Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-12-19


elusive defence. 1t also prohibited that
republic from erecting Notifications upon
them for their protection-thus leaving
them open to invasion from any quarter
and, finally, it provided "that slavery shall
not at any time hereafter be permitted to
exist therein"
Had Honduras ratified this convention,
she would have ratified the establishment of
a State substantially independent within
her own limits, and State at all times
subject to British influence and control.
Moreover, had the United States ratified
the treaty with Great Britain in its original
form we should have been bound {" to re-
cogniso and respect in all future time" these
stipulations to the prejudice Of Honduras.
Being in direct opposition to the spirit and
meaning of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty
as understood in the United States, the
Senate rejected the entire clause, and sub |
stituted in its stead simple recognition Of
the sovereign right of Honduras to these
islands in the following language: "Ihe
two contracting parties do hereby mutually
engage to recognize and respect the islands
of Ruatan, Bonaco, Utila, Rarbcrctta,
Helena and Morat, situate in the Bay of
Honduras, and of the coast Of the republic
of Honduras, as under the sovereignty
and as part of the republic of Honduras" ."
Great Britain rejected this amendment,
assigning as the only reason, that the rati,
fcations of the convention Of the 9th Of
Auoust. 1866, between ner ana honduras,
had not been "exchanged, owing to the
hei alton of The government" Had this
been done, it is stated that cher Majesty's
government would have had little difficulty
in agreeing 10 the modification proposep
by tho Senate, which then would have had
in effect the same Specification as the origi
nal wording" Whether this would have
been the effect; whether the more circum-
stance of the exchange of the ratifcations
of the British convenio ion with Honduras
prior in point of time to the ratification OF
our treaty with Great Britain would, sin
effect" have had "the same signifcatiou
as the original wording" and thus have
nulifcd the amendment of the Senate, may
we'll be doubted. 1t is, perhaps, fortunate
that the question has never arisen.
The British government, immodiatel.
after rejecting the treaty as amended
proposed to enter into new treaty with
the United States, similar in all respects tc
the treaty which they had refused to ratify
: if the United States V ould consent to ado
70 the Senate's clear aud unqualified re
| cognition of the sovereignty of Honduras
} over the Bay Islands the following condi
tions :-"Whenevcr and so soon as the
republic of Honduras shall have concluded
and ratified a treaty with Great Britain
shall have ceded, and the republic of Hon
duras shall have accepted, the said islands
subject to the provisions and conditions
contained in such treaty"
his proposition was, of course, rejected
! After the Senate had refused to rccogns,
+ the British convention with Honduras o
4 the 9th August, 1856, with full knowledg,
= of its contents, it was impossible for me
= necessarily ignorant of "the provisions ant
c conditions which mi! hit be contained in 6
). future convention between the same parties
C to sanction them in advance.
+ Tho fact is, when two nations like Grea
C Britain and the Urited States, mutual.
$ desirous, as they are, and trust ever ma.
S be, of maintaining the most friendly rela
tions with each other, have unfortunatel,
= concluded treaty which they understand
= in senses directly opposite, the wisest cours
f is to abrogate such treaty by mutua
Y consent, and to commence anew. Ha
S this been done promptly, all difficulties i
:, Central America would most probably er
/ this have been adjusted to the satisfactio
f Of both parties.
n The time spentin discussing the meanin
c of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty woul
It have been devoted to this praiseworth
q purpose, and the task would have bee
), the more easily accomplished because th
n interests Of the two countries in Centra
;s America is identical, being confined t
IS securing safe transists over all the route
IS across the Isthmus.
h Whilst entert aiming these sentiments,
% shall nevertheless not refuse to contribu
h to any reasonable adjustment of the Centr
d American questions which is not PRACTICAL
l. inconsistent with the American interpreti
e tion of the treaty. Overtures for tn
n purpose have been recently made by th
l. British government in a friendly spirl
:, which | cordially reciprocate but whcthC
g this renewed effort will result in success
$ am nut yet prepared to express an opinion
.e brief period will determine.
r With France our ancient relations
of friendship sill continue to exist. III
'e French government have, in several il
d stances, which need not be enumerate
ut eyinced a spirit of good will and kindne
y towards our country which heartily rec
t, procate, 1t is notwithstanding, much to
ID regretted that two nations whose produ
ol tons are of such character as to invi
the most extensive exchanges and free
N commercial intercourse, should continue
of enforce ancient and obsolete restrictions
t, trade against each other. Our commerci
"a treaty with France is in this respect
le exception from our treaties with all 9th
at commercial nations. 1t jealously levi
er discriminating duties both on tonnage al
to on articles, the growth, produce, or man
IS facturc Of the one country, when arriyil
r. in vessels belon Jinr to the other.