The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-01-05

OF The respective re- aliens OF the two govern
mrnts 10 Central America. To a renewed
cal tv this government TO abide by, ard "ar-
nv into eaee. the s:;pu ations Of the Conven-
t'oa according to its obvious import. by with
drawing from the possession or colonization
Of portions of The Central American States
of Honduras. Nicaragua and Costa Rica. tie
British government has. a. length. replied.
affirming taat the op. ration OF the treaty IS
prospective OILY. ard did not require
Urea; Bri'aint, ab,nlol or contract
any Possessions held by her in Central Amer
lea At the date OF its conclusion The reply
substitutes partial issue in The place Of The
general one presented Nv the United S.a.es.
The British Government passes over the
question Of the rights Of Grea: Britain. real
or supposed. in Contra! America, and assumes
that she had rights at the date OF the treaty,
and those rights con?rrhended the protector
ship Of tie Mosquito Imlians. the extended
Inrisd>tn and limits ot the Pacific, and the
Colony of'hr Bav Hands and 'hereuron
proceeds, 10y implication. to infer that If the
s'ipuia!iohs Of the treaty be merely future
in effect, Great Britain may still continue to
hold the contested POI tons Of Central Amer
lea
The United States cannot admit either the
differences or The rremi>es. We steady DE-"
nv that at TIE date OF the treaty Great Brit
ain had any other possessions there than 'l'e
Limited and peculiar establishment at the Be-
lize. ant: maintain that ifshe had any, they
were surrendered by the convention. This
Government, having recognized the on
legations of The treaty. has, O! course, desired
TO see j, executed by both parties; aud in the
discussion. therefore, has not looked to rights
which We may assert independently Of the
treaty. in consideration of our geographical
position. and Of other circumstances which
create toy us relations TO the Central Ame,i-
can States. different from those of anv Gov
! crnncnt Of Europe. The British Govern-
ment in its last communication, although we'll
! knowing the views of the United States. still
declares shat ii sees no reason why roncilis-
tory spirit may not enable the two Govern
ments to overcome the obstacles to satisfac,
tory adjustment Of the subject
Assured Of the correctness Of the construc,
tion of the treaty adhered to by this govern
men'. and resolved to insist on the rights o:
The United States, yet actuatel also bv 'h,.
same desire Which is avOwcd by the British
Government 10 remove all causes of serious
misunderstanding tween two nations associa
/ ted together by SO many ties Of interest and
kindred, it ha, appeared to me proper not TO
consider an amicahlc solution of the contro,
yersv hopeless. There is. however, reason TO
apprrhenl that with Great Britain in the ar
tual occupation Of the disputed territories. TIE
treaty is therefore practically null. 40 FAR as
regards our rights. As this internatio mi
difficulty cannot remain long undetermined
without involving in serious danger the friend
! " relations which it is the interest as we'll a.
tie duty Of both countries TO cherish and PIE
serve. it vii! afford me sincere qualification,
it future efforts shall result in the success an
tiripats'i heretofore with more conflencc
than the aspect Of the case permits lie no.
: TO entertain.
RECRUITMENT, &C.
! One other subject Of discussion between
.he United States and Great Britain has
grown out of the attempt which the exicer-
cies Of the war in which she is engaged with
Russia induced her to draw recruits rom the
United States.
! 1t is the traditional and settled policy Of
the United States to maintain impartial nen-
tralitv during the wars which from time to
time occur among the great powers Of the
world. Performing all the duties of neutral
ity towards the respective bclIiSercnt States.
we NAV reasonably expect them not to inter
fere with our lawful cnjo,ments of ts bene-
fits. Notwithstanding the existence Of such
hostli,ies. our citizens retain the individual
right to continue all their accustomed pur-
suits ty land or by sea. at home or abroad.
subject only to such restrictions in this rrla,
ton as the laws of war. or usages of nations.
or special treaties NAV impose; and il Is our
sovereign right that our territory and luriS
'li'fi" should not he invaded hv either nt
the helliSrrent parties for the transit Of thcir
armies. OF operations of their fleets. the lew
OF troops for their service. the fi'tin. out of
cruisers hv or against either. or ary o'h":
at or incident nt var. And these un,len,a-
bile acts Of neutrality, individual aud nation
al, the Cn,d States will under no circum
stances surrender.
In pursuance Of this policy, the laws 9th"
United States do not forbid their ci,-
zens to sell to either of the h~|licerent pow
ers arti' les contrahand Of war, or to take mu-
nitions of war or soldier, on board their pri
vate ships for transportation. aud although in
so doing the individual citizen exposes his
property or person to some OF the hazards nf
war. his acts do not involve any breach Of
neutrality. nor Of themselves imp!i.'a:e TIE
government. Thus. during the progress Of
the present war in Europe. our citizens have
without national responsibility. 'he rrfnrc sold
gunpow'icr and arms TO all huvrrS, regardless
of the destination Of those articles.
! Our merchants have been and still con,in-
tie to be. largely employed bv Great Br.ai n
and by France. in Transporting troops, pro,is-
ions and munitions of war to The rrincipa.
seat Of military operations. and in bringing
home their si' k and wounded soldiers. But
such use OF our mercantile marine ~ not in
,ntcr'iictrd. either by the international or tv
'ur municipal law. and therefore does not
, conn, '~nmiSc our neutral relations with Russia
E,, our municipal law. in accordance with
the law q, natio"s, peremPtorly iorh"ls not
only tor,i,ncr> but ''ur own citizens. to fit
ont within ,h. l;,u,,> of he United States a
vessel 10 commit ho.iilrl,'s aga'"sfany State
with which the United State, arc x peace:
or 20 increase the force OF anv to.-.,"n a'meh
vessels intended for such ios'ili!ies aga. INST
friendly State
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either OF the beIigerent powers lest private
armed cruisers or other vessels in the service
"tone might be fitted out in the ports OF this
country. TO dtpredate on the property of the
other. ali such fears have proved to be utter
~ groundrss. Our citizens have been with.
held from any such az, or purpose, BY good
faith. and by respect for the law
While the laws OF the Cuion are TINS ner-
enrf"ry in their prohibition Of the equipment
or armament Of h.ilinnrnnf ..ru;sar -; .