The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-04-06
1ug cEyrRAL AMERICAN QUESTIONS.

IFrom Y. Journal q Commerce, April
On the unsupported allegation that Sir William Gore
0useIey, the British envoy the Genital American
publics has intrigued with the governments of those
countries defeat the views Of the United States with
regard TO Central America and 10 procure for Great
Britain aScendency there at variance with the Amer
eau construction of the Clayton Bulwer treaty, ID Is
suned by the opposition to President Buchanan admin
straon that he has neglected the interests the United
States and allowed himself be duped by the British
diplomat IL is also asserted that in the treaties
treaty which the British representative is said To
have negotiated with the Ncaraguan government, no
mention is made OF abandonment by Great Britain Of
the Mosquito protecorate, and that il Is by his advice
and influence that the Cs frisssr treaty has not been
ratified by the Nicaraguan Congress aaE 80
Until the fact IL automatically ascetained that Sir Gore
Ouseley has been guilty Of the dupcy and hostility
American interests and policy which imputed to him.
and until il is officially declared that in the convention
concluded by him with NJ Martinez provision Il made
for the ceson of the Mosquito protetorate ii would be
obviously unfair well in the last degree impoltic
for government TO thai he is guilty and act
that assumption But all that is al
legged against Sg Gore ousey to be true il by
follows that there should be any serious misunderstood
ing between this country aud Great Bntain.r Sir
Gore expressly appointed special envoy to central
Ameri for the purpose of settling the controversy
which had long subsisled between his government and
that of the United States with regard TO the respective
rights of the two countries in Central America The
English government substantially admitted the justice Of
the Interpretation put the Clayton Bulwer treaty by
goyernmentthat is, they agreed cede 10 Mica
agua the strip of land along the eastern coast of that
public known the Mosquito Kingdom, which, by
virtue Of her assumed proeorae she claimed to exercise
sovereign jurisdiction condition that Nicaragua should
undertake protect the Mosquito Indians in their persons
end certain asceTtaned possessions They also agreed
cede Honduras the islands acen. to her known
the Bay Islands, and to which they wrongfuy laid
claim belonging To Great Britain in breach Of the sol
emn engagement 'never TO exercise any do
minon Nicaragua Costa Ric the Mosquito coast,
any part Of Central inssraI. To carry out these
rangements, and to to Great Britain free transit
across the Isshmus which the Earl of Derby said in
speech in the House of Lords delivered nearly years
ago the only interest his country had in Central
America il resolved that special envoy should be
to the Central american republics to conclude
treaties with those States which understood should
be substantial conceun OF the demands and preensons
Of the United States In all subsequent negotiations be-
the cabinets OF Washington and London the latter
has always evnced the most loyal determination to abide
by and give effect its promises and nothing
could be ooncatory, respectful to this
try moderate than the sentiments expressed
several occasions during the last two years BY the leading
OF England 10 relation to the Central American
controversy. Our only interest said Lord Derby ''n
Central America is that the ishmus routes may not be
placed In the hands OF power capable Of exercising
controlling influence commerce, and shall view
any sacrifice Of the islands and territory the Bay islands
and Mosquito terrtorylswhich may make in that
gion fully compensated for by the attainment Of the
other objects involved in such general arrangement"
The Earl OF Clarendon agreed with Lord Derby that Great
Britain has interest whatever in Central America
beyond that OF possessing free transit the 18TH
mus which the United States have disputed e aud
Lord John Russell said With regard to Central Ameri
ca, glad to the course which the government
have taken. The phantom King OF Mosquito may,
hope be said 10 have disappeared and we shall run
risk Of being involved with that great republic the Uni
ted States in any difference concerning the various tribes
occupying Central America who none OF them worth
the lives of s. 600 British Americans" The English
people cordially endorsed these sentiments and fully adj
mtted the justice and expedency Of the concession Of our
demands.
Considerable delay las occurred in the ulflment Of
the agreement and the conclusion Of the necessary
venti0ns with the Central American States We have
to believe that this delay has been occsoned by
any desire the part Of Great Britain 10 evie her
gageruents or pretensons, in Central America
which she had promised to abandon. Our government
have very properly insisted In the interests OF the coun-
try and of the continuance of peaceful relations with
Great Britain that the arrangement should be clear
its obligations and free from any ground for future
controversy The negotiations for the conclusion OF such
final settlement have been necessarily tedious and have
occupied much time but there Is to suppose
that the delay l. attributable TO bad faith the part Of
either Of the contracting parties On the contrary Lord
Napier stated, In conversation with member Of our
editorial staff not three months sgo that be had the
fullest convicon that the Central American question
woud be finally and satisfactorily settled before long
and gave Il be understood that England had desire
to establish possess amy rights In Central America
other than right Of free transit the Isthmus- II
Sir Gore 0usesy has tranSccncied his instructions.
failed 90 carry them out In the spiE in which they
understood by government he win doubtless be disa
vowed BY the British cabinet and effect given TO the
original undertaking. -sr ae-- r-
Whatever course Mr. Buchanan may deem IL his duty
to pursue towards Nicaragua for the punishment Of the
alleged ndignities which she has recently offered 10 the
Unitel States will not in any way affect relations
with Great Britain negotiations FOR the settlement
Of controversy with that power to the nterpets
ton and due observance OF the obligations Of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. a