The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-28
SIR WIN GORE OUSELEY'S MISSION 10 CENTRAL
AMERICA
ENGLISH TREATY WITH NICARAGUA.

T
ENGLISH TREATY WITH NICARAGUA
The New York Times Of the 27th instant contains the
complete draft of treaty negotiated between England
and Nicaragua and accompanies the publication with the
following remarks y
awe are enabled at last to understand the cause of Sir
William Gore Ouseeys prolonged residence in Washing
ton while holding the title of ''her Britannia Maestys
envoy extraordinary and minister plenpoentiary on
special mission to the republic Of Central America Sir
William originally selected Washington his headquar
ters in order make himself perfectly familiar with all
the shoals and qucksands OF the Central American Inn
brogo That DONE his duty was to watch the movements
of the American government and treaty from Nj
caraua as comprehensive any that might negotiate
So far Sir William has been very successful in his dplo-
macy and the following is draft of treaty which he,
with the assistance Of Seniors Molina and Jerez has
drawn up This draft despatched to the Foreign Office
last june and sent back to this country by the Per-
sia 1t has been approved by the British government and
will certainly be ratified by Nicaragua Sir William is
now waiting in New York for the arrival of British war
steamer to convey him to an Juan. He goes out to
complete the treaty He will then negotiate similar
one with the other Central American States
The treaty contains twentyeight articles, nineteen Of
which relate particularly TO the commercial intercourse
between the two nations, providing generally that com
pete reciprocity shall prevail between the people of each
and that all privileges enoyedb the subjects citizens
Of any country in Great Britain and Nicaragua shall be
enjoyed by the citizens of each mutually The next six
articles relate to the transit Nicaragua and as
|
| follows: . BE-. ......... ......... H.. s..
ARTICLE xx-Tho republic Of Nicaragua hereby grants
to Great Britain and TO British subjects and property,
the right of transit between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans through the territories Of that republic any
route of communication, natural artificial, whether
by land water which may now or hereafter exist OF
be constructed under the authority Of Nicaragua to be
used and enjoyed in the manner and upon equal
terms by both parties and their respective subjects and
citizens the republic of Nicaragua however, reserving
its right of sovereignty the same; and generally
the republic of Nicaragua engages to grant to Great Brit
ain and to British subjects the same rights and privileges
in all respects in regard to the transit and the rates OF
transit which may be granted to, or allowed to
| be enjoyed by, the most favored nations.
| ARTICLE xxI--Ier Majesty the Queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland hereby agrees to
extend her protection to all such routes of commnnca-
on aforesaid and to guaranty the neutrality Of the
same. Her Britannia Majesty also agrees to employ her
influence with other nations to induce them to guaranty
such neutrality and protection
And the republic Of Nicaragua on its part undertakes
to establish two free ports at each of the extremites
of the communication aforesaid, the Atlantic and Pa
chc At these ports tonnage other duties
shall be imposed levied by the government OF Nicara
qua the vessels of Great Britain or on any effects or
merchandise belonging to subjects OF Great Britain OF
of other country intended bona d for transit across
the said route of communication, and not for consump
ton within the republic Of Nicaragua. Her Britannia
Majesty shall also be at liberty TO carry troops and
ntions of war; in her vessels otherwise to either
Of the said free ports and shall be entitled 10 their
! conveyance between them, without obstruction
/ by the authorities Of Nicaragua, and without
4 any charges or tolls whatever for their trans
/ portation, any Of the said routes of communica
1 ton And higher other charges tolls shall be
imposed the conveyance transit Of the persons and
property subjects of Great Britain Of the subjects
citizens of any other country across the said routes Of
communication, than may be imposed on the per-
! sons or property of citizens Of Nicaragua.
And the republic of Nicaragua recognises the right of
the postmaster of Great Britain to enter into
tracts with any individuals companies to transport the
mails of Great Britain along the said routes of commun
cation along any other routes acoss the Istbmus in
closed bags the contents of which may not be intended
for distribution within the said republic free from the inn
position Of all duties by the government of Nj
caagua but this liberty is not to be construed to
permit such individuals companies by virtue of this
right to transport the mails to carry also passengers
freight except messenger depucd by the British post
! Office In charge of mails
AnrIcLE XIII The republic of Nicaragua agree that
should it become necessary at any time to employ mil
ary the security and protection Of persons and prop
ery passing any of the routes aforesaid it will employ
the requisite force for that purpose but upon failure to
do this for any whatever, her Britannia Majesty
may after notice to the government of Nicaragua to
the minister thereof at London or Paris, employ such
force for this and for other purpose ; and when the
necessity ceases, such force shall be Immediately with
drawn.
ARTICLE xxIm-It is understood, however, that her
Britannia Majesty in according protection to such routes
of communication and guaranteeing their neutrality and
security always intends that the protection and guaran
tee granted condtionay and may be withdrawn IL
1
company undertaking managing the adopt
absh such regulations concerning the traffic thereupon
as are contrary the spirit and intention Of this treaty
either by making unfair determinations in favor of the
commerce of any other nation nations by imposing
oppressive exactons unreasonable tolls upon mails
passengers, vessels goods, wares merchandise, other
articles The aforesaid protection and guarantee shall
not however, be Withdrawn by her Britannia Majesty
without first giving six months notice to the republic of
/ Nicaragua.
ARTICLE xxv-And It further understood and agreed
that In any grant or contract which may hereafter be
made entered into by the government Of Nicaragua,
having reference the neroceanc routes above referred
to- or any OF them the rights and privileges granted by
this convention to her Britannia Majesty and to British
subjects shall be ally protected and reserved and If any
such grant contract exist Of valid character it
is further understood that the guarantee and protection
oi her Britannia Majesty stipulated in Article XXI Of
this treaty shall be held imperative and void until the
holders Of such grant contract shall recognise the
cessons made in this treaty to her Britannia Majesty and
or any of them and shall agree to observe and be gov
erned BY those concessions fully if they had been
embraced in their original grant contract after which
recognition and agreement the said guarantee and pro-
lection shall be in full force provided that nothing
herein contained shall be construed either to affirm
| deny the validity of any of the said contracts.
ARTICLE After ten years from the completion Of
canal railroad, or any other route of communication
through the territory of Nicaragua from the Atlantic to
| the Pacific ocean, company which may have
sructed or be possession of the shall divide
directly indirectly by the issue Of stock the pay
mept of dividends or otherwise, than fifteen per
cent per annun or Mt that rate, to its stockholders
from tolls collected thoreupon but whenever the tolls