, without involving in serious danger the friend
lyreiations which il is the interest as we'll as the
duty both countries to cherish and preserve. II
Will afford mo sincere qualification, FIXTURE effort
shall result in the success anticipated here
tofore with more confidence than the as
pect Of the case permits ME now to enter
tain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the United states and Great Britain las
grown out of the attempt which the ext
gcncies 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 United States to maintain i'm partial
neutrality during the wars, which from time
to time occur among the great powers OF
the world Performing all the duties OF
neutrality towards the respective beligcr-
ent states, we may reasonably expect them
not o interfere with our lawful enjoyment
OF its benefits. Notwithstanding the cxis-
lance of soch hostiitics, our citizens re-
tain the individual ri {" t to continue all their
accustomed pursuits by land or by sea, at
home or abroad, subject only to such restric.
tions in this relation, as the laws Of war,
the usage Of nations, or special treaties
may impose: and it is our sovereign RIGHT
that our territory and jurisdiction shall not
be invade by either OF the beligent parties,
for tho trahsit Of their armies, the opera
tons FLEETS, TIE levy OF troops for service,
the fitting out OF cruisers by or against eth
or, or any other act or incident of war
And these undeniaole rights neutrality, in.
dividual or national, the United States will
under 10 circumstances surrender.
In pursuance OF this policy tho laws OF
the United States do not forbid their citi-
zens to sell to either of tho beIigorant pow
ers articles, contraband of war, or TO take
munitions OF war or SO ldiers on board their
private ships for ira nsportation; and al
though, in so doing, the individual citizen
exposes his property or person to some OF
the hazards Of war, his acts do not involve
any breach OF national neutrality nor OF
themselves implicate the government
Thus, during the progress Of the present
war in Europe, our citizens have, without
national responsibility therefor, sold gun
powder and arms to all buyers, regardless OF
the destination fthosc articles. Our mer-
chantmcn have been, and still continue to
be, largely employed by Great Britain and
by France, in transporting troops, provis-
ions, and munitions of war to the principal
seat Of military operations, and in bringing
home their sick and wounded soldiers but
such use Of our mercantile marine is not in
terdictcd either by the international, or by
our municipal law, and therefore does not
compromit our neutral relations with Rus
STA.
But our municipal INV in accordance