The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-05
GREAT BRITAIN AND HONDURAS.

Iuasmuch as Central American affairs are at this moment
occupying much of public attention, and 1t is sup
posed that the treaty between the United States and Great
Britain negotiated London In October is now before
our government for ratification spread before read
ers the following, which copy from the New York
Herald protesting TO be treaty between Great Britain and
Honduras being without interest It understood
that government is not POSSESSION Of official copy
of this Honduras treaty Its accuracy cannot therefore be
vouched for:
Convention bstuOten Great Britain and Honduras relaUe 10
hs Bay Isiaads
Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom OF Great
Britain and Ireland and the republic of Honduras being
DESTROYS to settle in friendly manner certain questions
connected with the territorial limits of the republic have
resolved to conclude convention for that purpose and
have named their plenipotenaries &c, &C. who have
agreed upon and concluded the following articles:
ART. l. Taking into consideration the peculiar topo-
graphical position of Honduras and in order the
neutrality of the islands adjacent thereto with reference
any railway other line of interoceanic communica-
ton which may be constructed across the territories of
Honduras her Britannia Majesty and the republic of Hon
duras agree to constitute and declare tho islands of Roaa
Bonacca Helena, Ula and Barbareta situated in the
bay OF Honduras free territory under the sovereignty of
The present legislative judicial and executive auhori-
ties in said island shall remain in the exercise of their
functions until the Legislative assembly of the said islands
may otherwise provide with however, the following ex
ccptions:
All functions hitherto exercised by the Crown of Great
Britain and by the governor of jamaica in the govern
and Legislature of the said island shall from the
date of the proclamation of this convention therein and
such proclamation shall be made possible after
the exchange OF Publications. re
All functions hitherto exercised by the superintendent of
the British settlements in the Bay of Honduras in the
paciy of acknowledgements Of the said islands, and by
the presiding magistrate therein resident in the
and legislation of the said islands, shall months
after the date above mentioned unless the legislative
bly, shall provide substitutes for the abovemen toned
The inhabitants Of the free territory shall then perma
nenly possess the following rights and immunities:
ls To govern themselves by of their munich
pal government to be administered by legislative
tive and judicial officers Of their own election according to
their own regulations,
3D. Trial by jury in their own courts
3d. Perfect freedom Of religious belief and worship pub
lie and private
4th Exemption from all duties of customs and from all
may be imposed by their municipality and collected
for the treasury of the free territory be applied for the
benefit Of the said free territory.
9Th Exemption from military service except for the de-
fence Of the free territory and within it's bounds.
The replblic OF Honduras engages not to exercise its
rights Of sovereignty the islands which to const
tue such free territory in any manner in violation of the
rights and immunities specified in this article.
The republic ALEC engages not to erect to permit to
be erected any fertilization the said islands any
other islands in the bay of Honduras, to ccde such
islands any of Them the right of sovereignty
such islands any part Of such sovereignty to any nation
or State whatever.
And whereas slavery has not existed in the said islands
the republic Of Honduras hereby engages that slavery shall
not at any time hereafter be permitted TO exist therein
Art IL The contracting parties agree to communicate
the present convention all other maritime powers and
to invite them to accede to it.
Signed in London this -- day Of --, in the year Of
our Lord, 1856 CLARENDON,
HERRAN.