Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-28


have the right to take possession and hold it does
any one doubt that Great Britain will keep larger
force there than usual or that perhaps France will
do So because they have vastly larger armies and
naval establishments than we have? regard that
as a proposition for a Joint protectorate of those
countries 1t is said in the papers that Sir William
Gore Ousley will go down there and negotiate trea-
ties. Suppose he adopts this policy, what will be
the effect? Great Britain will get the right to sta
ton her troops on that line and she VIII hold IT,
There is no doubt about that. Then, how are we to
get rid of her? Are we to stand still now and al
low this treaty to be in force against us forever &C
cording as l interpret the Presidents message, to
the American construction which excludes us and
are we to permit Great Britain to go into Central
America and make what treaties she pleases to pro-
tect her interests? Are we to stand with our arms
folded until all this is done? If So then suppose,
we shall be protected by Great Britain from the
dangers that menace lis from France and other pow
ers I do not know that France holds govern
ment responsible for these things.
1t is very probable think, that the course pur-
sued by our government with reference to Commo-
dore Pauldng furnishes key to some of these pro-
ceelings. 1t will be recoected that when Paulding
went there, wrongfully as it was admitted because
the Executive declared he had no right to go into
that Territory-yOur Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons made report on the same subject, and do
not believe single senator pretended he had Alright
to do tour government, instead of censuring him
was mainly taken up with attack on the tillibus-
teis and compliments to Paulding. | believe do
not do any injustice to the report of the Committee
on Foreign Relations when [ say that the body of
that report was mainly directed against the fllibus
ter movement; and while it was admitted that
Paulding had violated the law and the constitution,
they took great deal of pains to culogize him.
Now, supposing that the recent truly
stated in the papers-and | have doubt they are,
because you have the statement of the pu: ser and
others who have just returned-what has Great Bri-
tain done exceeding our movement If we can al
low officers to go there, q admit not under the
sanction of the government; but then the govern
ment took no especial pains to prevent recurrence
of these things in future, and drive anybody out,
will not Great Britain do it You have in fact
British protectorate over Central America.
Now, desire, for one fpossible, to get rid of this
Clayton-Buwer treaty. Then the hands of oar gov
ernment will be free Until that is done it is utter
ly impossible that you can protect American inter-
ests properly in that quarter If the President has
any new light since last December upon this subject,
think it fair that he should indicate it to the coi,n-
try. In my opinion. as stated on the floor of the
other house, the treaty could have been abrogated
last spring terms that ought to have been, and
would have been, satisfactory to us. 1t was not
done. | do not propose now to inquire how why
this was prevented hope, however, that this res
olution will pass, and that shall have something
on the Suhjcct from the President.
Mr.. MASON. Mr. President, do not know whe
Their there is printer to the Senate at this session
not; but if there is, it seems to Inc he has not
acty performed his duty printer should perform
it, The Presidents message, communicated this
day week, ordered to be printed, and have as
yet received no copy of it in any shape. | under
stand that in the other House it was printed If it
were printed that could refer to it. | would as
certain whether there is not paragraph in it, which
| think recoliect, giving communication to Con-
gress on the subject of existing relations with
the Central American States, and informing Con-
gress that with Nicaragua and Costa RIGA negotia-
tons are now pending, but that they are in snch
condition that it would not be compatible with the
public interests to give further information. DO
understand the honorable Senator from n Carolina
to ask the Senate to differ with the President on that
subject and to request the information which he
says it would not be compatible with the public in
terests to communicate
Mr.. CLINGMAN. The President has said some
thing similar to the statement of the Senator from
Virginia. reference to those States There may be
however in his possession information witch he can
communicate with regard to correspondence between
Great Britain and the United States and between
us and those governments | leave it to him. lie
can determine whether or not it is compatible with
the public interest to reply to this resolution. l
thought it fair. under all the circumstances, that
there should be call made. If the Senator and the
Senate differ with me- they can vote against the pro-
position. do not see. however, that the President
says anything in his message which renders it at all
amlSs for any Senator to make call of this kind
have made the usual exception.