The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-11
LOUIS 0. COWAN, Editor and Proprietor.

in ascribing 10 the convention, cntirel,
changes it, character. While il holds Us 4
all our obligations, il in great measure
|. releases Great Britain from those which con
} stituted the consideration of this government
for entering into the convention. Ii is i'm
possible, in my judgement for the UniteC
States to acquicsce in such construction o
the respective relations of the two govern
mcnts TO Central America.
To renewed call by this government on
Great Britain, to abide by, and carry into
effect, the stipulations of the convention ac'
coriing TO It's obvious import, by withdraw'
ing from the possession or colonization oI
portions of the Central American States o
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the
British government has at length replied,
affirming that the operation of the treaty il
prospective only, and did not require Great
Britain % abandon or contract any posses
sions held by her in Central America at the
date of it, conclusion.
This reply substitutes partial iSscu, 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
I America, and assumes that she had such
rights at the date of the treaty, and that
those rights comprehendcd the Protector
ship Of the Mosquito Indians, the extended
jurisdiction and limits of the Bllizc, and the
colony Of the Bay Islands, and thereupon
proceeds by implication to infer, that, if the
stipulations of the treaty DO 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, mt the date Of the treaty,
Great Britain had any possessions there,
other than the limited and peculiar establish
ment at the Balize, and maintain that, II
she had any, they were surrendered by the
convention.
This government, recognizing the obliga-
| ton 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, in
depcndcntly of the treaty, in consideration
of our geographical position, and of other
circumstances, which create for us relations
to the Central American States, different
from those of any government of Europe.
The British Government, in its last COM
municatiOn, although well knowing the
views of the United States, still declares that
il secs no reason why conciliatory spirit
nav not enable the two governments to
overcome all Obstacles TO satisfactory ad.
justmcnt of the subject.
Assured of the cOrrectncssO of the construc-
ton Of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government, and resolved to insist on
the rights of the United States, yet actuatcd
also by the same desire which is ayowed by
the British Government, To remove all causes
of serious Misunderstanding between the two
nations associated by 80 many ties of interest
and kindred, it has Appeared to me proper
not 20 consider an amicablc solution of the
controversy hopeless.
There il, however, reason 10 apprehend,
that, with Great Britain in the actual Occu-
patton Of the disputed territories, and the
treaty therefore practically null. 50 fur as
regards our rights, this international difficult
ty cannot long remain undetermined, with
out involving in serious danger the friendly
relations which it is the interest rs well us
the duty Of both countries to cherish and
preserve. IL will afford me sincere gratiica-
ton, if future efforts shall result in the sue
ceSs anticipated heretofore with more con-
idencc than the aspect Of the case permits
me now to entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain has
grown out of the attempt, which the exigen-
cies of the war in which she is isengagcd with
Russia induced her 10 make. to draw recruits
from the United States.
IL is the traditional and settled policy OF
the United States 10 maintain impartial
neutrality during the wars which from time
to time occur among the great powers of the
world. Performing all the duties Of ncu-
tnllity towards the respective bclligercnt
States, we NAV reasonably expect them not
to interfere with our lawful enjoyment of its
benefits. Notwithstanding the existence Of
such hOstilities, our citizens, retain the in
dividual right to continue all their accustoni-
cd pursuits, by land or by SEA, nj home or
abroad, subject only to such restrictions in
this relation, US the laws Of war, the usage
of nations, or special treaties, may impose ::
and il is our sovereign right that our terri
tory and jurisdiction shall not be inyadedby
either of the belligcrcnt parties, for the tran
sit of their armies, the operations of their
fleets. the levy Of troops for their service.
the fitting out of cruisers by or against either
or any other act or incident of war. And
these undeniable lights tsOfneutrlity. indiyid-
ual, and national, the Unitcd States will
under no circumstances surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws of
the United States do not forbid their citizens
to sell to either of the bclligcrent powers,
articles contrlband of war, or TO take muni-
tiOns of war or soldiers on board their priv
ate ships for transportation and although,
in 80 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 inn
plicate the Government. Thus, during the
progress of the present war in Europe, our
citizens have, without national responsible
~ therefor, sold gunpowder and arms to all
buyers, regardless Of the destination of those
articles. Our merchantmen have been and
still continue TO be, largely employed by
Great Britain and by France, in transport
ing troops, provisions, and munitions of war
10 the principal seat of military operations,
and in bringing home their sick and wound.
ed soldiers: hut such use Of our mercantile
marine is not in. .crdicted either by the inter
national or by our nj unicipal law, and there
fore does not compromit our neutral rela-
tions with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance
with the law Of nations, prcmptorily ioroids'
not only foreigners, but our own citlzens, to
fit out, within the limits of the United States,
vessel to commit hostilities against any
State with which the United States are at
peace, or to incrnsc the force of any foreign
armed vessel intended for such hostilitics
against friendly State.
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either OF the beiligerent powers lest private
armed cruisers, or other vessels, in the ser
vice of one, might be fitted out in the ports
of this country TO depredate ON the property
of the other, all such faars have proved to be
utterly groundlnss. Our citizens have been
withheld from any such act or purpose by
good Faith, and by respect for the law.
While the laws of the Union are thus per-