The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-17
Onr Relations with Great Britain touching
Central America

Central America
WASHINGTON, Dec. l6.-Among the documents
communicated by the President on Central Ameri-
can affairs is a letter from Mr. Dallas our Minister
to the Court of st. James, to Mr. Cass reporting
the substance OF a conversation he had with the
Earl of Malmcsbury. his ordShip inviting the inter
view. He was aware that Mr.. Dallas letters for
Washington would 90 forward on the 9th of No
vember and he wished Mr. Dallas to convey in them
some few remarks from him. First, Lord Napier
had communicated to the President the treaty nego-
tated by Sir Gore Ouseley with the Minister for
Nicaragua. 1t was believed that objection was
expressed to its provisions. One of its objects was
to terminate the Mosquito protectorate. Second
SIR Gore Ouselcy was by this time at Nicaragua and
would exert himself to obtain a ratification of the
treaty, in doing which it indispensable that he
should be protected by the presence of naval force
from any violence meditated by the ibusters
lie had, however, been much surprised at the con-
tents of recent letter from Lord Napier, which
stated that Gen. Cass considers that the orders is
sued for the protection of Sir Gore 0useley to be
Incompatible with the Clavton-Bulwer treaty.
Those orders to the effect that if the Govern
ment of Nicaragua required for their defence from
tlbuSterS the active interceSsOn of military DOW
er, suitable armed force was to land seize the of
Tenders, and hand them over if American, to the
nearest authority of the United States and having
done this to retire Immediately. He could not un-
derstand why such proceedings should be regarded
a violation of that article Of the treaty which in
terdicted Occupation and dominion" ;" especially as
a clause in the Cass-Irisarri treaty, with
which this government found no fault but, on the
contrary, desired to see effected, provided for ex-
acty the same sort of temporary assistance.
1t was impossible to allow their diplomatic repre-
sentative to have his object cut short by marauders
When the treaty disposed Of there would be
end of their interference. Thus far as to Cen
tral America.
Fith.-In regard to Mexico he described Spain
as extremely rrtated by the crueltes inflicted upon
SpanardS. and as threatening to send fleet to
punish and exact redress. England, however, had
successfully persuaded delay. Mexico was in so
distracted condition that it could scarcely be
said to have responsible government Eng
land had herself been grossly outraged in the per-
son of Mr.. Hanson, whose treatment could best be
resented. in the opinion of the law officers o the
crown, by British fleet being sent to Tampico.-
Her Majesty's government, however, were averse
to any strong measure which might make things
worse than they already are, and severity would
probably fall upon the innocent.
1t was difficult to say what result the dsordered
state of Mexico lead to- if the nations interest
ed in her well being forebore to intervene.
Mr.. Dallas says My solictude in this narrative
has been to give the leading ideas of Lord Mames-
bury. Of course he was not unfrequently interrupt
ted by comments from myself, which led to collat-
eral explanations. Among other things | remarked
that the provision in the Cass Irssari treaty which
seemed to me rather to carry out than to violate
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, by securing for all
equally safe and uninterrupted transit. 1t was es-
sentiay different in its character from the admi-
raty orders which, amid the struggles of parties,
cognze as the de fdcto Government of Nicaragua
and whom to denounce, for British pursuit and dis
persion, filibusters.
If the popular party, now in motion, acquired
strength, their adversaries would as a matter of
course, brand them with that odous name and call
for British succor thus installing foreign troops to
settle the political destinies of the country. That
was consequence to which the President and the
people of the United States could not be supposed
to be insensbe, which of all things was most re-
pugnant to the spirit and terms of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, and which could not possibly follow
from the application, as contemplated by General
Cass, of merely such temporary force as might be
thought by Nicaragua herself, necessary to keep the
transit route open for common convenience. He
insisted that both landings in the two cases were
equally right equally wrong. He esteemed
them to be right and certainly any attempt by fill
busters to defeat the operation of Sir Ouseey oud
be put down.
| also incidentally remarked that l regretted
that his Lordship had expressed some leaning in
favor OF NJ. Belly's project. He disclaimed having
done so. NJ. Belly was patroniZed neither by Eng
land nor France He a specuating adventur-
er 1t was immaterial BY whom the work of open
ing the transit route effected. If any of the
citizen of the United States held unexpired or
untoreited contract they would be entitled to 90 on
He was not intimate with the merits of the several
claimants to contracts.
Again,-in the course of the interview, i referred
with probably an obvious feeling, to the alleged
"jOint note' addressed by the French and British
Ministers to our government, respecting NJ Belly's
contract. He promptly and emphatically denied
that anything of the sort had been written or even
contemplated. The rumor of the morning, coming
direct from Paris, was adverted to-that the
Anglo-French fleet had orders to proceed to the
Gulf of Mexico. That rumor he said had lowered
the funds but was nevertheless utterly destitute of
foundation.
can perceive that the discovery of the golden
sands in Fraser river, leading to the creation of
new colony in British Columbia, has increased the
socitude for lsthman routes of transit In other
respects the pacific dispositions of this government
do not appear to have changed.
Lord Malmcsbury several times remarked that
it was best to accomplish one aim at a time. That
the disreshed protectorate of the Musquitos was
finally disposed of in Sir Williams treaty. That as
soon an English guarantee was applied to the
Nicaraguan route, capital science and labor would
hasten to accomplish the work however formidable
it appeared. have the honor to be- ETC.,
(Sgned) G. NJ. DALLAS.
Next follows private note from Lord Napier to
Mr. Cass marked private, in reply to private note
OF the latter
After quoting (see above) 'First: That Lord
Napier had com municated, etc, Lord Napier says
ne conceived that what the Earl of Malmesbury in
tended to convey to Mr.. Dallas this: Lord Ma
pier had impaired verbally to Mr. Cass the general
sense oil projected treaty which Sir Ouseley is
instructed to negotiate with Nicaragua, one of the
objects OF which is to terminate the Mosquito pro-
tect0rate, and to which no objection was expressed
by the United States Government. ! have not had
the honor OF holding any personal communication
with the President on this subject. In so far as
am informed. no treaty has as yet been concluded
by Sir Ouseley with any agent on the part of Mica
ragua remain, yours, &C.,
(Signed) NAPIER.
To Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary, etc., etc.
Next follows confidential letter from Mr.. Cass
to Mr.. Dodge, Minister at the Court of Spain,
dated Oct. 2lst, 1858, in which he says:
''Sir Late arrivals from Europe bring us re-
ports that naval and military armament is about
TO leave Spain, destined to attack Mexico with the