318 



Doc. No. 75. 



folly, for the mediation that might be proffered in the settlement of their 

 disputes. The Nicaragaan minister not having authority to enter into 

 stipulations of the character indicated, said that he was not prepared to 

 act, but that his own private opinion was favorable to the whole plan pre- 

 sented by Mr. Lawrence, if it could be carried out» * # # 



[No, 1.] Department of State, 



Wa.^hingtort.) April 19, 1850. 



Sir: I have now the honor to submit to you, in a shape in which I am 

 authorized by the President to sign the same, the project of the conven- 

 tion which originated in our mutual conferences and consultations shortly 

 after your arrival in this country. 



I presume, from the information you recently gave me as to the instruc- 

 tions you had received from her Britannic Majesty's government, that you 

 are duly authorized, and will be ready to concur in the said convention; 

 in which case, a time can be at once fixed for our common signature. 



I have further to observe, that at a period when, in consequence of cir- 

 cumstances not now necessary to be stated, it was supposed that no such 

 arrangement would be entered into between our respective countries as 

 that we are now about to conclude^ the treaty negotiated by this govern- 

 ment with the State of Nicaragua on the 3d day of September last^ (a 

 copy of which, so far as it relates to the proposed ship canal, was trans- 

 mitted by Mr. Lawrence to Lord Palmerston on the 22d day of November 

 last,) was submitted to the Senate for advice in regard to its ratification. 



This treaty is now in the possession of the senators, who, as the Presi- 

 dent's constitutional advisers in the exercise of the treaty-making power, 

 form a co-ordinate branch of the government; and, as no treaty can be 

 made without their advice and consent, that which you and I have origi- 

 nated must be submitted to them, in connexion with the treaty above re- 

 ferred to. Whatever the Senate may decide in reference to either of these 

 treaties, the [^resident will not, 1 am_ persuaded, have occasion to contro- 

 vert. He does not doubt, should the Senate confirm the treaty with 

 Great Britain, that it will take care that any other treaty also confirmed 

 by it shall be in conformity therewith; and it is unnncessary for me to 

 say that nothing in one of these treaties could be ratified which would be 

 inc nsistent with the spirit and intention of the stipulations 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 be- 

 tween them; and I anticipate the happiest results from their honorable 

 and peaceful ahiance for the purpose of diffusing the blessings of com- 

 merce and civilization. 



It is exceedingly gratifying to me that a new treaty likely to be so im- 

 portant in its results should have been the consequence of our friendly 

 intercourse; and I cannot terminate this negotiation without those mutual 

 congratulations which the occasion warrants, and the sincere expression 

 of that esteem and regard which has been created by the assistance you 

 have given me in bringing our labors to a happy conclusion. 



