Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-12-12

them from administering 10 tne splFit oi Wiio
and reckless speculation, by extravaraut
loans and issues they might be continued with
advantage to the public.
But this say after long and much refec-
tion, il experience shall prove it to be impos-
sible TO enjoy the facilities which well regula.
ted banks might afford without at the same
time suffering the calamties which the exces-
ees Of the banks have hitherto inflicted upon
the country.it would then be far the Lesser evil
to deprive them altogether OF the power to
issue paper currency, and contino them TO
the functions Of banks Of desposit and dis.
count.
Our relations with foreign governments nre
upon the whole 10 a satisfactory condition.
The diplomatic difficulties which existed
between the Government ofthe United States
and that Of Great Britain, at the adjournment
Of the last Congress have been happily ter
minated by the appointment ola British Min
ister to this couutty who has been cordially
received. -
Whilst il is greatly to the interest as am
convinced it is the sincere desire, Of the gov
ernments and people OF the two countries to
be on terms ofintnate friendship with each
other, il has been our misfortune almost al
ways TO have bad some irritating, il not dan-
gerous, outstanding question with Great
Britain.
Since the origin OF the government We have
been employed in negotiating treaties With
that power, and afterwards in discussing their
true intent and meaning. In this respect,
the convention of April 9, $780,, commonly
called the Clayton and Bulwer treaty, has
been most unfortunate of all because the
two governments place directly opposite and
contradictory constructions upon its first and
most important article.
Whilst in the United States we believed
that this treaty would place both powers
upon an exact quality by the stipulations
that neither will ever OCCUPY, or tortily, or
colonize, assume, or exercise any dominion
over any part of Central America, it is coz
tended by the British Government that the
true construction of this language has left
them in the rigbtful possession of all that
portion of Central America which was in their
occupancy at the date OF the treaty; in fact,
that the treaty is o virtual recognition on the
part Of the United States of the right of
Great Britain either as owner or protector
| to the whole extensive coast Of fCentral Ame-
rica, sweeping round from The Rio Hondo to
the port and harbor of San Juan de Nicara-
qua, together with the adjacent Bay Islands,
except the comparatively small portion ef
| this between the Sarstoon and Cape Hondu-
| ras.
According to their construction, the treaty
does no more than simply prohibit them from
extending their possessions in Central Ame
rica beyond the present limits. 1t is not too
much TO assert that If the United States the
treaty had been considered susceptible oi
such construction, it never would have been
! negotiated under the authority of the Presi-
dent nor would il have received the spproba'
tion of the Senate.
| Tho n,,ivarcal cnnyictiop in tho limited
Stntes was, that when our government con-
sented to violate its traditional and time
honored policy and to stipulate with for
eign government never to occupy or acquire
territory in the G eutral American portion o.
our ewn continent, the consideration for tins
sacrifice was that Great Britain should, il
this respect at least, be placed in the same
position with ourselves. Whilst we have Mt
right TO doubt the sincerity of the British
government in their construction Of the treaty
it is at the same time my deliberate conviction
that this construction is in opposition both t.
its letter and its spirit.
Under the late administration negotiation
were instituted between the two government
for tho purpoSS, if possible. of removing thes'
difficulties aud a treaty having this iaudab'
object in view was signed at London on th'
l7th October, 1856, and was submitted b.
| L
10th of December. Whether this treat y
either in its original or amended form, woul'
have accomplished the object intended with
out giving birth TO new and embarrassing
complications between the two governments
may, perhaps, be well questioned. Certain
it is however, it was rendered much less oh
jectionable by the different amendments mad
to it by the Senate.
The treaty as amended was ratified 10y m
on the 18th March, 1857, and was transmit
ted to London for ratification by the Brltis
government That government expresse
its willingness to concur in all the amend
, meuts made by the Senate, with the sugl
exception Of the clause relating to Ruata
, and other islands in the Bay of Honduras.
| The article in the original treaty, as sub
t mitted to the Senate, after reciting that ihes
, islands and their inhabitants having been b
' convention bearing date the 21th day {
r August, 1856. between her Britanic Majest
and the Republic of Honduras, constitute
+ and declared free territory under the sove
= eighty Of the said Republic Of Honduras
: stipulated that 1.-The two contracting partie
/. do hereby mutually engage TO recognize an
I respect in all future time the independenc
o and rights Of the said free territory as u paI
f Of the Republic of Honduras"
!. Upon on examination oi this conveniio
s between Great Britain and Honduras Of II
!. 9th August, 1856, il was fonnd that, whi
d declaring the Bay Islands to be "a free teri
!, tory under the sovereignty Of the republic
/, Honduras" it deprived that republic
e rights without which its sovereignty ov
'. them could scarcely be said to exist. 1t
8 vided them from the remainder of lloudnru
y and gave TO their inhabitants a separate go
e ernment of their own, with legislative, exec
tive, and judicial officers, elected by ther
selves.
!, 1t deprived the government Of llondur
70 of the taxing power il every form, and c
IT empted the people Of the islands from Il
J. performance of military duty, except for The
& own exclusive defence. 1t also prohibits
d that republic from erecting fortihcations up
II them for their protection TINS leaving the
II open TO invasion from any quarter; an
IS finally, it provided "that slavery shall not
'e any time hereafter be permitted to e1
70 therein"
D. Had Honduras ratified this conyeniiC
S, she would have ratified the establishment
IS State substantially independent within b
81 own limits, and State at oil times subje
to British influence and control. Morrow
le had the United States ratified the treaty wi
.e Great Britain 10 its original form, We shot
y have been bound "to recognize ano respect
er all future time" these stipulations to
m mr. Of IInuI,rag