The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-12-18


all future time" these s.ipulations 10 the pre-
judice Of Honduras. Being in direct opposi-
ton to the spiri. and meaning Of the Clayton
and Bulwer treaty as understood in the Unit
ed States, the Senate rejected the entire
clause, and substituted In Its stead simple
recognition of the sovereign right of Hondu.
ras TO these islands in the following language:
"The two contracting parties do hereby mu.
tually engage to recognise aud respect the
islands Of Rnnian, Bonaco, Ulila, Barbaretta,
Helena, and Morat, situate in the Bay Of
Honduras, and of the coast Of the Republic
Of Honduras, MS under the sovereignty and rs
part Of the said Republic of Honduras"
Great Britain rejected this amendment, as
signing as the only reason that the ralifca-
lions Of the convention Of the 9th August,
1856, between her and Honduras, had not
been exchanged, owing to the hesitation Of
that Government" Had this been done, 1t
is stated that aher Nisjesly's Government
would have had little difficulty in agreeing to
the modification proposed by the Senate,
which then would have had in effect the same
Specification rs the original wording
Whether this would have had tho effect
whether the mere circumstance of the ex-
change Of the ratitications of the British con-
ven,ion with Honduras, prior in point Of time
to the ratification Of our treaty with Great
Britain, would, ain effect" have had "the
same Specification as the original wording"
and thus have nulihed the amendment of the
Senate, may well be doubted. 1t is, perhaps,
fortunate that tho question has never
arisen.
The British Government, Immediately after
H.. Al
enter into 4 new treaty with The United
which they had just refused to ratify, if the
United States would consent to add 10 the
Scnate's clear aud unqualified recognition of
the sovereignty OF Honduras over the Bay
Islands the following conditional stipulation:
"Wheneyer and so soon as the Republic of
Honduras shall have concluded and ratified a
treaty with Great Britain, by which Great
Britain shall have ccded, and the Republic of
Honduras shall have accepted, the said is
lands, subject to the provisions and condi-
tons contained in such treaty."
This proposition was, of courc, rejected.
After the Senate had refused TO recognise the
British convention with Honduras of the
9th August, 1856, with full knowledge Of
its contents, it was impossible for me, neces-
sarily ignorant of"the provisions and condi-
lions" which might be contained in future
convention between the same parties, to sane
ton them in advance.
The fact is that when two nations like
Great Britain and the United States, mutually
DESTROYS. as they are, and trust ever may be,
of maintaining the most friendly relations
with each o,hc., have unfortunately conclud
cd treaty which they understand in senses
directly opposite, the wsest course is to alb
rogate such treaty by mutual consent, and
10 commence anew. Had this been done
promptly nil difficulties in Central America
would most probably ere this have been nd-
justed to the satisfaction of both parties.-
The time spen. in discussing the meaning Of
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty would have
been devoted to this praiseworthy purpose,
ind the task would have been the more easily
accomplished because the interest of the two
countries in Central America is identical, be-
ing confined TO securing safe transits over all
the routes across the isthmus.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments, |
shall nevertheless not refuse TO contribute TO
any reasonable adjustment of the Central
American questions which is not practically
Inconsistent with the American Interpretation
W VIC ticu.is OhtTtuTtS LOT lHlS purpose
have been recently made by the British Gov
eminent in n friendly spirit, which cordially
reciprocate; but whether this renewed effort
will result in success am not yet prepared
to express an opinion. a briel period will
determine.
With France our ancient RELATIONSHIP friend
ship still continue to exist. The French Gov
eminent have in several recent instances,
which need not be enumerated, evinced II
spirit of good will and kindness towards our
country which heartily reciprocate. 1t is,
Notwithstanding, much to be regretted that
two nations whose productions are Of such u
character as to invite the most extensive ex-
changes and freest commercial intercc urse
should continue to enforce ancient and obso-
lete restrictions Of trade against each other
Our commercial treaty with France is in this
respect an exception from our treaties with all
other commercial nations. 1t jealously levies
discriminating duties both on tonnage and on
articles the growth, produce. or manufacture
of the one country, when arriving in vessels
belonging TO the other.
More than forty years ago, on the Bird Of
March, 1915, Congress passed an act offering
to oil nations to admit their vessels laden
with their national productions into the ports
of the United Stntes upon the same terms
with our own vessels, provided they would
reciprocate to us similar advantages. This
net confined the reciprocity to the produc-
tons of the respective foreign nations who
might enter into the proposed arrangement
with the United States. The net of May 81,
1928, removed this restriction, and offered n
similar reciprocity to all such vessels without
reference TO the origin of their cargoes. Upon
these principles our commercial treaties and
arrangements have been founded, except with
France; and let us hope that this exception
may not long exist.
Our relations with Russia remain, MS they
have ever been, on the most friendly footing.
The present Emperor, as well as his prede-
cessors, have never failed when the occasion
offered, to manifest their good will to our
country; and their friendship has always been
highly appreciated by the Government and
people of the United States.
With all other European Governments, ex.
cept that of Spain, our relations are as peace
full as we could desire. regret to say that
no progress whatever has been made since
the adjournment of Congress toward the set
Element of any of the numerous claims OF our
citizens against the Spanish Government -
Besides, the outrage committed on our flag
by the Spanish war,frigate Ferrolana on the
high sens, off the coast Of Cuba, in March,
1855, by firing into tho American mail steam.
er FL Dorado, and OBTAINING and searching
her, remains acknowledged and unredress.
ed. The general tone and temper Of the
Spanish Government towards that Of the
United States nre much to be regretted. Our
present Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary to Madrid has asked to be
recalled; and il is my purpose TO send out a