The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-16

The D1ac Academy opened on Monday last.
with fourishing prospects. Mr. Elder has du.
ring the past year, earned high character n,
IN instructor. His energy. and enthusiastic
love Of his profession, to which he intends de-
voting his life must ensure him deserved emf
nence and success
The late Central American Convention.
The late treaty will, England, waicl, is now
pending before the Senate. and which has found
its way into the public prints, is represented
by Washington letter writer's, as receiving gen.
eral condemnation from oil parties, md that
it stands 10 chance of being confirmed by the
Senate. II not disposed of before the 4th oi
March next it will be withdrawn by Mr.. Buch.
aaan. as Gen. Cnss, the probable Secretary OF
State is bitterly opposed to it. The objection
seems to be the large concessions which it
makes to England, in the Guardianship of the
Central American States We append the lead.
ing features Of its provisions.
One Of the chief obstacles to the nmcnbl c
settlement of the conflicting claims Of Great
Britain and the United States, under the Clay
ton Bulwer treaty, having been removed by
the ccssion to Honduras, Of the British claim
to tho Bay Islands. but two questions remained
to be determined by Mr. Dallas and Lord Clar.
enion; the boundary of the British settlement
at the Belize, and the Musquito protectorate.
By supplemental declaration appended to
the Clayton Bulwcr treaty of $780, the Belize
was exempted from the operation of that
treaty, which was intended to exclude her from
the soil of Central America. But this Govern
ment complained that since the date of the
Treaty, Great Britain had extended her jurs-
diction, and had encroacl,ed largely upon the
territory of Guatemala. BY the late Conven-
ton, England agrees to enter into negotiations
with Guatemala, for the purpose of fixing the
boundaries, between that Republic and the
Belize, and to conclude treaty if possible in
two years fixing the boundaries, as they existed
at the date of the Clayton Bulwcr treaty; and
to withdraw within the limits of her rightful
jurisdiction if she passed beyond them.
With regard to the Protcctorate of the Mus
quito Indians, Great Britain has never claimed
a right of property, occupation or dominion
But the British Protcctoratc was resisted by
this Government, because it carried with it m
influence, which might countcrnct the object Of
the Treaty. and give England an undue control
in Central American affairs. By the Convcn
tion agreed upon between Mr.. Dallas md Lord
Clarendon. territory of defined limits is to be
set apart for the occupation Of the Musquito
Indians. the boundaries of which are to be de-
ternrined BY two persons one to be appoint
ed by England. the other by Nicaragua; and
in case of disagreement, they shall choose nm
umpire. The Indians arc to have independent
legislative power, within their territory. and
their rights Of sclf.govcrnn,cnt, and Of prop
erty are to be guaranteed by treaties to be con-
trncted by Nicaragua, with the respective
Governments of Great Britain and the United
States. Nicaragua by each Of these Treaties
chase of lands from the Indians, and the sale
of spirituous liquors to them, and protect them
from aggression. The Indians will not be per-
mittcd to ALLEVIATE their rights. without the
consent of Great Britain and the United States;
except that by voluntary agreement they may
become Incorporated With Nicaragua.
The title of Nicaragua to the territory South
of the Seq, via river, with the exception Of the
above reservation is recognized, saving the
rights of Honduras and awarding the citi
zens Of Costa Rica the free navigation of the
San Juan river, with q few reasonable port
charges. The disputes of Nicaragua. and Cos
ia Rica. are to be settled by the joint arLitra-
ton of Great Britain and this Government
Grcytown shall be declared free port and
city, though remaining under the sovereignty
of Nicaragua, and shall be invested with all
tho rights of selfgovernment, trial by Jury
and religious freedom. The municipal govern
mcnt is to be restrained from levying export
duties and taxing goods on their transit across
the Isthmus; with this exception, that it may
raise revenue from imports. to pay nm nnnu.
ity 10 the Musquito Indians. as nm indemnity
for the territory relinqushed by them to the
Nicaragua, South of the Scgovia river
Such are the main features of the Conven-
ton, and as it contains no provisions apparent
ly inequitable to either of the Central Ameri-
can States, it is supposed that they would in
terpose no obstacles to its fulfllment