Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-11-03
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Central American ImbrOgIi-sEngIiSh
and French AntagOnistic Diplomacy and
upon a Free Ttransit of the ISthmus.
's'Ion writes to the Baltimore Sun, under date
of October 29th, as follows:
The Central American imbrogIio now attracts the
attention of the 8erd, though, as an old story our
people have almost ceased TO axe interest in it.
The YrrizarIi treaty which was intended to protect
American interests in that quarter is not yet TaG
fed by Nicaragua, and It is evident notw thstanding
the assurances of Mr.. Jsrez to the contrary, that
will not be until after sati factory arraug ments
shall have been made by Martinez with England and
France The treaty between En- gland aud Nicara-
qua gives the former power the right Of protect
ing the isthmus transit by force. SIMILAR conces-
sion was proposed TO be made to the United States,
but while that has been withheld, Nicaragua has
sought and obtained the protection of the govern
ments of Great Britain and France. American en-
terprise in that quart must stand still, and Ameri
can diplomacy be b4fied, until Eng and and France
shall have obtained cOmplee control Of the transit
and the isthmus itself How the President and
Congress will view this s. ate Of things Will be
seen The movement on the part OF Great Britain
was not anticipated here. But at the time Of the
contamination of the Belly contract, our executive
government took the ground that, in opposition to
and independently of any foreign interference, he
United States would assert and maintain right to
q free transit over the is linus for both public and
private purposes Whether hat right can he as
serted without collision is now very doubtful
For eight years we have diplomatized, with Eng
land on the subject, and The question is now more
compiled ed han ever. Perhaps, after the lapse Of
another Term of eight years. may, by some treaty
with England be admitted to parDiciI alton in the
fsciiries for interocesDo communication which the
isihmus affords. But to any peculiar, not to say
exclusive advantages in the isthmus, which We have
claimed, they cannot be obtained
While other nations were passive, 1t was thought
here that we could secure lsihmus by the inser-
ton of a plank in q party platform, some other
legerdemain. If we now fall back on the "MOnrOe
doctrine" we shall see the difference between an
abstraction and It's application in practice. Our
theory is yet to be defined and recognized and ap-
piled.
That this subject will engage the early attention
Of Congress, even TO the exclusion Of The perpetual
Kansas topic, there is no doubt. It is known that
several eminent Senators are prepared to enler into
it Meanwhile the Executive has the handling OF
the subject, and will present it in q proper shape
in the message at opening Of the session.
Another correspondent of the San writes:
From a credible source We have the gratifying in
formation that our government will take umbrage
to the recent notification to US from the British
government that flibusters or armed emigant par
ties hence for Central America will be subjected TO
British supervision in he premises. This policy is
certainly a partial proteetora'e, involving in its
operation the practice Of search visit Of Ameri
can citizens on sea or by Islhmus transit, and, per-
maps, In the end of espionage or police control over
nominal residents for purposes Of business Of any
description. By the published letter OF Ger. Cass
to our minister to Nicaragua General Lamar the
governments Of Nicaragua and Costa Rics are ar
Ranged for invoking the protection of European
States against the alleged flibustering from this
country.
The Hon. Secretary says: THAT the Ameri.
can authorities at q critical period probably pre-
vented By their intervention the accomplishment of