Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-16

honduras, mad not been exchanged
owing to the hesitation of that govern
ment." Had this been done, il is state,
that "her Majesty's government woul'
have had lille difficulty in agreeing t
the modification proposed by the Senate
which then would have had in fleet tn
same signiicalion as the original word
ing" Whether this would have beel
the effect; whether the mere circum
stance of The exchange OF the ratification
OF the British convention with Hundura
prior in point of time TO the ratification
OF our treaty with Great Britain would
lin effect" have had "ihe same signifi
cation as the original wording" and thu
have nullitied The amendment of tn
Senate, may well be doubted. II is per
haps. fortunate that the question ha
never arisen.
The British government, irnmediatell
after rejecting the treaty as amended
proposed TO enter into a new treaty witt
the United States, similar in all respect
TO the treaty which they had refused t,
ralify, if the United States would con
sent 10 add to the Senate's clear and un
qualified recognition of the sovereignty
OF Honduras over the Bay Islands. Ih,
following conditional stipuIations:-
Whenever and so soon as the republic
OF Honduras shall have concluded anc
ratified treaty with Great Britain, b,
which Great Britain shall have ceded
and the republic of Honduras shall haY,
accepted. the said islands, subject TO The
provisions and conditions contained il
such treaty."
This proposition was of course reiec.
ted. After the Senate had refused q
recognize lhe British convention with
Honduras, of the 9Th August, 1856,
with full knowledge of lis contents, il was
impossible for me, necessarily ignorant
oil 'the provisions and conditions" which
might be contained in future conven
tlou between the same parties, to sane
ton them in advance.
The fact is, that when two nations ike
Great Britain and The United States. mu
tual!y desirous AS they are, and l trust
ever may be, Of maintaining The most
friendly relations with each other, have
unfortunately concluded treaty which
they understand in senses directly oppo-
site, the wisest course is to abrogate such
treaty by mutual consent, and to com
mence anew. Had this been done
promptly. all difficulties in Central Amer,
lea would most probably ere this have
been adjusted TO the satisfacti ton of both
parties.
The time spe nj in discussing the mean
ing OF the Clayton and Bulwer treaty,
would have been devoted to this praise
worthy purpose, and the task would have
been the more easily accomplished, be
cause the interest of the two countries
IN Central America is identical, being
confined TO securing safe lransits over
all the routes across the Islhmus.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments, |
shall nevertheless not refuse 10 contrib
ule to any reasonable adjustment Of the
Central American question. which is not
practically Inconsistent with the Ameri.
can Interpretation of the treaty. Over
lures for this purpose have been recent
y made by the British government in
friendly spirit. which L cordially recipro-
cate; hut whether this renewed effort
will result in success, | AN not yet pre-
pared to express an opinion 4 bIiei
period will determine
With France our ancient relations of
friendship sill continue 10 exist. The
french government have 10 several re-
cent instances, which need not be enum
rated, e.vinced spirit of good will and
'Indness toward our country which |
heartily reciprocate. 1t is, notwiihs!and-
ng 10 be egretted, that two nations
hose productions are of such character
IS 10 invite the most extensive exchanges
md freest commercial Intercourse, should
ontinue 10 enforce ancient and chsolu;e
eslrictions of trade against each other
)ur commercial treaty with France is in
his respect an exception from our trea-
les with all other commercial nations
[ jealously le,ies discriminating duties
10Th on tonnage and on articles, the /
'rowth. produce. or manufacture of the |
ne country, when arriving in vessels i
eionging TO the other.
More than forty years ago, on the 80 4
{ March, 1915, Congress passed an act
ffering to all nations TO admit their yes
els laden with their national productions
Ito the ports of the United States upon
ie same terms with our own vessels,
rovided 4ey would reciprocate to US
miiar advantages. The act confined
he reciprocity to the productions of the
espective foreign nations who NIGH. en-
II into the proposed arrangement with
lie United States. The act of May "a,
82S, removed this restriction, and or
cred similar reciprocity to al such
essels without reference to tue origin OF
leir cargoes. Upon these principles,
lr commercial treaties aud arrange
ents have been founded. except with
rance; and let US hope that this excep-
on may not long exist.
Oui iOidt'OES WIN 1huS>iA IcIIdilg dS
ey have been. on the most friendly
oting. The present Emperor, as well
} his predecessors, have never failed,
hen the occasion offered, TO manifest
eir good will to our country; and their
iendship has always been highly ap.
'eciated by the government: and people
the United States. l
With all other European governments. :
,cept that of Spain. our relations are as
'aceful as we could desire. / regret to
y that no progress whatever has been |
ade since the adjournment of Congress
ward the settleme Mt of any of the nGm
Gus claims of our citizens against the
,anish government. Besides the out 1
ge connected on our flag by the Span &
war frigate Ferrolana, on the high c
as, off the coast Of Cuba, in March, {
55. by firing into the American Mail {