The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-22
Tho Rejection of the Treaty.


The well informed and very intelligent
Washington correspondent of the journal of
Commerce., states it is as q matter of SURPRISE
that the British Government, should not see
the Importance of obtaining from the United
State, a recognition which, this treaty afforded
of their title to the Belize; which this Govern
mcnt never intended 10 acknowledges, and
which has been held doubtful, even by British
Statesmen. 1t was the purpose Of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, as the Senate believed, to pro-
vide for the entire abandonment by the British
Government, of any places which she occupied
in Central America. BY m explanatory clause,
British Honduras the Belize was exempted
from the operation of the treaty. Many of the
Senators, declared afterwards, that had they
known Of the reservation, they would not have
given their assent TO The treaty. AS the United
States will soon resume their former position
on the subject that will of course deny to the
British Government, any rights in Honduras.
THUS fruitful subject Of future controversy is
again thrown open.
This Government has declined any further
negotiation at present. it does not propose,
however, rs yet the nbrogatiun of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, but whether the course of
events shall render it necessary to propose its
annulmcnt, or some convention explanatory of
it, yet neither the Executive or the Senate will
be satisfied, with any arrangement respecting
the Bay Islands, short of this absolute relin-
quishment by Great Britain
We commend to the attention of our readers
the following pthy remarks Of the Philadelphia
Lcd:yer, as to our true policy towards England,
and the property of keeping elcnr Of all en-
tangling alliances with foreign powers:
''rhe rcjrctinu Of the Dallas Clarendon trca-
tv, and especially the futile grounds on whicl,
England has thrust it aside, should he lesson
TO to Cnitc,! States to keep clear, for the future,
of any 'cntaugling' treaties with fore; IN pow
crs. The b, st policy for the publ C is To initiate
the present attitude of England aud France
towards each other. Without any written
guarantees, these two nations in the enjoy.
mcmt, Of the most perfect mutual alnity Simply
because each knows that any infringement, by
either on the rights Of the other, will not be
submitted to for mome,;- This who!es"inc
fear, this community Of interest, Is Inv: only
solid ground Oh which nations stand, in
their relations to each other. Treaties become
mere waste paper, the moment this community
OF interest ceases and, while it remains. treat
les are supcrogatory. The entire experience
OF the Cnitcd States i'll its efforts TO arrange,
WIFI I,nSland, Central American AFFAIRS, by
treaty, demonstrates the truth Of this position.
1t would have been better for this republic, ut
least, if neither the Clayton -Bulwcr treaty, nor
any of its Successors. had ever been iuuugura-
ted.
"Whatcvcr were the motives of Lord Pal.
mcrston i'll refusing I" approve of the treaty,
the fact may bc used TO our advantage, and
the refusal of the President tn entertain the
proposition for renewal Of negotiations, will
meet the approval Of every sensible and pntri-
otic citizen. The clear policy Of this Republic
Is to nbrogate the Clayton Bulwer treaty; to he
unfettered in our relations in Central America
by treaty stipulatons with European powers,
and SO be able to protect our own interest, at
all times, at n moments notice. 1t is beneath
the United States to he engaged in this paltry
game of double-shuflc with Lord Palmerston.
Let him go his way and let us take ours.
American diplomatsts are not political and pro-
tessional judges, 20 take delight in successful
trickcry."