The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-09

! YmuasdAtr Absogas1en Of the Clayts1-Dul-
| wer acknowledgements Of che Dksnros
| Doctrine.
| We understand that the Committees on For
| eign Relations of Congress purpose imnedi-
| ately introducing resolutions authorizing the
| President to give the necessary notice for the
sbroration of the Ciayton-Buiwer treaty. This
is in accordance with the suggestion Of the
| President In his Message at the opening of the
| sessiou He then stated that the Interpretation
| put upon that instrument By the British gov
ernmen. was Of such an extraordinary charac-
| ter, so irreconcilAble with the whole tenor,
( scope and object Of the convention. az under
stood By this country, that it's speedy abroga-
| ton was the wisest course which could be
adopted as preliminary to recommending an
adjustment upon a satisfactory basis
| The difficulty between the government Of the
United States and Great Britain as to the inter-
probation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty is
simply that the United States regard it as
meaning what the language purports-nsmely.
an instrument by which England and the
United States soleinn.y agree not to COLOMBO
or exercise any jurisdiction whatever over any
| portion of Central America This is the Ian
guage of the treaty, and the object was to put
an end to the British pretensions in connection
with the Mosquito protectorate, and to limit
her rights in Honduras to the cutting of wood,
without any right in consequence to colonise
there or exercise sovereignty. England, on the
other hand has assumed the ground that so far
from putting an end to those pretensions, it in
fact confirms them, but prevents for the future
any further acquisitions. To get over these
difficulties treaty was signed in London in
October, 1856, by Mr.. Dallas and Lord Claren-
don, which was submitted to the Senate. 1t was
found to be so Objectionable that it only passed
that body after numerous amendments, princi-
| pa!ly having in view an acknowledgment of the
complete sovereignty of the different States
| Of Central America aud abolshing altogether
the British Protectorate over the Mosquito In
dianS An amendment was also inserted by
which the sovereignty of the Bay Islands and
Ruatan was recognized as existing wholly in
Honduras-the treaty as it was sent from Lon
| don erecting those islands, in fact, into State
outside of Honduras and subject to British in
fuences and control. All these amendments
were agreed to by England, with the excep-
ton of that referring to the Bay Islands
The British government rejected this amend
ment, and the treaty fell through. An attempt
was Immediately made by the British Minister
to reopen negotiations and enter into new
treaty, precisely similar to the one just rejected
! provided that the unqualified recognition Of the
sovereignty of Honduras over the Bay Islands
should not 60 into effect until Honduras had
| concluded and ratified treaty with Great
| Britain upon certain conditions, not communi-
Gated to our government. OF course Mr.. Blu
chanan declined to enter into any blindfold ar
rangement of the character suggested. Had he
consented to the arrangement il would have
practically given England an indefinite tenure
over those islands, for Honduras has since re-
fused to ratify the treaty in question. Thus
matters now stand; and in order to get rid Of all
complications growing out of continuation OF
the discussion as to the meaning of the Clayton
| Bulwer treaty, its abrogation is undoubtedly
he wisest and best course to pursue.
| The language Of that treaty is not
susceptible of the Interpretation which England
seeks to give it; and even if it were capable of
being tortured into such meaning il would
| only demonstrate that by a trick our govern
ment had been induced to sign document ex-
| actly the reverse of that intended that il had
been swindled.
| We do not understand the necessity or pro-
| priety Of entering into negotiations with Eng
| land as to the affairs of Central America. IL
| we desire TO make treaties with the States of
| Central America, they should be made directly
with those Powers, and not through the inter-
| vention OF European governments. The mis-
take in the first instance arose from recognizing
| England at all as party to the matter.
The policy Of the United States is fixed and
just as regards not only Central America but
the whole continent. We do not DEERE TO make
any commercial conventions OH this continent
which shall be exclusively for our benefit On
| the contrary, VIC desire that the whole world
| shall participate equally with US in all such
| commerce. II route to the Pacific.
either by canal or railroad, is construct
| I'd across the lstbInus, we want IL open
I to all--satisfied with whatever advantages
| we may derive from the energy and enterprise
| of our citizens. AT the same time, We cannot
| permit any European nation to acquire any ad-
ditiona sovereignty on this side of the Atlantic.
| Our safety demands that upon this point we
| should be ipfeyible. II transfer of the seve-
! reignty Of Cuba is effected, il can only be
| TO the United States; if change is made in
| either Mexico or Central America selfpreser-
walton requires il must be in the same direction.
We cannot depart from this policy. As well
might the United States desire to purchase Or
acquire the Channel Islands, as for England
or any Other European Power to seek
further foottold on our borders The subject
is not open for argument This is the practical
solution of The Monroe doctrine and IL will be
maintained at all hazards and agains, all Euro
! pean combinations.