Newspaper Page Text
nod not io actual potion of the Moaquito territory could hate authorized Euglv to seize it or bold it io right of the Moaquito King, thou Jg'and baa, on a memorable occasion, been strangely unmindl ?f the novel principle tbaa aaaarted. The well known c4 of the island of Fernando Po, on the coaat of Africa, ia atringly iHuatrative of the view. contend ed for on our part ii'hia instruction. Thia inland waa dis covered by the Portfueae, who ceded it to Spain in 1778. The latter Power n^r settled or otherwiae occupied it, and it remained in the jiueseionof the native negroe. until 1838, when the British Overnuient proposed to make it the aeat of the mixed cornmison on the slave trade. They occupied it, appointed a goveror for it, and held it by various pretences tUl the Spanish Ovemmerit required an acknowledgment of ita right of domiion. Thia right waa finally and fully admit ted in ? letter ofhe Earl of Aberdeen to Mr. Bosanquet, the Britieh charg* /affaires at Madrid, under date the 3let De cember, 1828, >1 which a copy was officially communicated to the SpanishiJovernment. Macgregor oncludes his atatement of the Britiah claim aa follows : <4It bavin/ been decided that Prinee George should be erowncd as eoal at Beliae, the necessary preparations were aaade. Tlw ?*g?Ji?, consisting of a silver gilt crown, a sword , ?? moderate value, and given formerly to one of the king by the British Government, were brought from the^uwalp"*" of security, the dwelling of the chief atVaughes "0nt?e I7th of April the British sloop of-war Hyacinth arrived a Bluefields, for the purpose of carrying the young King, Gorge Augustus Frederick, to Belize, to be crowned aeeordinf.to ancient usage; which was performed by the eom ? ^? BithoP . Jamaica on the 7th of May, 1845, in ot Johi ? church, Belize, in the presence of the superinten dent, G>1, Fancourt, Mr. Walker, British agent at Bluefields and several chiefs." Thi pageant ia thus set forth in a document prepared un der the auapicea of the British Executive, and published to the world by the Britiah Parliament. It was laid before the House of Commons on the 3d of July, 1848, and contains the British exhibit of " the moat authentic information that can be procured as to the boundary claimed by the King of Moaquito." The crowning ef George Frederick Augustus doea not ?eem to be the first instance of the creation of a king to aaeert the righta of hia ally and protector. Ic 1822 a book was published, entitled "A Sketch of the Moaquito Shore, includ ing the Territory of Poyaia," dfcc., "by Thomaa Strange ways, K. G. C., captain first Poyaia native regiment, and aid-de-camp to hia Highness Gregcrr, cacique of Poyaia," in which we are informed that the cacique of Poyaia is no leae a personage than "hia Highness the Mscgregor of the Clan Alpine, directly descended from the ancient kinga of 8cot j- ' Monarchy, therefore, doea not appear to be he reditary, or the succeaaion confined to the native princes. He w plainly the mere agent and instrument of Great Britain, and ?elected by heraelf. It is manifest, indeed, that the righta claimed by Great iJntain nominally in behalf of the Moaquito King, but really aa her own, are foonded in repeated usurpations, which usur pations were rtpmtedly and eolemnly acknowledged and re linquished by her during the domination of Spain on the Ameri can continent. 8iivce that domination has ceaaed, those claima could have had no other foundation for renewal than the supposed weakness or indifference of the Governments in vested with the righta of Spain in tb*t quarter. Theae ?l?in,T certainly can derive no warrant from the indifference of the Uovernment of Nicaragua, aa the letters of the Minister for foreign Affiurs of that State to thia Department, above ad verted to, abundantly show. i - Wawiona on her territory Nicaragua has firm ly struggled and prot&ted without cea-ing j and the feelings of her people may be judged from the impassioned language of the proclamation of her Supreme Director, on the 12th of November, 1848. "Tl? moment," say.hi, "has "M [?''?Tg ? country with ignominy, or for sacrificing with if th? ^* T }nuuna 10 P'6?6? it. As regarda myself, whKh men.ce. seta aside justice, I am firmly re solved to be entombed in the remains of Nicaragua, rather than 1J r""n* The eloquent appeal of the Miniater of Nica ragua to hia Government ia evidence, not leea striking and im '?e <Ji^position of an injured people to reaist what 5? InJu,t,c? aBd oppression. WiU other nations, interested in a free passage to and from the Pacific ocean, by the way.of the nver Sa? Juan and Lake Nicaragua, tamely allow that intoreat to be thwarted by such pretensions ? ? A ' 'V?* th? United States,, this question may confi dently be anawered in the negative. n?!?aI,llg ??W ?ufficjent'y apprized you of the views of this department tn regard to the title to the Mosquito coast, I de , ?ou d!8,ocUy to understand how important it ia deemed f ?k fj^^nt so to conduct ail our negotiationa, on the subject P3*"*?' ? not to involve this country in ?ny untangling alliance, or any unnecesaary controversy. We desire no monopoly of the right of way for our commerce, and we cannot subnut to it if claimed for that of any other nation. , snd enjoyed such a monopoly, it would entail Gib?l!I,TW 7 "I expensive wars than theatruggle for Gibraltar has caused to England and 8pain. The aame ca lamities would infallibly be cast upon any other nation claim in^ ?IC,ade ,hie commerce of the rest of the world. We M ^ "*ht of Passage for ajl nations on the aame from V un,ncumb?red ** oppwsaive exactions, either worn the focal Government within whose sovereign limit, it accomplished'e^' ?' fr?m 1118 P^P"?10? of ,be canal, when are wiUin* t0 enUr into ? treaty stipula on with the Government of Nicaragua, that both Govern ment. shall forever protect and defend the proprietora who CUttingLth6 canal opening the water com Wivhout?^. ^elWe*n . . two ???ns for our commerce, toriril I^S,pr<>teCt!0n rt " not ^at thia great en 8We. and *T'r successful. Nicaragua ia a feeble hendVrom ,w P ln"P' Proverbi?"y a timid lace, may appre Se^,? of greet mrWrn, Po.? tbe'obeSL sions on ih?ir seizure of the canal. Similar apprehen from the annrH*!^ ^rom reTolutions in the local Government. to retard a worb in M ^**17 to be eiplamed, may operate that, when iu Jwnfll to h ^ Mfe,y Predjcted will trammnrui ik / acc?B?phsbed, ita benefits to mankind be re^nviwl h. tk i if6"* ?PPr?heneione may end will S 1 5' . not * ,c^ulre <" onreel.ee eny eidnei.e t P"11*' sdvantage over other nations. Nicaramia will be 'U'm }? eni?y "^e benefits, and j agree to be bound by the aame guaranty. In deairinir CtantPDMn m'y obuin th? chsrter or grant of t^nght to make the canal, we do not mean to be n^der Our purpose in aiding American citizens to obtain M th?r ?^^i!OOOUr'g* iD " laudable effort, relying, Triie Vh.n Go7era?n?t does, more on their skill and enter of other.. If they thenwelve. prefer to to embSk i?? ?:? the. caPital of forei?ner? who may desire to th?t We ^D| rUk,ng:,th'* ?0'ernlMnt not object men?M .n I? Prood of an achieve T : b?t if Eor?P??n /vi k- lt? why should we repudiate it, aeeinz that cial u "clu,,Te ht?no monopoly of commer mRss:'Sjrnirb;hL,wo,k^'wLted?"? ua, and conaepr.to.1 .k ? J *mm? ,erm8 with uartmrSS? f?JOyment "nd diffasion of the un w-in8* -hfck ???h into ScJU Niceregue to enter plished. Let yoar negoUation with her be frank onen ?nH *nl*ZZ?Vu?!L?Ur The same reasonlTfo'r our nteuerenw must be avowed to the capitaliats who may enlist ? U* work. Before you treat for tbeir protection loJk win to tksir contract with Nicaragua. See ET^oTaLw n 1 U?n> thaTwill'n* t"? P""1?^8 ?re ranted to any Nicararaa ? Th?t ih ',^e. [A8*? rtiPolations with 1x5 d'm"Mled * ^ are anreaaooable or oppreasivet that no power be reeervnH i? ti fTpnTn canal or their successors to extort at an* of^Sa J.n tS, ""C"7 t0 ohrtruct or embarrass, the right B K? Soot *47to ST" "" y?Dr Tiffi'*no? and 'kill- i ' 001 ?tfe? to grant us paMige on reaaoiishU .n^ Pr?P?r terms refu* our protectionTJ oar procare the contract from Nicaraaua. Jf . rh.n. ratelj made before your arrival in that countrv u "r'af"7 r?*Pnctfu"^' your obedient aervant, E.Gio. S^niza, E?,. j. M. CLAYTON. Air. Clayton to Mr. Bancroft. DiFAUTMiirr or 8tatz, _ WABHiaoTOir, Mat 2 1 ?4Q aV J" Pr?rid80t of tiu> United States baa for rometime viewed with anxiety the apparent determination of the British Government to take advantage of the comparative inability of the authorities of Central America to repel aggression from abroad, for he purpoee not only of extending, according to their own pleasure, the limita marked out by the treatiea be tween Great Britain and Spain for the aettlementa of British eutyeei. on the Atlantic coeat of that conntry, but al#o for the oonvemon of those aettlementa into communitiea of a charac ter by no means authorized by those treaties. Hitherto, how ever, fas has abstained from asking of that Government an explanation m regard to ita measures io that quarter, in the hope that they .till might preve to be conaistent with the obli gattoneof Great Britain under the treatiea adverted to ; or, 'be diflerencee between the British Govern ment sad the Central American autboritiee respecting them would ke aeeommodated to the satisfaction of all parties. But be now apprehends that thia was a delusive hope. The President of the Republic of Nicaragua haa addrsMaJ ? oomannicatiao to the lata Prewdcot of th# United States, lod the Minuter for Foreign Afi*irs of Ibit republic bu id dreased two letter* to the late Secretary of Bute of the United States, requesting the interposition of this Government with reference to the seizure and oecapation of the port of San J uaa by the British, on the alleged ground of its being within the dominions of bis Majesty the King of the Mosqoitos, of whom her Britannic Majesty is declared to be the protector. This application has led to an ioquiry by the Department into the claim set up by the British Government, nominally in be half of his Mosquito Majesty, and the conclusion arrived at is that it has no reasonable foundation. Under this convic tion, the President can never allow such a pretension to stand in the way of any rights or internets which the Government or citizens of the United States now possess, or may hereaf ter acquire, having relation to the Mnequito shore, and espe cially to the part and river of San Juan de Nicaragua. He is decided in the opinion that that part of the American con tinent having been discovered by Spain and occupied by her, ?o far as she deemed compatible with her interests, of right belonged to her ; that the alleged independence of the Mos quito Indians, though tolerated by 8pain, did not extinguish her right of dominion over the rogion claimed in their behalf any more than similar independence of other Indian tribea did, or may now impair the aovereignty of other notions, in cluding Great Britain herself, over many tracts of the same continent < that the rights of Spain to that region have been repeatedly acknowledged by Great Britain in solemn public treaties with that Power; that all those territorial rights in her former American possessions descended to the States which were formed out of those possessions, and must be re garded as still appertaining to them, in every case where they may not have been voluntarily relinquiahed or cancelled by conquest, followed by adverse possession. ? Under these circumstances, therefore, after the most deli berate consideration of the subject, the President has decided to present the views of this Government in regard to it to the friendly consideration of the Government of Great Britain. In forming this determination, though influenced by a just sympathy for the injuries which the republic (of Nicaragua) would sustain if Great Britain should persist in claiming, di rectly or indirectly, dominion over the Mosquito shore, he h^s not been unmindful of the paat policy of this Government. Viewing the importance to both countries of the commerce between the United States and Great Britain, the President ardently desires that the relations between the two Govern ments should continue to be of the most friendly and harmo nious character, and should become strengthened with the ad vance of time. Consequently he is reluctant to take any step which might lead to a misunderstanding with that Gov ernment Believing, however, that if he were to disregard the appeal of the Government of Nicaragua he would neglect a plain duty, be will not shrink from the responsibility which the discharge of 'that duty imposes. The British Government can have no reason to be dissatis fied with our friendly interposition. We scrupulously abstain from intermeddling with the internal policy of foreign coun tries, and have never been officious in attempting to interfere with the affiurs of other nations. It is deemed advisable that, before entering into a written correspondence upon the subject with the British Minister for Foreign Affairs, you should sound him, in conversation, as to the views and intentions of the British Government in regard to the Mosquito coast: Whether it is intended by that Gov ernment to set aside a poi tion of the territory for its own uses, for any and for what reason, and on what principle ? Whe ther that Government claims a right, as ally and protector of the Moequito King, to control or obstruct the commerce of the I river 8an Juan de Nicaragua, or tu keep forts or establish ments of any kind on its banks ? What are to be the boun-! tfaries of the territory, and by whose authority have they been established ? All this should be communicated verbally, in conferences, with intimations of the inexpediency of any great commercial Power claiming to hold the river, in case it should become a highway for tho nations of the earth. Say, in the most friendly manner, that while we should look upon the exclusive possession or command of such a river by ourselves as a great evil to us, which would draw upon us the jealousy, and ultimately the hostility, of the rest of the commercial world, we ought not to consent to its obstruction by any other Power ; and, if you find that he is still unwilling to abandon the British and Mosquito claim, or to retire from the river and the command of its harbor, then impart to him orallv the views of the President, as conveyed in this despatch. You will be careful to assure him that, in questioning the title of the Mosquito King to the territory claimed for him, this Gov. em ment is not actuated by ambitious motives, or by any feel ? ing in the least unfriendly towards Great Britain. We are inr pelled solely by a proper vigilance for the interests commit ted to our charge, and by a due sympathy for those whose rigLts we believe to have been invaded. If the result of your interview with, that functionary should be an impression that his Government will not pause or re cede in the steps which it seems to be taking in the quarter adverted to, you will then address to him, in the name of this Government, in firm yet respectful language, a formal written protest and remonstrance against them, and immediately eom< municate to this Department the result of all your official in terposition and proceedings. In order that you may possess full knowledge of the views of the President on this subject, you will herewith receive an extract of a copy of the secret instructions given to E. George 8quier, our present Charge d'Aflaires to Guatemala, who, when you shall be in the receipt of this, will be on his way to Leon to negotiate with the Government of Nicaragua. It will be expedient to obtain an assurance from the Minis ter from Costa Rica, now in London, that he will not commit the rights of that State by any convention with Great Britain. A cession to Great Britain of her territory south of the river I 8an Juan de Nicaragua might seriously embarrass us. No British forts or British possessions should exist on the right or left bank of the river. Warn the Minister of Costa Rica to make no common cause with Great Britain by the cession of any part of her territory, or any rights over it. The pfety of every American 8tate, whether in North or 8outh America, will require of it to yield no further to foreign aggression. I am, sir, &c. JOHN M. CLAYTON. Geo. Bancroft, Esq. Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Clayton. [Extracts.] Uhitxd Statxs Libation, . Londobt, Max 30, 1849. The Minister of Nicaragua, Mr. Castellon, is at this mo inent in Italy. 8o, too, is Mr. Marcoleta, ihe able repreaen taUve of Nicaragua at Brussels and Paris. Lord Palmerston has sent to that l< gation another letter, which is described to me as very short and decided, renewing in the very same wards the view contained in that of the 17th February last, of which I forwarded you a copy with my No. 123. I cannot easily get a copy of the new note till Mr. Castellon returns. I have seen the Minister of Costa Rica, whom I know very well, and have questioned him very minutely as to the state of the relations of Costa Rica with Great Britain. He has renewed to me the assurance that that relation is at present one generally of friendship, and nothing more. I could see, however, the reserved purpose of invoking the protection of Great Britain in case Nicaragua should make a war on Costa ica. You know they have a strife about boundaries, which I have always adv sed them to settle. The Costa Rican Min ister assured me that he has full powers from bis Government to come to a settlement, but neither Mr. Castellon nor Mr. Marcoleta has such full powers. I have endeavored to ascer tain the nature of the dispute, and find that a part of the claim of Costa Rica rests on nothing historical, but only on the convenience of tbe natural boundary of the river 8an Juan. If your diplomatic agent in Central America could induce the several provinces to come to an understanding about their respective boundaries, a great point would be gain ed. I anticipate no difficulty in inducing the Miniater of Costa Rica at London to give time for auch an effort There exists also a treaty of commerce and navigation, as yet unratified, between Nicaragua and Belgium. The King of the Belgians was also invited to be interested in the esta I Wishing of a colony in Nicaragua ; but bis intervention was claimed as the condition of the grant of lands, and naturally the King of the Belgians would not undertake the protection of Nicaragua against the encroachments of Great Britain. But the grave subject for discussion is with Great Britain, in reference to its intrusion into Central America as the pro tector ol the so-called King of the Mosquitos. On this subject I could have no better guide than your despatch of ti e second May, which, from its clearness and precision, its firmness and its manifest desire to come to a just understanding with Great Britain on this subject in a friendly way, leaves nothing to be desired. You may assure the President that in my conversations with Lord Palmerston, and with such other members and supporters of this Government as it may be proper to speak with, I shall govern myself exactly by the in structions which you have communicated ; and I shall do so with the more cbeetfulness as those instructions correspond with my own views of the duty of our coantry on this occa sion. They are so founded in justice and moderation that, if they are consistently and inflexibly adhered to, the Presi dent may be sure of not coming in conflict with the judgment or the interests of tbe impartial in England, while he will have the good wishes of all other maritime Powers on bis side. It may, however, in any event, be best for me to pre pare and present "the protest or remonstrance" to which you f |; The conversations which yoj so properly instruct me previously to hold csn only smooth the way for that paper, so that it may not come up?n the Ministry suddenly ; but unless e views of the American Government are ultimately com municated to the British Government in writing, tbey will o ave th# weight or the formality which the President de " protest, after all, is but a solemn declaration of #?Timl"1 ' *r declaration need not of itself assume the existence of an antagonist opinion. hnl?!!I.. aTt0n '' f<m? 001 of lown the Whitsuntide imSorTILL'2 SlT?* T" "nt" ?P?0 ???*? business, of the importance of which I am fully aware. I am, sir, Ac. GEORGE BANCROFT. ' Wb-'-right, of the British company of steam * r *n ?rr"Of"nent with M. Castellon, on the I ?th of February, 1849, to send a company of engi neers, then at Lima or Valparaiso, to make a survey of tbe river, lake, and istiumu of Nicaragua. The oontract con mined a conditional grant of tbe eicluaive right to conatruct a railway or canal connecting tbe two oceans. Mr. "Wheel wright left Eogland on tbe 17th of February for Nicaragua, to obtain the ratification of thU contract by the Government of Nicaragua. On Mr. Caatellon a return I will try to ?end you a copy of the contract. Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Hi?e. Dkpaktmbht ot State, Washihotow, Jus* 3, 1848. Si* : The great extenaion wbich tbe coeat of the United 8tatee on the Pacific ha? recently attained, followed aa it will be by a rapid increaae of' our population in that quarter, admonishes this Government to cultivate and atrengthen, in a spirit of wise forecast, relation* of friendship and commerce with the other Governments whose territoriea border upon that ocean. - When the federal ion of the centre of America waa formed, the Government and people of the United 8latea entertained the highest hopes and felt the warmeat desire for its aacceas and proeperity. Its Government was that of a federal republic, composed of the five 8tatee of Guatemala, Honduras, Nica ragua, St. Salvador, and Coeta Rica, and ite conathution nearly reeembled that of the United States. This constitu tion unfortunately endured but a brief period, and tbe different Statea of Central America are now politically independent of each other. The consequence is that each of them ia so feeble aa to invite aggreaaiona from foreign Powers. Whilst it ia our intention to maintain our established policy of non intervention in the concerns of foreign nations, you are in structed, by your counael and advice, ahould suitable occasions offer, to promote the reunion of the 8 a tea wbich formed the federation of Central America. In ? federal union among themselves consists their strength. They will thus avoid domestic dissensions, and render themselves respected by the world. These truths you can i-D press upon them by the , most powerful arguments. A principal object of yoor miaaion ia to cultivate the moat friendly relations with Guatemala. It ia new an independent aovereignty, and is by far the moat populoua and powerful of the Statee of the former federation. Whilst representing your Government at Guatemala, however, you will enjoy frequent opportunities of cultivating friendly relatione be tween the United 8tates and the other States of Central America, which you will not fail to embrace. The enemies of free institutiona throughout the world have been greatly encouraged by the conatantly recurring revolu tiona and changee in the 8paniah American republics They are thua furnished with argumenta against the capacity of man for self-government. The Preaident and People of the United 8tales have viewed these incesaant changee with the most profound regret. Both our principles and our policy make us desire that theee republics should become prosperous and powerful. We feel a deep interest In their welfare j but this we know cad only be promoted by free and stable Gov ernments. The enjoyment of liberty and the maintenance of private rights cannot be aecured without permanent order ; and this can only spring from the eacred observance of law. 8o long aa successive military chieftains shall possess the ability and the will to subvert subsisting Governments by the sword, the inevitable consequences mutt be a diaregard of personal rights, weakness at home, and want of character abroad. In your intercourse with the authorities of Guate mala and other 3tates of Central America, you will not fail to impress upon them our example, where all political con troversies are decided at the ballot-box. I have no doubt that the dissolution of the confederacy of Central America baa encouraged Great Britain in her en croachments upon the territoriea of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, under the mask of protecting the so called king dom of the Mosquitos. We learn that under this pretext she has now obtained possession of the harbor of San Juan de Nicaragua?probably the beat harbor along the whole coast. Her object in this acquisition ia evident, from the Eolicy which she has uniformly pursued throughout her past istory of seizing upon every valuable commercial point throughout the world, whenever circumstances have placed this in her power. Hdr purpose, probably, ia to obtain the control of tbe route for a railroad and a canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by the way of the Lake Nica ragua. In a document prepared, aa it is understood, by Mr. Macgregor, and printed by order of the Britiah Parliament, which haa been furnished to me by Mr. Crampton, her Bri tannic Majesty's charge d'affaires to the United States, Great Britain claima the whole of the seacoast for the King of the Mosquitoa from Cape Honduras to Escuda de Veragua. By this means she would exclude from the Caribbean sea the whole of Honduras south of Cape Honduras, and the entire States of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, aa well as the new CTrenadian 8tate of Veragua. Under the assumed title of protector of tbe kingdom of the Mosquito, a miserable, de graded, and insignificant tribe of Indians, she doubtleas in tends to acquire an absolute dominion over this vast extent of seacoast. With what little reaaon ahe advances thia preten aion appears from the convention between Great Britain and Spain, signed at London on the 14th of July, 1786. By its first article his Britannic Majeaty'a subjects, and the other colonists who have hitherto enjoyed the protection of Eng land, ahall evacuate the country of the Mosquitoa, aa well as the continent in general and the ialands adjacent, without exception, situated beyond the line hereafter deacribed, as what ought to be the frontier of the extent of territory granted by hia Catholic Majesty to the English, for the uses specified in the third article of the present convention, and in addition to the country already granted to them in virtue of the^ stipu lations agreed npoa by the commissioners of the two Crowna in 1783." The country granted to them under the treatiea of 1783 and 1786 waa altogether embraced in the present British provinces of Belize, and waa remote from what is now claim ed to be the Mosquito kingdom. The uses specified in tbe third article of the convention were merely, in addition to that of " cutting wood for dyeing," the grant of the liberty of cutting all other wood, without even excepting mahogany, as well as gathering all the fruits or produce of the earth, purely natural and uncultivated, which may, besides being carried away in their natural state, become an object of utility or of commerce, whether for food or for manufactures ? but it is expressly agreed that this stipulation is never to be used as a pretext for establishing in that country any plantation of sugar, coffee, cocoa, or other like articles, or any fabric or manufacture by means of mills, or other machines whatsoever; (thia reatriction, however, does not regard the use of saw mills for cutting or otherwise preparing the wood.) Since all the lands in question being indisputably acknowledged to belong of right toHhe Crown of Spain, no settlements of that kind, or tbe population which would follow, could be allow ed. " The English shall be permitted to transport and con vey all such wood, and other produce of the place, in its natural and Uncultivated state, down the rivers to the sea ; but without ever going beyond the limits which are prescribed to them by the stipulationa above granted, and without thereby taking an opportunity of ascending the said rivers beyond their bounds into the countries belonging to 8pain." And yet from this simple permission, within certain precise limits, to cut and carry away all the different kinds of wood and " the produce of the earth, uncultivated and purely natural," accompanied by the most solemn acknowledgment on the part of Great Britain that all tbe lands in question " belong of right to the Crown of Spain," she haa by suc cessive encroachments established the Biitish colony of tbe I Beliie. The Government of the United 8tates has not yet deter I mined what course it will puraue in regard to the encroach ments of the British Government as protector of tbe King and kingdom of the Mosquitos; but you are instructed to obtain all the information within your power upon the nature and extent of these encroachments, and communicate it with the least possible delay to this Department. We are also de sirous to learn the number of the Mosquito tribe, the degree of civilization they have attained, and every thing else con cerning them. The independence as well as the interests of the nationa on the continent require that they should maintain an American system of policy entirely distinct from that which prevails in Europe. To suffer any interference on the part of the Eu ropean Governments with tbe domestic concerns of the Americsn republics, and to permit tbem to establish new colonies upon this continent, would be to jeopard their inde pendence and to ruin their intereats. 1 heae truths ought everywhere throughout this continent to be impressed upon the pu'oltc mind. But what can the United 8tates do to resist such European interference whilst the 8panish American republics continue to weaken themselves by division and civil war, and deprive themselves of the ability of doing any tbing for their own protection ? The relations between the United 8tates and the Sutes which formerly composed the Republic of Central America are of a character in which this Government has alwaya felt a lively irterest. On the 22d of November, 1822, after tbe Central American Statea had achieved their independence of Spain, but before they were united under a common govern ment, the Congiws of 8t. Salvador passed an act declaring that State a member of our Union, and Messrs. Aree an J Rodriguez were sent hither to negotiate with this Government upon the subject. No formal answer was given to the appli cation t but the regard of our country, and tbe confidence in ita institutions which it implied, deserve to be held in respect ful remembrsnce. The federation of Central America had not long been form ed when its Government accredited to that of the United States a minister plenipotentiary, with whom a treaty was concluded in thia city on the 9th of December, 1826. This treaty was on a basis more liberal than any which had previ oualy been concluded by the United States. Although, ftom the comparative inaignificance of tbe commercial marine of that republic, there might have been cause to apprehend that some of the provisions of the treaty, though reciprocal in terms, would prove unequal in their operation, it ia believed that no complainta of this character were made, and that in fact there jras no causs for them. Under the suthority of the treaty, consumers in Central America of articles from Europe or the East Indies derived advantages from the com petition of the intelligence and enterprise of nerehaals of the United 8 tales in supplying them, far outweighing any bene fit! whieh that country could possibly have enjoyed from in terposing impediments to the admission ef our vessels and their cargoes. This, indeed, seems to hate been the couvic tioo of the Central American Government itself, so long as it exited. You will notice that the treaty wasto last twelve years from the date of the exchange of the ratification*, and that it did not contain the clause, whieh has since been intro duced into many of our treaties, providing for its continuance. In consequence of thia, in 1838, shortly previous to the expi ration of the treaty, Mi. De Witt, the charg? d'aflaires of the United States at Guatemala, wus empowered and instruct ed to renew it. The new treaty was accordingly aigned on the 14th July, 1838. It contained a stipulation that the ratifications were to be exchanged in thia city withio eight mouths from its date. Mr. De Witt, having received leave of absence from hia post, quitted that country before the treaty had been acted upon by the Government of Central America ; and when he reached the United 8tates, bringing the treaty with him, the period limited for the exchange of the ratifications bad expired. In consequence of this the treaty did not go into operation. Mr. De Witt died soon after his return home, and no successor to him as charg4 d'affaires of the United 8tates to Central America was appointed. In the summer of 183#, however, Mr. J. L. Stephens wss sent ? special agent of thia Government to that country, for the purpose, in part, of proposing to the Central American Gov ernment that the ratifications of the treaty should be exchang ed, notwithstanding the lapse of the time within which that ceremony was to have taken place. On reaching that coun ? try, however, he was unable to accomplish the object in con sequence at the diaaolution of the Government of Central America. In the summer of 1841, Mr. W. 8. Murphy was alao dia patched as a special agent to Central America. It was atated in hia instructions that tince the return of Mr. Stephens | there was reason to believe that a confederation of aome kind and to some extent had been formed in Central America; that, in the opinion of the President, it was desirable that this Government should be in possession of authentic information in regard -to the condition and prospects of that country. If he should find there any organized Government with the title of the federation of Central America, be was to endeavor to effect with it the arrangement in relation- to the treaty which Mr. Stephens failed to accomplish. He ascertsined that no Government existed with the title above mentioned. He was informed, however, that there was a league or alliance among the Central American 8tatea, but he did not discover its na ture or extent. The Department baa reason to believe that aince the miasion ef Mr. Murphy attempts have been made by some of tkoae States to form a lesgue for the purpose of transacting business with foreign Powers $ but it is doubtful whether any if these attempts have succeeded, and it is al most certain tkat at the present time there is no Federal Gov ernment in Central America entitled to the privileges or re sponsible for tke duties of a sovereign Power. By a decree bearing dateths 21st of March, 1847, the 8tate of Guatemala declared itself t free and independent republic. The Departoent is informed that the Government of Gua- j temala has reontly expressed a disposition te form a treaty with the Unitec 8tates. This disposition is reciprocated by the President. At as early a period, therefore, after you have been received bt that Government as you may judge proper, you may inform the Secretary of 8tate of Guatemala that you are empowered to negotiate a treaty with his Government, and you will regiest that, if the Government of Guatemala is disposed to ente upon the negptiation, a person may also be empowered for ihe same purpose on its part. As it cannot be anticipated t?at the Guatemalan Government will object to the treaty aigted by Mr. De Witt and Mr- Alvarez, on be half of their respective Governments, on the 14th July, 1838, you may propose the adoption of that treaty between the Uni ted States and Guatemala. It is almost literally identical with the treaty letween the United States and the Federation of Central Amenca of the 5th December, 1826. The varia tions between them are mentioned in the accompanying ex tract from the instructions of this Department to Mr. De Witt of the 28th of March, 1838. You are also herewith furnished with a full power to con clude a treaty of commerce with the Republic of 8an Salva dor. Similar treaties with the other States of Central Ame rica would probably be useful in fostering our trade with them, and in protectii* our citizens who may visit or reside in their territories. It it not, however, deemed advisable to empower you to conclude a treaty with either Nicaragua, Honduras, or Coata Rica, tntil you shall have communicated to the De partment more full and authentic statistical information in regard to those States than that which it now possesses. You will accordingly be diligent in collecting this information, which it would be desirable that the Department should re ceive without asy delay which can be avoided. I am, sir, venr respectfully, your obedient servant, J JAMES BUCHANAN. To Elijah Hiss, Esq., See. Mr. Carcache to Mr. Clayton. Washihgtojc, December 31, 1849. Sin: I have the honor to inform you that the principal object of my mission, as charge d'affaires of the Government of Nicaragua near that of the United States of North America, is to solicit, on the part of the latter, the ratification of th< treaty concluded between the two Republics, by their respec tive ministers plenipotentiary, at Leon, on the 3d of Septem ber last. Allow me, sir, on making this communication, to say thai the special convention concluded at Guatemala by Mr. Hise, the charg^ d'affaires of the United States, and Senor 8elva, the commissioner ,of Nicaragua, has been, as publicly and universally known, disapproved by my Government. My Government desires the ratification of the treaty signed by Mr. 8quier on the 3d of September last, which it considers suf ficient to ensure the execution of the work of the great canal through this isthmus, presenting the most practicable channel of communication between the two oceans. Under these cir cumstances I trust that the Government of the United States will ratify this latter treaty, so that the respective ratifications may be exchanged within the period fixed by its stipulations for that purpose. I avail myself of this occasion to ofler to you, sir, the as surances of my esteem and distinguished consideration, with which I have the honor to be your most humble servant, EDUARDO CARCACHE. To the Hon. J. M. Clatto*, Secretary of State of the United States. Mr. Clayton to Mr. Carcache. Defabtxbkt or 8tati, Washington, January 2, 1850. 8m : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 31st ultimo, stating that the principal object of your mission was to solicit the ratification, on the part of this Government, of the treaty between the United 8tates and Nicaragua, signed at Leon on the 3d of September last. In regard to the special convention signed by Mr. Hise, to which you refer, it is to be remarked that, although he had no power or instructions from this Government to conclude a treaty of any kind with the Government of Nicaragua, the President would have deemed himself under an obligation to submit that convention to the consideration of the 8enate of the United 8:ates, if in hia judgment the public interests in volved should have warranted an-i required him to adopt that course. If, however, as you state, that convention has not been approved by your Government, there ia no necessity for its further consideration by the Government of the United The Preaident will communicate the treaty of the third of September last to the Senate, and will cheerfully ratify it if it ahall be approved by that body, with the understanding that any aupplementary articlea which probable events may render necessary for more effectually securing the objects contem plated by the 35th srticle of the treaty shall be agreed upon between the two Governments. I avail myself of this occasion, sir, to offer to you the as surance of my high consideration. surance my JOHN M. CLAYTON. Mr. Clayton to Mr. Lawrence. D?a*tmest of State, Wtuhingfon, December 29, 1849. Sir : Your despatches to No. 14 inclusive have been re ceived. Despatches have also recently reached the Depart ment from E. George 8quier, charges d'af&irea of the United State* at Guatemala, giving information of the military occu pation of the island of Tigre, in the Gulf of Fonseca, on the 16th of October last, by the naval forces of her Britannic Majesty, uuder the order of her Consul General and Charge d'Affaircs near the Government of Guatemala, Mr. Chatfield. It ii? now evident that the British flag has been hoisted in Honduras by order of Mr. Chatfield, and it is believed that other aggressions upon the territories of the Central Ameri can States have been made by the same authority. I trans mit herewith a copy of Mr. Squier's despatches, No?. 7 and 8 dated October 25th and November 2d, from which you will the extent of Mr. Chatfield's operations. Lord Palmers ton's declaration in bis note to jou of the 13th ultimo, dis avowing any intention to colonial, settle, or fortify any por tion of Central America, is utterly inconsistent with Mr. Chat field's official acta and declaration? and I assume it, until otherwiae informed, that Mr. Chatfield has acted without in structions from his own Government, and that his proceed ings will be promptly disavowed. I ahall not distrust the ho nor of the British Government on account of the conduct of ?n inferior functionary, which merits, and ought to receive, the condemnation of his own Government\ but I must ssy that it is now due, not only to the cause of justice, but to the honor of the American Government, that immediate explana tions should be required by you of the British Government in regard to the late proeeedinga of Mr. Chatfield. It appears that the pretext he has employed for extending the British jurisdiction over apart of Honduras is the indebtedness of that State to British subjects. We are very much surprised at this, especially u the claims referred to are ba?ed, not upon torts, but upon contracts between British subjects and the late Government of Central America. Under date the 8th of June lint, Mr. Crampton, her Bri tannic Mije?ty'? charg? d'affaires residing here, addressed a note to the Department, stating that he had been informed by Mr. Chatfield, her Majesty'a charge d'affaires at Guatemala, that the revenue* of Nicaragua, especially that arising from custom-house duties, had been mortgaged for the psyment of tbe foreign debt of that State; that a company of citizena of the United State* had entered into a contract with the Gov ernment of Nicaragua for the navigation of the river 8an Juan, and for making a road across the Isthmus from Lske Nicaragua to Realejo, with the privilege of maintaining four custom-houses j and suggesting that the company ahoald pay on the bondholdera' claims, the principal of which was *27,216 13s. 4d., with arrears of intereat thereon at aix per cent, from the 1st of February, 1828, and a sum amounting to about ?5,000, due to the house of Reid, Irving, andcom P,D*' ?f London, for the payment of dividends upon the debt in 1826 and 1827. , IfL* note 10 Mr- Crampton, under date the 12th of June, the Department stated that it was not aware of the existence of the contract between citizens of the United Statea and the Nicaragua" Government referred to by him5 that it could not be expected that such a contract would supersede or im p*,r.a.?y !*Bted "8*"* of British subjects ; and that Mr. 8quier would be instructed to recommend, to any of our citizeoa who might be a party to it, the extinction of the claims of thoae subjects in the manner suggested. In a despatch to Mr. Sqoier, unJer date the 19th of June, he was instructed ac cordingly. Mr. Squier acknowledged the receipt of this instruction in a despatch under date the 8th of November last, and stated that as the contract referred to in Mr. Crampton'a note waa never perfected, Mr. Cbatfield'a complaints fall to the ground. The ratified contract with the "American Atlantic and Pa cific Canal Company" is free from all objections of this kind, .u . of N,cw"?u? or Honduras of any debt due from the late Government of Central America to the subjects of Great Britain waa, at the pariod of the correapondence ad verted to between the Department and Mr. Crampton, evi dently considered to be a small matter ; and other circum stsnces lead us to believe that the seizure of the territory of Honduras on that ground is a pretext for aggression on the part of Mr. Chatfield. If Mr. Chatfield be indeed a proper exponent of the views of the British Cabinet, which we will not believe until 90 informed from an authentic source, the sooner we are apprised of their intentions the better. You will, therefore, on the receipt of this, forthwith address a note to Lord Palmeraton, setting forth the proceedings of the Bri tish naval and military expeditions and the conduct of Mr. Chatfield, mentioned by our charge d'affaires; and you will ask him, in firm but respectful language, for a disavowal of all acts of interference, by Mr. Chatfield or others, which have for their object to extend the British jurisdiction to any part of the Central American 8tates. 8hould Lord Palmera ton avow the seizure or intention to occupy any portion of Central America, under any pretext or for any purpoae, you m mediat?ly enter the protest of this Government against it. That part of the treaty with Honduras relating to the canal, negotiated by Mr. Squier, (of which I herewith send you a copy,) was made by him without instructions from this De partment ; but if tbe British aggression upon Honduras be not promprty disavowed, that treaty will be speedily submit ted to the Senate for ratification, without awaiting further ne gotiation. 0 It is now palpable that our charge d'affaires at Guatemala was nght in his conjectures as to the intention of the Britiah I authorities m Guatemala to seize upon and assert British ju risdiction over other parts of Central America. We have not desired to annex or colonize any part of that country, but we shall not be restrained by any act of the British Government from t res ting with Honduras or Nicaragua, and from the as sertion and maintenance of any rights we may lawfully ac quire by such treaties. We have frankly avowed to Great Britain, and she must have fully understood it, that our ob ject is to protect a canal across the isthmus. She is fully 'he Lakes of Nicaragua and Leon furnish the most eligible route and means for feeding such a canal 5 aid whe ther that canal should terminate in the Pacific at Realejo, within the confines of Nicaragua, or at the Gulf of Fonseca, within those of Honduras, we mean to protect it, with the consent of the States through which it may pass. Sir Henry L. Bulwer has been most cordially received by the President; but I regret to learn from him that he has no instructions from Lord Palmerston in reference to this subject. Ashe has no authority to treat with us, we must submit to the delay of communicating with the British Government across the Atlantic. I await your despatches by the next steamer, hoping you have brought the negotiation to a close. I am, sir, veiy respectfully your obedient servant, JOHN M. CLAYTON. Abbott Lawbehcs, Esq., &c. Mr. Lawrence to Mr. Clayton.?[Extract.] [Private and confidential.]' M " Loitdow, Fkbruart 8, 1850. Mr Deab Sib : 8ince I wrote you on tbe 25th ultimo, I bave held an interview with Lord Palmerston, the particulars of which you will receive, together with a copy of my note to his lordship upon the subject of Mr. Chatfield's movements in Central (America. Your instructions to me were of such a character that I felt it to be expedient to read them to his lord ship. Every point taken in your instructions will stand be fore the world. ? ? ? a [Private.] Memorandum of an interview between Mr. Law rence and Lord Palmerston, on the 27th Janu ary,1850. Mr. Lawrence began by saying that he had anxiously wait ed for a reply to his communication of the 14th of December ; but the principal object in asking for an interview at this time was to say that, after the very free and frank conversations they had held touching the subject of Central America, he felt it a matter of courtesy to inform him (Lord P.) of the new aspect of affairs before addressing him in writing on the proceedings of Mr. Chatfield. He then aeked him what were the views of the Government of Great Britain upon the ques tion of the seizure and occupation of territory in the Central American 8tales, particularly of Tigre island > To which ? Lord Palmerston replied, that representations of British sub | jecta were made to the Government with regard to claims of long standing against the Central American 8tates, many of which were of a peculiar character, and also of abu?es commit ted on British subjects by imprisonment and otherwise, and that he applied to the admiralty to send a naval force on both sides of the isthmus for the purpose of coercing those States to tbe payment of their honest debts, notice having been given more than a year since that such would be the case unless the ,. , *ere Mr. Squier was acquainted with the fact that Tigre island would be probably taken possession of by H fID ' L .at (?9oier) entered into the treaty with Honduras with that knowledge. He further stated that i",BDd he Je*mwJ Premature on IhliuL Chatfield under the circumstances, that it ! JaTe b*5" ?he admiral in command on the Pa cific, who was then expected to arrive there at an early day, Mr*Ci", ClrCKUTl"D^1miLghl for' He be thought i * 'er j pfobablj beeo misinformed in many particu ars in regard to the views of the British Government; that there appeared to be a misunderstanding of the motives and of. ,hr? Government, "but so fsr as all that goes, said be, ?? we will not discuss it. We do not acknow ledge the right of the United Stales to interfere with u? in the t0U,T W!J " Ukfn in Central America ; yet I repeal what I addrwsed to you in the early part of this negotiation, that . t o'ltaia has no intention of annexing, settling, coloniz ing, or fortifying any part of Central America." Mr. Law rence then staled that it was a source of deep regret to him at this juncture in the negotiations that any thing should occur to disturb the fair prospect of a settlement j yet, under the cir cumstances, be waa instructed to demand, before proceeding any further, a disavowal on tbe part of her Majesty's Govern ment of the set of Mr. Chatfield in the seizure of Tigre island; that the United States did not recognise the right of the Bri ush Government to blockade or to aeixe the premises or tbe property of these weak repubiica for tbe debts of private indi viduals , that theae claims did not grow out of torts, but con tracts, and illustrated it by tbe forcible seizure of a vessel, as showing his idea of a tort. To which Lord Palmerston re plied, that before requesting the admiralty to furnish thia na val force for the said purposes, he bad consulted tbe law au thorities of the Crown, who had given him the opinion that the Government would be justified in taking such a course; but he added that at the aame time it was a question suscepti ble of argument. Mr. Lawrence then told him that in order that he might understand fitily the views of the United 8tates, he would read to him his instructions on this subject in full, which he then took from the table and read through. He then told him (Lord Palmerston) that be should sddress him a communication on this subject, in which he should request rom her Majesty s Government a disavowal of the act of Mr. Chatfield in the seizure of Tigre island. To which he re plied that he had already seat orders to abandon Tigre island. and to leave it just where it w.s before it was taken posses sion of by Mr. Chatfield, placing it, however, within the dis cretion of the admiral to do what s*emed to him right; and s e was reedy to give an early answer, in time for the next steamer, to any communication that might be addressed to him. ? Mr. Lawrence endeavored (o press upon Lord Palmerston the necessity of an early settlement of this question ; that it was very ikely to be made a subject for discussion on both sides $ and the sooner a conclusion was reached tbe bet'er for all parties concerned^ He stated expressly that the Govern ment of the Lnited Stales would not be prevented from mak ing treabea with the Central American States m consequence of seizure of territory or claims set up by Great Britain, and from executing those treaties according to their tenos ; that there waa a feeling extaung in the United 8tatss and in Cen tral America that Great Britain desired to poswas hers# of territory not only for colonisation, but also to command Ibe keia of the great proposed canal { and that from the public newspapers ss wsi as from private aonrees of information be had gathered that there was a body of men inclined to ascare the eanaJ ux the haada of Britiah subject* ; aad be Mfced Lerd PsiaeuUw whether this were really so ? To this Lssd M merstoo replied that there was aach ? party ; thai he had baan often apokea to on the subject; that be had given no encsar agement to any aueh idea, but had said that, if accomplidMd at all, it must be done by Great Britain and the United Stales^ and dedicated to the world at large j that in hia tied that her Majeaty'a Government did not intend to settle, colonise, or fortify any part of Central Ameiica, he was ? cert, and the Government would earry out those sentiments , that, after all, it aeemed a very email matter for two great nn tiona to disagree about; that he fully appreciated the dssisa,. often expressed by Mr. Lawrenoa, to maintain the moat friend ly relationa between the two countries ; and that he reapooded entirely to hia deaire, then and often before expressed, to aat tle all difficulties amicably. Mr. Lawrence said that since he bad had the pleasure of meeting Lord Palmeraton be had seen the official agent* sf Costa Kica and of Nicaragua, and had put tothem certain hy pothetical propositions corresponding with hia note of the 14th of December, to which the agent for CoeU Rica, having fail authority, responded moat heartily, and, as be thought, thank fully, for the mediation that might be proffered in the settle ment of their disputes. The Ntcaraguan Minister, not hariwg authority to enter into stipulationa of the character indicaitd, aaid that he waa not prepared to act, bat that hia own private opinion was favorable to the whole plan presented by Mr Lawrence, if it could be carried out. ? ? ? Mr. Clayton to Sir U. L. Bulwer. DiriiTHMT ev Stat*, WiiBiifiTOi, Amu 19, 1860. 8ia : I have now the honor to aubmit to you, in a shapw in which I am authorized by the President to sign the ?mm, the project of the convention which originated in oar mutual conferences and consultations shortly after your arrival in tfai* country. I preaume, from the information yon recently gave me an to the instructiona you had received from her Britannic Ma jeaty's Government, that yoa are duly authorized and will to ready to concur in the said convention ; in which caae a Uian can be at once fixed for our common aignature. I have further to observe, that at a period when, in conas | quence of circumstancea not now necessary to be stated, it was I supposed that no such arrangement would b? entered into be tween our respective countriee as that we are now about to con clude, the treaty negotiated by thia Government with the Stateeff Nicaragua on the 3d day of September last (a copy of which? so far as it relate* to the proposed ship canal, was transmitted by Mr. Lawrence to Loud Pslmerston on the 22d day of No vember last) waa submitted to the 8enate for advice in regard to ita ratification. This treaty is now in the poasession of the Senators, wbo, aa the President's constitutional advisers in the exercise of thn treaty-making power, form a co-ordinate branch of the Gov ernment 5 and aa no treaty can be made without their ad view and consent, that which you and I have originated must to submitted to them in connexion with the treaty above refer red to. Whatever the Senate may decide in reference to either of theae treaties, the President will not, I am persaa ded, have occasion to controvert. He doea not doubt, shoald the 8enate confirm the treaty with Great Britain, that it will take care that any other treaty also confirmed Vy it shall be m conformity therewith; and it is unnecesaary for me to say that nothing in one of these treaties could be ratified which would be inconsistent with the apirit and intention of the sti pulations contained in the other. The friendly relations between the two greatest commercial nations of the world will, I trust, be strengthened by this new bond of union between them ; and I anticipate the happiest results from their honorable and peaceful alliance for the pur pose of diffusing the bleasing* of commerce and civilisation. It is exceedingly gratifying to me that a new treaty likely to bo po important in its results should have been the conse quence of our friendly intercoursej and I cannot terminate this negotiation without those mutual congratulations which the occasion warrants, and the sincere expression of that es teem and regard which has been created by the assistance yos? have given me in bringing our labors to a happy conclusion Accept the assurance of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be your most respectful and obedient; servant, JOHN M. CLAYTON. Right Hon. 8ir H. L. Bciwaa, Ac. ( Sir H. L. Bulwer't Reply. British Libation, Aran. 19, 186(k 8ie : I have had the honor of receiving your communica tion of the 19th instant, enclosing the project of a convention between the two Governmenta of Great Britain and the Uni ted States, which originated in our mutual conferences and consultations shortly after my arrival in this country, and which you now state to be in such shape as enables yon te sign the same with the full approbation of the President. I need not observe, after reading through the project to question as now transmitted to me, that I have to remark therein some slight deviationa from the original text of tto project which I submitted to ViscountPalmerston's approval s but as it is important that in the present situation of thin ?flair no further time ahould be lost in bringing it to a con clusion, and as the alterations I thus allude to are either merely verbal or are in accordance with the general spirit of my instructions, and have been adopted by us conjointly fer various reasons which have appeared expedient for the furtbas' ance of those objects which our treaty specifies, I am prepared te sign the said treaty on behalf of her Britannic Majesty, and will do so at such time as you may appoint for that purpose. In regard to the other portiona of your communication, I might perhaps be justified in expressing some regret that any treaty connected with the subject engaging our attentisaa should have occupied the conaideration of the Senate befesn the convention we are about to sign bad been submitted to it But such is my profound conviction of the great judgmto and ability which illustrate the distinguished body befom which these treaties will be brought, aa well as my coofidene* in the superintending wisdom of the President, in whom m sides the power of ratification, that I do not in the least fear but that the convention which we aign will receive every dna consideration, and that, if it should be finally approved by the one and ratified by the other, nothing will be approved of m ratified in any other treaty contrary to the spirit and intan tions manifested in our engagements. Permit me to add that I entirely sympathize with yon to ? the belief that the bonds of friendship which unite our tw? great and kindred nations will be honorably strengthened hy a convention which has for its object the construction and paw tec tion of a great work which we intend should confer eqnal benefits on all the nations of the earth. Indeed, the wtote treaty which we are now about to conclude manifests a spirit of conciliation and peace?of generous and unselfish zeal for the universal interests of commerce and civilization?that wiM, I am persuaded, do credit to our respective countries, and. afford no unworthy example to the world. I It is, I can assure you, a subject of sincere gratification to, me that, in negotiating a measure which so completely repre sents the views of her Majesty's Government, I had the great advantage of being associated with you ; and, although I claim but a small share in the merit of bringing this impos tant business to a happy termination, I ahall always remem ber with pride and pleasure the negotiation in which we haan been engaged together, were it only on account of the expan sions of esteem and regard with which you honor me, and which faithfully represent the sentiments of sincere friendship and high consideration which I avail myself of this opportu nity to offer to you. H. L. 3ULWER. Hon. Jons M. Clattqw, &c. <Tharjl.es abert, Attorney at Law and Agent for Claims In General. nog 17?eolm t A RARE CHANCE FOR CAPITALISTS*?Pc** haps a more rare chance for profitable and hsndsosasj investment has not occurred for a long time than the preseat. The subscriber offers at private sale his beautiful and fine es tate, situated oirthe Potomac river, in Charles county, Mary land, about twenty miles below Alexandria and thirty frosn Washington, containing about 731 acrea, with a variety of soil, from the fine flowery soil for making the No. i bright yel low tobacco, to the alluvial bottom and stiff clayey soil far wheat and meadow land, with a large proportion of the latter. The improvements consist of a large, commodious, *mB well-arranged dwelling honse, with pantries, closets, and fiae dry cellars, and built at a cost of nearly $0,000, located on aw eminence from which the prospect commands a view of near ly the whole (arm, a view of the Potomac and adjacent coun try, which is picturesque and beautiful f also, ot an overseer1* house, four No. i hoi ses for servants, stable, and carriaga house, three fine barns, one among the best corn-houses in the country, a rat-proof meat-house, dairy, ice-house, fire proof ash-house, with all the necessary poultry-houses, He. The whole buildings are nearly new, built in the best sty)^ and of the best materials. The peach and apple orchards are extensive, snd are oi the best budded and grafted kinds, now in full bearing ; tog^thw with a great variety of pther choice fruits, such a* grapea? quinces, cherries, apricots, plnms, pears, raspberries, straw berries, fete. The adjacent waters abound in the finest fish and wild fowl in their season. It is convenient to churchca o* different persuasions, togrist and saw mills, to post office au4 blacksmith shop, kc. The facilities of getting its product* to market bv vessels and steamboats are very great; 1,000 bushels of wheat can be shipped in a day. The place is ac knowledged by all who know it to be a healthy one. Tka whole estate would make three desirable-sirad farms, aad would be sold altogether, or in three parts, as may he desira ble ; one of 295, one of about *36, and one of about AX) acrea. The place is well watered, has a superabundance of wood, aad an immenae quantity ot fine locust and ship timber. Lime'm aur quantity can be contracted for to be delivered within hall a mile of the dwelling at eight cents per bushel. The adjoining farm, containing only 400acres, and no better land than this, has been rented out for three years lor one-third ot the crop, which third amounted to more than $t,000per yeaar for the two first veers, and upwards of $1,100 the third yaaaw Persons wanting such an estate, or a part of it, would do - well to visit it and judge for themaelves, for to see if wouldto ? hut to admire and appreciate ita worth. Disinterested gea?- ? tit-men, of high standing aad good judgment, when speakings# this farm, have said that, taking an things into cooMdcmtk*, the character and quality of the improvements, its loesd advan tages, ha., in their opinion it waa certainly aad deoidedte the best fcna ia the aeaaty. CHAKLKS A. PYR, oetfr?wNlU Near Fait Teheaae, Ctorles ceealy, 1*4.