Mr. Clayton to Mr. Squier. [Extract.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Your treaty with Honduras for a grant in Tigre island, having been made without instructions, though with the best intentions on your part, has been disapproved, as you may have understood from a former despatch. Mr. Gomez to Mr. Webster. [Extract.] WASHINGTON, January 31, 1851. SIR: On the 25th of May, 1849, when on my way back from Rome, where I had remained some time in the official capacity of chargé d'affaires of some of the States of Central America, I had the honor to ad. dress a letter from Barcelona to the Department of State, then filled by the Hon. Mr. Clayton, stating that I had received credentials accrediting me as chargé d'affaires of San Salvador to this government, and announcing at the same time the being about to be appointed to represent, likewise, in this country, the other two States of Nicaragua and Honduras, and inquiring if I could rely upon being received in my official character. My letter must be among the files of the State Department. The Hon. Mr. Clayton, in reply, wrote me a despatch, dated 18th of June of the same year, informing me that there never would have been any hesitation on the part of the American government to receive a duly accredited functionary from the States adverted to, and that I would be readily recognised and welcomed. Private affairs called me to Spain, and obliged me to remain in that country longer than I had anticipated. I have not, on that account, been able to leave Europe till the last month. Upon my arrival in the United States I wrote to my government asking for new instructions, which seem to be required before entering upon my official duties in Washington, not only by the circumstance of the lapse of time, but by the changed condition of affairs in Central America. I entertain no doubt that I shall receive them at an early day. Aware, nevertheless, of the interest which now attaches to affairs in that country, and aware, also, that an inquiry respecting the blockade of the ports of Central America in the State of San Salvador, by British naval forces, has been made in the Senate of the United States, I regard it as a part of my duty to address the honorable Secretary of State upon the subject. San Salvador was about a year ago subjected to a similar blockade. The grounds of that demonstration consisted for the most part of sundry claims for reclamations of British traders in the country. Such claims were pending against the government of that State, when, in the month of October, 1849, the British chargé d'affaires in Central America appeared in the Gulf of Fonseca, on the Pacific, on board a war steamer, and presented to the government a series of articles, to which he demanded its assent within a fixed time, and without modifications. The government named commissioners to treat with him. The commissioners and the British functionary agreed upon a convention, which, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of San Salvador, was afterwards submitted to the Congress of the State. The Congress was disposed to ratify the articles relating to pecuniary claims, but refused to assent to others, which, as I have seen from the public papers, the government of San Salvador pretends were agreed upon by its commissioners in opposition to the instructions given and the restrictions imposed upon them. Such a refusal from the State to comply with the terms of the agreement in all its parts, is the principal ground of the present blockade. There are other grounds of complaint indicated in the proclamation of the President of San Salvador, a copy of which, contained in the official paper of the govern ment, I have the honor to submit herewith. Such is the State of the relations of San Salvador with Great Britain; a condition of affairs alike deplorable and injurious to the weaker party. Notwithstanding what I have had the honor to state, my opinions, if I may be allowed to express them freely and frankly, are, that the present difficulties and misunderstanding between my government and the British chargé arise more from the form and the manner in which the claims have been presented than from any other cause, since the official papers charge that functionary with being strongly prejudiced against the present administration, and that conviction embitters all the relations between them; but the government protests, at the same time, that it is disposed to do justice and arrange all lawful reclamations which may be made in a peaceful and amicable manner, and which shall not derogate from the dignity or infringe upon the rights of the State. To the Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, IGNACIO GOMEZ. Secretary of State of the United States. Mr. Webster to Mr. Gomez. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has had the honor to receive the note of the 31st ultimo, addressed to him by Mr. Gomez, announcing his arrival in this city as the diplomatic representa tive of several of the States of Central America. The government of the United States receives Mr. Gomez with great pleasure in the character in which he presents himself; but as the appoint. ment of Mr. Gomez is not recent, and as he is in expectation of receiving shortly fresh instructions, it is deemed expedient to wait till such instructions be received before a full and formal answer be returned to Mr. Gomez's note. In the mean time the undersigned would take this op portunity to observe, that the government of the United States would see with great pain the prevalence of hostilities in the States of Central America, either between themselves or between any of them and a foreign. power. Recent events, the increase of commerce on both shores bounding this country, the plans for various lines for communication across it by railroads and canals from sea to sea, have given to the whole region a new importance. All must desire that the republics of Central America should now come into the enjoyment of peace and the pursuits of industry, so that they might commence that career of prosperity and progress which their climate, soil, and position seem to invite. The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to Mr. Gomez the assurance of his high consideration. To Señor Don IGNACIO GOMEZ, &c., &c. DANIEL WEBSTER. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, information concerning the forcible abduction of a citizen of the United States, and of his conveyance to be reduced to peon servitude in the republic of Mexico. MARCH 3, 1851. Ordered to lie on the table, and be printed. To the Senate of the United States: In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 26th ultimo, calling for information respecting a forcible abduction of any citizen of the United States from the Territory of New Mexico, and his conveyance within the limits of the Mexican republic, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, and the documents which accompanied it. WASHINGTON, March 3, 1851. MILLARD FILLMORE. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 3, 1851. To the President of the United States: The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 26th ultimo, requesting the President," if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to the Senate any information he may have received concerning a forcible abduction of any citizen of the United States, or of any person living under their protection within the Territory of New Mexico, and of his conveyance to be reduced into peon servitude in the republic of Mexico," has the honor to lay before the President a copy of a letter of the 30th of November last, and of the papers therein referred to, addressed to this department by Hugh McLeod, of Galveston, Texas. The United States legation at Mexico has been instructed to inquire into the case to which these documents relate, but as there is no treaty of extradition with the Mexican republic, it will probably be difficult to reach the offenders. Respectfully submitted: DAN. WEBSTER. |