Weekly flag of the Union. (Jackson, Miss.) 185?-18??, 1856-01-16


500. NO. z.
all obligations, it in 4 great measure releases
Great Britain from those which constituted
the consideration Of this government for en-
tering into convention. 1t is impossible, in
my Judgment, for the United States to ac-
quiesee in such q construction Of the respec-
tive relations Of the two governments to Gem
trail America
10 q renewed call by this government upon
Great britain. to abide by and carry into
effect the stipulati0ns Of the convention ac-
eording to its obvious import, BY withdrawing |
from the possession or colonization of portions
of the Central American States Of Honduras
Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the British go |
has at length replied, affirming that
lie operation Of the treaty is prospective
only, and did not require Great Britain to
sbandon or contract arr possessions held by,l
ues = tss sIafn III is - sluson.
..l.st j isslle. u {
Be of the gAnofaIi I enc - = sl.s
nsted States H. Britisl. a vsTnInenf
posses over the question Of the rights Of Great
Britain, real or supposed. in Central Ameri-
ca, and assumes that she had such rights at the
date of the treaty, and that those rights COM
pretended the protectorship of the Mosquito
Indians, the extended jurisdiction and limits
Of the Balize. and the colony Of the Bay
Islands, and thereupon proceeds, By implica-
tlon, to infer that. if the stipulations Of the
treaty be merely future II effect. Great
Britain may still continue to hold the con-
tested portion Of Central America. The
Tinted States cannot admit either the infer
eIlce or the premises, We steadily deny that
at the date Of the treaty Great Britain had
any possession there, other than the limited
and peculiar establishment at the Bal:ze, and
maintain that, if she had any, they were sur
rendered BY the convention.
This government recognizing the obliga-
tlons of this 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. independently
Of the treats,s IN consideration Of our geo
graphical position and of other circumstances,
which createsfor us relations to the Central
American States, different from those of any
government of Europe.
he British government, IN its last COM
municatietl, although well knowing the views
Of the United States. still declares that it sees
no reason why eonoiliatory spirit may not
enable the two governments to overcome ali /
obstacles to . satisfactory adjustment Of the |
stllssct.
Assured ofsthe correctness 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 actuated hy I
the same desire which is ayowed by the |
British government, and to remove all causes
Of serious misunderstanding between the two /
nations associated by so many ties of interest
aud kindred It has appeared to me proper
~ outsider an aniicable solution Of the +
eo,trogs,,ss sless,
There S howes easons g apprehend
that, With GFeat Britain ia - actual oecu-
patton of tka disputed icrritoIiss, - the
treaty therefore practically null. 50 far as ~
card oiIf igBts, this international df1lcplty
cannot lang remain Undetermined, without in
yolying b serious danger the friendly rela-
tions, which it is the interest as well as the
duty of both countries to cherish and pre-
serve. 1t will afford me sincere qualification,
if future efforts should result in the success
heretofore, with more confidence
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 exigencies OF
the war in which she is engaged with Russia
induced her TO make, to draw recruits from
the United States.
Il is the traditional and settled policy of
the United States tomaintain impartial neu-
trality during the wars, which from time to
time occur among the great powers of the I
world Performing all the duties of neutra-
lity toward the respective belligerent States,
We may reasonably expect them not to inter
fere with our lawful enjoyment Of its benefits
Notwithstanding the existence of such hostili- I
ties, our citizens retain the individual right to I
continue all their accustomed pursuits, by t
land or by sea, at home or abroad, subject i
only to such restrictions in this relation as the /
laws of war, the usages of nations, or special I
treaties, may impose and it is our sovereign /
right that our territory and jurisdiction shall I
not be invaded by either of the belligerent /
parties for the transit of their armies, the /
operations of their fleets, the levy of troops
for their service, the fitting out of cruisers, /
dent war. And these undeniable rights Of
individual and national, the United /
States viii under no circumstances surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws oi the |
United States do not forbid their citizens to
sell to either Of the beligerent powers, articles
Of war, or to take munitions of /
or soldiers ON board their private ships for |
and although, in 50 doing, the |
indivinual citizen exposes bis sproperty or per-
sons 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 present war in Europe, our I
citizens have without national responsibility,
therefore, sold g1npowdcr and arms to all buy /
ers, regardless of the destination of these ar
ticlcs. Our merchantmen have been, and
still continue to be largely employed by Great
Britain and BY France, in Transporting troops, /
provisions and munitions of war to the princi- |
pal seat Of military operations. and in bring /
Ing home their sick and wounded soldiers but
such use Of our mercantile marine is not In /
.erdieted either By the international, or by
BUR municipal law, and therefore does not /
our neutral relations with Russia.
But our municipal laws. il accordance with
The laws Of nations, peremtorially forbid, not I
pnly foreigners, but our citizens to ft out,
within the limits Of the United States. yes
lei to commit hostility against any State with
which the United States are at peace. or 70 IN