Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-06
The limited States and Central America
Highly Important statement of Lord
PalmerstOn,


Highly Important statement of Lord
PalmerstOn.
in the House of Commons, on the evening Of the
18TH ult, Mr.. VIVID asked whether the Government
10 consequence Of the expedition now fitting out in
the ports of the United States, the destination of
which was said to be the coast of Central America
and the territories of New Granada, had any inten.
ton of ststoning a naval force upon those shores
for the protection OF British interests?
Lord Palmerston In reply to the question of
my honorable friend, have to state that the Gov
eminent have stationed or are about to station on
the coasts Of America, on both Hides naval forces
which they think sufficient for the protection Of
British interests; but, considering the Interest,"
may say the anxiety which has been excited in
the pu' lie mind by the rum0r5 to which the hon.
orable gentleman has referred, it would be more
agreeable probably to the House that l should
give short explanation Of this question and its
present position. (ExcamatiOns Of hear, hear)
The House Is aware that some months ego there
occurred a very deplorable scene of violence and
outrage at the Isthmus of Panama; that quarrel
began-nobody well knows how, some people say
that 1t was simple dispute between passenger
and q native about a water melon but at all
events, il acted Ike a spark thrown upon a smoul-
dering fire, which burst out into a fame, and the
reciprocal dislike viii had been long growing
up led TO acts Of gr at violence and scenes Of blood
shed which every body must deeply deplore. The
United States Government applied for redress for
the past and security for the future but am sorry
say that the Government Of New GrdnOda, Ubich
as not particularly celebrated for accurate rtcOLLec
ttons Of duties performance of obligations, re
fused compliance uih those demands. Thence arose
negotiations and communications between the Uni
ted States and New Granada Governments, which
have not yet led to any satisfactory termination.
1t is quite clear think, that that which is true in
regard 10 private property is true also in regard to
a GOvernment-that it has its duti as well as its
rights; and the Government of New Granada is
bound TO provide for security Of persons and prop
erty passing along the railway through its domiu-
ions. Tie grouse which 1t gaze for refusing COM
pensation TO those who suffered by these e1cesSeS
tUds think, TO a certlin degree ats cOndenl'td-
ton, because 1t alleged that the high-handed pro-
ceedngs of the passengers for long time before
had created great evaporation, and it therefore
was not wonderful that slight cause should produce
very considerable results. Now, must think that
il they knew that this great evaporation existed it
was their duty TO take measures to prevent the
commission Of outrages either by foreigners upon
their own suSj cts, or by their sui jectH upon
foreigners. We have been in communication with
the U. SIS Government upon this matter-a matter
which evidently concerns not merely the interests
of the citizens of the United States, but also those
OF all other nations whose people are in the habit
of traVersiog this Isthmus. / am happy to say
that tie United States Government profess the most
just aud honorable Intentions They disclam any
desire to occupy or take possession of any portion
Of the territory of New Granada, of the railway.
That which they naturally entitled to expect s
security for their citizens in passing and repassing
the isthmus by railway; and they naturally also re-
Quire some redress for the injuries which were
sustained upon the occasion to which l have re.
ferred. um happy TO say that their requirements
such as UOuld be made By any Government IN a
and fhau ftralv
any intention Of taking advantage Of this quarrel
for the purpose Of putting forward any unjust or
aggressive demands against the Government Of
New Granada. Hear hear.