The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-12-25
The Clayton.Bulwer Treaty.

A year-ago the President in his Message
to Congress recommended the passage of a
resolution to abro.ate the layton-Bulwer
treaty, as it is callcd-the treaty by which
England and the T. S. mutually agreed that
neither would take possession Of any part of
Central America. Resolutions were pre-
scented in the Senate and House at the last
session to conform with the Presidents re-
commentator, but none was passed; and it
was expected that, as our Central American
troubles with England have been increasing
from that day to the present, the President
would OF course renew his recommendation
But to the surprise of most people, he has
done nothing of the kind. lie has almost
passed over the whole subject of our Central
American difficulties with England without
notice. The circumstance seemed 20 mex
plcable to Congress that in both houses, al
most on the first day of the session, resolu-
tons Of inquiry were offered, to have the
, President explain how affairs with England
stand on the Central American question
the Mosquito Kingdom, the Bay Islands, &C.;
and what seems most inexplitaLle Of all, the
passage Of these resolutions is opposed by
those said to be in the confidence of the
/ President.
| By way Of unravelling the mystery of this
stransa reserve Of the President on this I'M
portant question, the Washington Suites OF
the 9th inst, offers the following explana-
ton, which it says has an absolute assurance
from the highest quarter, represents the
views of the President in the premises.
The only way to bring about solution OF
our difficulties with England on the Central
question, says the States, is to procure an
abandonment on her part, Of her claim upon
Mesquite and the Bay Islands.
This may be accomplished in two ways
first, by the abrogation Of the Clayton Bull,
wer treaty; and secondly, by the voluntary
action of the English Government.
In the former case, the parties to the con-
vention will be RENTED to tteir original
/ rights; and inasmucl as Great Britain af-
/ fects to hold her possessions in Central
America by lawful and sufficient tenure, it
will then devolve upon the United States to
Jislodge her from the position. In other
words, the repeal Of the Clayton ulwer
treaty will bring the dispute to an issue Of
force.
By the other expcdient it is proposed to
permit Great Bri ain to select her own way
Of escape from the Central American com
plication. which she engages to do without
delay. In point Of fact, this Government is
already advised of her intentions. Sir Wm
Gore Ousley has been despatched to the
/ lsthmus with instructions to surrender the
protectorate of Mosquito by separate con-
vention with Nicaragua, and by another
treaty with Honduras to deliver the Bay Is
lands over to that republic. 1t is under
stood that he is now engaged in negotiations
with this view, and that he will surely and
speedily compass his object, if the States Of
Central America be not disturbed by an in
trusion of tibusters. Hence, the vigilance
exhibited both by Great Britain and our cw II
Government in guarding the approaches to
Nicaragua. They are resolved that the bu-
slncss shall net be interrupted before it's
consummation. If necessary they will keep
the patient alive by artificial applications,
until he finishes TIE forua!:t:es of tesla
Inentary compact.
This is the whole secret, the States as
sures US, and if true, it certainly clears up
the course Of the President in this matter,
and particularly with reference to the fill
tus'er-, -. - .---.. .~i:sf- esory lnar~ar