Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-21
Our Foreign RelatIons-Mafters In the
- 40 Gulf.

The eyes of the world are now turned to
the waters OF the Mexican Gulf, and the oc-
currences there 'rranspiring. growing out of
the Central. American and Mexican questions.
The diplomatic involutions which these ques-
tions have undergone, and the prolonged cor
dependence, extending through ten years,
the unsuccessful efforts at the formation of
satisfactory treaties, and The new complica-
tions which the civil connections in Mexico,
and fiibustering enterprising in Central Amer
lea have thrown around them, have invested
them with an interest superior to any other
relating to our foreign intercourse. We lay
before our readers this morning such parts CT
the correspondence as have reached us, which
was communicated to Congress by the Presi-
dent on Thursday last, in obdience to a reso-
luton of the House. This does not throw
any great deal of light upon the matter, but
the little it does is authentic. 1t will be seen
that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty is still the sub
ject of dispute and conflicting Interpretation.
A patient review of the correspondence upon
the subject of this treaty ccnvinces us that
there is but little hope of coming to har-
monious understanding of its provisions and
meaning, except through the medium of
new convention and fresh negotiation. The
boarding of the Washington by the officers of
the British ship Valorous, is alleged to have
been friendly visit" This construction
was promptly repudiated by Commodore
McINTosH, and the act was protested against
as an understandable exercise of the right of
search, which was formally abandoned 10y the
British Government within the present year.
The course pursued by the Commodore will
be generally applauded by the country. But
this does not reach the bottom Of the question.
The pretension which England sets up of
right to establish quasi protectorate over
Nicaragua and to prevent the landing Of emf
grants to that country. is in direct conflict
with the uniform American Interpretation of
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and precipitates
the necessity for prompt action on the part
OF our government to have these questions at
once settled. 1t is evident that England
means to have her own construction of the
treaty, without regard to American exposi-
t on, and even in violation of what is known
"a the Monroe Doctrine. 1t would seem that
Great Britain has taken this last step for the
purpose of forcing the United States to
abrogate the Clayton-BuIwer treaty, which
would produce an interim of diplomacy,
which she can use in gaining foothold in
Cntral America, which she hopes to main
tain in subsequent negotiations. If this view
should prove correct, the utmost caution will
be necessary on the part of our government,
in the measures it may adopt. We confess we
cannot see clearly through this business. If
tie United States shall assert and attempt to
maintain at all hazards the Monroe doctrine,
1t may ultimate, not very remotely, in war
between the two powers. 1t may, however.
be possible to avert such result by begin
ming negotiations de nOpo, Great Britain, in
the meantime, agreeing to suspend all action
or interference in Central American affairs;
or by some other course, which may postpone
action and lead to final and permanent
peaceful solution of the controversy.
The correspondence with Spain, on the
other hand, is satisfactory. The Spanish gov
eminent was furnished with the views of our
--~--a----~.,. ~ NJ C.SS thror"h 49, NJ
tI, as follows:
"You are aware of the position taken by the
United States, that they 1CiH not consent 10 the
su5jugation Of any of Tie independent States Of this
continent TO European porerS; nor TO tie eTerc'Se Of
aprotectorate them; 10 any other direct IN
fuence 10 control their policy or Institutions
Recent circumstances hare giUe', 10 his deterntna-
tion additional strength. and Il WiH be inReribly
adhered TO- tchdteUer may be the consequences.
With respect to the causes of war between
Spain and Mexico, the United States have no
concern and do not undertake To Judge them.
Nor do they claim to interfere in any HOSTILE
ties which may take place. Their policy of
observation and Interference is limited TO the
permanent subjugation of any portion of the
territory of Mexico, or any other American
State, to any European power whatever.
:. To this the Spanish Minister for Foreign
Affairs took no exception whatever, and dis
avowed any intention on the part of Spain to
reassert any of her ancient possessions on the
American Continent We have emphasized
the language of Mr.. CAss as it contains, in
the clearest and strongest terms, what will be
the policy of the United States in respect to
the Monroe Doctrine, with all European
Powers.