Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-07
foreign snttIIiaenls.
We make the following extracts from our
foreign files by the Arabia;
From The London Times.

foreign files by the Arabia:
From The London Times
America and England.
President Pierce's message to Congress pos
sesses unusual interest from the asperity which
has recently crept into the diplomatic cores
pondence between the British and American
governments 1t is pleasant to observe that
the President does not adopt the violent Ian.
guage of his Attorney General, but speaks in
tone better suited TO the Chief Magistrate OF
great people. He evinces no inordinate de-
sire to magnify trifes, to stimulate prejudices
or embitter quarrels, although, to our mind, he
gives exaggerated Importance to the matter in
difference between his Government and our
own. 1t is evident, however, that he INDUCES
no design of plunging his country into war,
although he entertans no warm affection for
Great Britain. The principal matter Of dis
pute between the two Governments is the Cen
trail American question, and the Interpretation
commonly known as the Bulwer treaty.
The Government of the United States con-
tend that the stipulation that neither will
ever occupy or fortify, or colonize, or assume,
or exercise any dominion over Nicaragua,
Costa Rca, the Mosquito Coast, or any part of
Central America" takes effect retrospectively
as well as prospectvely, and that Great Britain
is bound to withdraw from her settlements in
Central America The British Government
maintain that the operation of the convention
is prospectively only, and refuse to abandon
the possessions held by Englond in Central
America when the treaty was concluded. Presi
dent Pierce adheres to the American inteIpre-
tation, and declares that the Government is
resolved to insist on the rights of the United
States but he adds "Actuated also by the
d.. IL, .I ,e h,,fh he t,oh
Government to remove all causes of serious
misunderstanding between nations associated
by so many ties Of interest and kindred, it has
appeared to me proper not to consider an ami
cable solution of the controversy hopeless"
He leaves the question to the diplomatists,
hoping, perhaps, that it will one day settle
itself, or that it may receive an early solution
from General Walker. 1t must be the desire
of the civilized world to secure the neutrality
of the narrow strip over which passes the
modern highway between the Atlantic and the
Pacific, and England and the United States
have common interest in that quarter.
Nothing could be more foolish than
about settlements which few Engishmen ever
heard of and about local interests of which
the people of this country know little and care
less. conciliatory spirit on both sides cannot
fail to bring about an accommodation Of this
Government will make every concession that
can be yielded without sacrifice of honor
The recruitment question also remains open.
The President takes unnecessary pains to de.
monsrate that the municipal law of the United
States prohibits the enlistment of American
citizens for the armies of the foreign powers
and he alleges the completely of the British
government with certain of their agents whom
he charges with "defying the laws, throwing
suspicion on The neutrality and disregarding
the territorial rights" Of the Union. In con-
clusion, he says he has presented the case to
the British government in order to secure "not
only cessation of the wrong, but its repara
ton" Now the cessation took place long ago,
and il cannot be said that single person was
enlisted IN the United States for the British ser
vice. 1t was never intended to open offices or
depots for recruiting whiting the boundaries of
the Union, and the only thing done was 10 es-
tablish places within the British possessions,
where persons DESTROYS of eulisting might ap-
ply. No doubt it was expected that some ofthe
unquiet spirits in the States, native or foreign,
might be induced to seek excitement fortune or
glory in the Crmea but the moment it was
discovered that our recruiting stations gave
umbrage to the American government they
were broken up and the entire design was
abandoned. The British government have, we
believe, admitted their error, and rendered an
apology. This seems insufficient to satisfy
American sensitiveness, for the President says
"the subject is still under discussion" We
are at n loss TO conceive what more can be re-
CURED of us, or what PREPARATION" can possibly
be made or expected. If President Pierce ex.
poets that the British government or people
will submit to humiliation, he will be disap.
pointed. There has been no mischief done
L f. 81
we are sorry that we have unintentionally given
offence. We can do no more, and we must take
the consequences II our irascible cousins on the
other side Of the Atlantic are predetermined
not to be satisfied with the utmost reparation
we can offer without loss Of selfrespect
The causes of quarrel are truly insignificant
in comparison with the intimate relations and
mutual interests which bind together two
nations having common origin and speaking
the same tongue. In this country neither envy
nor jealousy are felt towards the United States.
We entertain feelings Of warm friendship,
mingled with pride, for the powerful and
industrious nation that may be said to have
grown out of our island. We may occasionally
laugh at the foibles of our translantic cousins
or censure some Of their peculiar institutions
but we are not more sparing Of blame and
ridicule at home. We feel persuaded that the
sentiments Of the English people are responded
to by the great mass Of American citizens,
notwithstanding the incendiary illusions of
some of their newspapers. A war between the
two countries would be so foolish and so
criminal that we cannot believein its possibility.
Still we are conscious Of The mischief of keep
ing open small sources Of irritation, which are
capable OF spreading into broad surface OF
quarrel. International disputes are sure, sooner
or later, to involve the point of honor, perhaps
on both sides, and to precipitate the disputants
into war, without their really knowing what
they are about to fight for. Most wars have
had their origin in trihing or obscure causes.
The contest that now shakes Europe from end
to end began between a few monks, who
squabbled for the custody of the keys of a
church. The Central American settlement, or
the intensity Of apology required for the attempt
at British recruitment in the United States,
have scarcely more importance.
Should the intemperance of eithor govern
ment, or Of both, lead to hostiltes, the origin