Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-12-19

the islands from the performance Of militia
ry duty except for their own exclusive de-
fence. 1t also prohibited that republic from
erecting fortiicalions upou them for their
protectiou--thus leaving them open TO u-
vasion from any quarter and, finally, it
provided THAT slavery shall not at any
time hereafter be permitted to exist there
in"
Had Honduras ratified this convention,
SIZE would have ratified lie establishment
of 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 Brlainain its origin
al form, we should have been bound "to
recognise and respect in ali future time"
these stipuIations to the prejudice of Hon
dufas. Being in direct opposition to the
spirit and meaning Of the Clayton and Bull
wer treaty as understood in the Uuited
States, the Senate rejected the entii clause
and submitted in its stead simple recogni-
tion of the sovereign right of Honduras to
these islands in the following languages
"The two contracting parties do hereby
mutually engage to recognise and respect
the islands of Ruatan Bonaco, Utila, Bar
baretta. Helena, and Morat situate in the
Bay of Honduras, and off the coast of the
republic of Honduras, as under the sover-
eighty and rs part Of the said republic Of
Honduras"
Great Britain rejected this amendment,
assigning as the only reason, that The raii-
fications of the convention of the 27tli Au-
gust, 1856, between her and Honduras,ha
not been exchanged, owing TO the hesita-
tion Of that government" Had this been
done, it is stated that cher Maiesty's gov.
crnment would have had little difficulty in
agreeing TO the modification proposed by
the Senate, which then would have had in
effect the same Specification as the original
wording" Whether this would have been
the effect whether the mere circumstance
of the exchange OF the ratifcMions of the
British convention with Honduras prior in
point of time TO the ratification of our trea-
ty with Great Britain would, in "cfHect,"
have had the same Specification as the orig
inal wording" and thus have nullfied tho
amendment of the Senate, may we'll be
doubted. 1t is, perhaps, fortunate that the
| question has never arisen.
The British government, Immediately
after rejecting the treaty as amended, pro-
posed to enter into new treaty with the
United States, similar in all respects TO the
treaty which they hpd just refused 10 rati.
fly, if the United States would consent TO
add to the Senatc's clear and unqualified
recognition of the sovereignty ofTIonduras
over the bay Islands the following condi-
tional stipulation: "Whenever and so soon
as the republic of Honduras shall have con
cInded and ratified a treaty with Great
Britain, by which Great Britain shall have
ceded, and the republic of Honduras shall
have accepted, the said islands, subject to
the provisions and conditions contained IN
such treaty" -
This proposition was, of course, rejected.
After The Senate had refused to recognise
the British convention with Honduras of
the 9th August, 1855, with full knowl-
edge ofits contents, it wa, impossible for
me, necessarily ignorant Of" the provisions
and conditions" which might be contained
in a future convention between the same
parties, to sanction them in advance.
Inc fact is that when two nations like
Great Britain and the United States, mutu.
ally desirous, as they are, and / trust ever
may be, of maintaining the most friendly
relations with each other, have unfortunate
| y concluded treaty Which they under
Stoodip senses directly opposite, the wisest
course is to abrogate such treaty by mu.
tual consent, and to commence anew Had
this been done promptly, all difficulties in
Central America would most probably ere
this ThaYo been adjusted 10 tho satisfaction
OF both parties. The time spenin discus
sing the incoming OF tie Clayton and Blil-
wer treaty would have been devoted to
this praise@orthy purpose, and the task
would have been tle more easily accom-.
| pliShea because the interest oflhe Two coun
.tfies. 10 Ce9tfal America is Identical, being
confined to securing safe transils over al
the rontes across the Isthmtls.
T.. Whilst enierlainirg these sentiments, l
shall nereStheiess not refuse to contribute
TO any reasonable adjustment Of the Cen.
Etal american questions which is not prao.
hcally inconsistent with the American in.,
tterrpfetation Of .Ibe treaty Ogeftures for
this purpose have been recently made BY
! the British Government in. a friendly spirit
which l.cofdialy reciprooate,; but wheth-
er this yenewed effort will result in success
liam not yet prepared TO express an opin-
Zion, Al brief period will determine. N'sis
With France Our ancient relations Of
| [tuendshlp still continue 10 exist. The
Frepeb goveFBReat have in several recent
instances which need not to Be enat1efa.
tctt 'egineed q spirit Of good viii aud kind.
ness towards oir country which heartily
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