The New York herald., 1864-12-21
The HondYras Aauddie.

Some weeks since the readers of the HERALD
were informed of the existence Of great mud
die in Australia, which was giving the British
government considerable trouble. Another, on
smaller scale geographically, but larger
and deeper one politically has turned up in
Honduras, and may lead, before it is cleared
up, to complications from which it will task the
whole ability of the British Foreign Office to ex-
tricate itself The Emperor Macmillan, not yet
in undisturbed possession OF his throne, has
commenced enlarging his dominons, aud has
asserted his authority over Yueatan as an in
teeral part Of Mexico, including tho British
terrifsfy Of Honduras, and annexed both to his
empire. The peninsula OF Yucatan has for
some time past maintained an independent ex-
istence, adopted LIBERAL constitution, and
traded with the world on this footing. The
British have not been slow to take advantage
of this circumstance, for they have established
here, as in Honduras, iourishng settlements
along the east coast, opposite Ambersris Key.
In Honduras they have for many years
claimed the rights of ownership by conquest in
the manner stated by our intelligent cores
pondent at Belize, published in yesterdays
HERALD The territory is . large one-three
hundred and ninety miles in length and one
hundred and City in breadth-and was dis
covered by Columbus exactly three husdred
and sixty-tvo years ago. The Bay Of Honduras
is that in which British enterprise has been
chiefly employed. Into this falls the river
Belize, at the mouth Of Which Is the town Of the
same name, with population Of two or three
hundred white people and about double that
number of blacks. The principal business Of
the country rs mahogany cutting, prosecuted at
times, and, according to the demand, with great
assiduity.
Logwood, cochineal, hides, cedar and turtle
are also exported In considerable quantities
Besides all this, OF late years Belize has been
made tho depot of British manufactures and
foreign merchandise consigned to certain parts
OF Central America. The value Of the imports
Of the exports about four millions. Several
hundred vessels visit Belize in the course OF
the year, OF which the largest number are
British. The weights and measures are also
British, and the public revenue Is about one
hundred thousand dollars. 1t is governed by
governor, legislature aud an executive council.
The former receives q salary Of nine thousand
dollars per aunum. There are judges, courts,
clerks, and twenty three civil officers of various
ranks, with salaries from one thousand dollars
to three thousand dollars. II is, therefore,
regular colony in all respects, self-governing
like the other British possessions, and depen-
dent like them on tho crown. 1t IL very clear,
then, that Macmillan has made regular
attack on an established British colony, WIZ
more complete organization than even tnat OF
Mexico, and has annexed 1t to his empire with
out any ceremony.
We think VIC see the finger oil Louis Napo-
Icon in this affair. Tho southern boundary Of
Honduras 10 the State OF Nicaragus, aud the
eastern Is tho Caribbean Sea. The schemes OF
the French Emperor for transit across the
isthmus, either by ship canal or railway by
the Nicaragua route, arc BY no means ct an