Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-12-17


contradictory constructions upon its first
and now important article. Whilst in
the United States vs. bslisye that this
treaty would place both powers upon an
exact equal ty the stipulation that nei.
lher will ever occupy, or fortify, or coll
onizs, or assume, or exercise any do
miniOa' over any part Of Central Amer.
lea, it is eOnteaded by the British gov
ernmont that the true construction Of
this language has left them in rightful
possession Of oil that portion Of Central
America which was in their occupancy
at the recognition OF the treaty; in fact
that the treaty iiA virtual recognition
on the part Of the United States on the
right Of Great Britain, either as owner
or protector, to the whole extensive coast
of Central America, sweeping around
from the Rio Hondo to the port aud
harbOr of San Juan do Nicaragua; TO-
gether with the adjacent Bay Islands,
except the comparatively small portion
of that between the Sarstoon and Cape
Honduras.
| According to their construction, the
ueaty does not u ore than simply pro-
hibit thom from extending their posses
sious in Central America, beyond the
present limits. til not too much to
assert, that if in the United States the
treaty had had been considered suscep-
be of such a construction, it never
would have been negotiated under the
authority of the President, nor would
it have received the appreciation OF the
Senate. The universal conviction in the
United States was, that when our gov
ernmept CONSENTED to violate It's tradi-
tiOnal and time hOnored policy, and to
stipulate with foreign government neV.
er to occupy or acquire territory in the
Central American portion of our own
continent, the consideration for this sac
. rifco was that Great Britain should, in
this respect at least, be placed in the
same position with ourselves, Whilst
we have no right to doubt the cincerity
Of the British government in their con
stTuction Of the treaty, it is at the same
time my deliberate conviction that this
construction is in opposition both to its
l6tter and its spirit
Under the late adj inistratiOn negOti>
ations were instituted between the two
r governments for the purpose, if posi-.
BILE. of removing these difficulties; aud a
treaty having this laudable ebj oct in
f view was signed at London on the 18th
October l656, aud was submitted by
! the president to the Senate on the fol,
, lowing 10th of December
; Whether this treaty, either in itS
/ original or amended form, would have
+. accomplished tho object intended with,
{ out giving birth TO new aud embarrassed
, complications between the two govern
/ ment8, may perhaps be wsIl questioned.
{ Certain it is, however, it was rendered
! much less Objectionable by tho different
/ amendments made to it by the Senate
3 The treaty, as amended, was ratified By
me on tho 18th of March, 1857, and
/ was translated to London for satisfica
o tion by the British government.
Q That Government expressed its will
lingness to concur in all the amendments
n made by the senate with tho single ex.
9 ceptioa Of the cauqe rotating to Rutar
IS and the other islands in the Bay of Hon
q dura5. TIE article in the original trea
!. ty, as submitted to the Senate, after ro
( citing that these islands and their inhal
); itants 'having been by q convention
i bearing date the 9th Of August, 1851
O between her Britannia Majesty and tht
q Republic Of Honduras, constituted ant
. declared a free territory under the soy
i, erei gnty of the said Republic Of Hondu
:. ras,' stipulated that the, two contract
v ing par,irs do hereby mutually engag
: to recognize end respect in all futur
!. time the independence and right of til
s said free territory aaa part Of the Re
!. public of Honiuras.'
Is Upon an examination of this convsn
tion between Great Britain and Hondu
n ras, of the 9th of August, 1856, it wa
W found that, while declaring the Ba
70 islands to be free territory undor tn
7 sovereignty Of the Republic of Hondr
10 ras,' it doprivoi that Republic of right
10 without which its sovereignty oyer thol
- could scarcely be said to exist. It div
70 ded them from the remainder of Hon
.. duras, aud gave to their inhabitants
p. separate government of their own, wit
IS legislative, executive and juditial officer
q elected by themselves, 1t deprived th
government of Honduras of the taxin
:. power in every form, and exempted til
Il people OF the island from tho perform
" ance of military duty, epcept for thei
Il own exclusive defence. 1t also prohib
70 tied that republic from erecting fortifca
10 tions upon them TO- their protection
# thus leaving them open to invasion fror
Ia any quarter, and finally, it provides "tha
;. slavery shall not at any time hereafte
,e DO permitted to exist therein
/. Had Honduras ratified this conven
tion, she would have ratified tho cstab
re lishmenL of state substantially indt
Il pendent within her own limits. and
as state at all times subject to British in
d fuonce and control. Moreover, had th
"a United States ratified the treaty wit
"a Great Britain in its original form, W
70 should have beon bound 'to rccogniz
or and respect in all future tine,' IhcG
10 stipulations, to tho prejudice of H9ndr
ID ras. Being in direct opposition to til
y spirit aad moaning of the OlaYto