Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-03-01
CoNGREssIoNAL.

WASHINGTON, Feb. %.
SsxArE-The Chair laid before the Senate
the mcssagefrom the President in response to
the resolution adopted yesterday asto whether
any offer hid been made by Great Britain to ar.
bittate concerning the resolution the CLAYTON
Bulwcr treaty. The message and correspondence
were read.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Marcy in letter dated
Nov 9, 1866, says that Lord Clarendon, had OBJ
served to him that the most serious difficulties
between the two Governments might arise out
of the Central American question.
| Lord Clarendon said that when two govern
ments disagreed about the construction of a
treaty. the best and most natural mode was to
refer the question to third power At an early
period of negotiation Lord Clarendon made this
suggestion. But Mr.. Buchanan jocuIarly RI,
| piled that the Emperor of Russia was the only
power sufficiently independent to act as an i'm
partial umpire in the case and England has gone
to war with him. ia
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Marcy, Nov, 81, writes
similar to the above, adding, | urged ON Lord
Clarendon as strongly as could, the reasons
which thought ought to induce the British
Government to rclinquish their claim to Bay
Island and Honduras
Lord Clarendon replied that these Islands
have not the least value to Great Britain, and
the only question with them was, whether the
national honor did not forbid this course.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Marcy, Nov. 90, saws,
had an interview, yesterday, with Lord Claren-
don, by appointment, he said the best mode to
settle tho question, was by arbitration. II res
piled there was nothing to arbitrate He said
the true construction of the treaty was a proper
subject for arbitration. told him l did not
consider it question for construction at all, the
language was plain and explicit and thought
this would be the almost unanimous opinion of
the American people, but that in writing to you
should mention what he had now said, as had
done what he had said at our first interview
A letter from Mr.. Buchanan to Mr. Marcy,
dated Feb. 5th says, ere this can reach Wash
ington, you will have read the speeches of Lord
Derby and Clarendon in the House of Lords, on
Thursday evening, which will speak for them
selves. Lord Clarendon says in relation to Cen
trail American affairs, in such case, correspon
dence was useless, and lost no time in offering
to refer the whole question to the arbitration of
any third power both sides agreeing to be bound
by the decision. That offer has not been ac-
cepted, and hope upon further consideration
the Government of the United States will agree
toit "
Mr.. Buchanan resumes, it is therefore proper
to state, as matter of fact, that have reported
to you in the most faithful manner, every CON
yerSatiOn which has passed between Lord Clar-
endon and mysSlf upon this subject, ofreferring
THESE questions 10 lr1enCIy power. nave
never learned that the British Government had
made any such offer to the Government of the
United States, through Mr.. Champion. His
Lordship must have referred to the general con-
nersatiOn between him and myself which would
by no means justify the broad terms of his
statement.
Mr.. Buchanan to Mr.. Marcy, extract Lcga-
ton of the U. S.
London, Feb. 8, 1856.-Sir-On Wednesday
last, the 9th inst, had an interview with Lord
Clarcndcn!'at the foreign Office l told him
desired to ascertain whether the statement he
made in the House of Lords on the evenining of
the 31st ult., that the British Government had
made to the American Government an offer
which has been recently renewed, to arbitrate
the Central American question, was founded on
what had passed between him and myself in
conversation, or whether he had instructed Mr.
Champion tomake to you in writing formal
proposal of arbitration. He explained that his
statement was founded on our different CONVEX
satiOns, and that in these he had several times
proposed to me the reference Of these questions
to arbitration, and he expressed the hope that |
had communicated his proposition to my Gov
eminent. Informed him that had faithfully
reported to you all the conversations we had
held with reference to all arbitration.
| debate ensued which was participated in
| by Seward, Pearcc, Mason and Stuart, when on
motion the Senate adjourned till Monday.