an ill-defined protectorate over the Mosquito Indians on the eastern coast of Nicaragua.  In his ardor to serve American interests, Hise exceeded his instructions and secured a treaty with Nicaragua, which gave to the United States exclusive privileges over the route of the proposed canal, on condition that the sovereignty of Nicaragua were guaranteed.  The incoming Whig administration would have nothing to do with the Hise entente, preferring to dispatch its own agent to Central America.  Though Squier succeeded in negotiating a more acceptable treaty, the new Secretary of State, Clayton, was disposed to come to an understanding with Great Britain.  The outcome of these prolonged negotiations was the famous Clayton-Bulwer treaty, by which both countries agreed to further the construction of a ship canal across the isthmus through Nicaragua, and to guarantee its neutrality.  Other countries were invited to join in securing the neutrality of this and other regions where canals might be constructed.  Both Great Britain and the United States explicitly renounced any “dominion over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast or any part of Central America."[399]

The opposition would have been something less than human, if they had not seized upon the occasion to discredit the outgoing administration.  Cass had already introduced a resolution reaffirming the terms of the famous Monroe message respecting European colonization in America, and thus furnishing the pretext for partisan attacks upon Secretary of State Clayton.  But Cass unwittingly exposed his own head to a sidelong blow from his Democratic rival from Illinois, who affected the role of Young America once more.

It is impossible to convey in cold print the biting sarcasm, the vindictive bitterness, and the reckless disregard of justice, with which Douglas spoke on February 14th.  He sneered at this new profession of the Monroe Doctrine.  Why keep repeating this talk about a policy which the United States has almost invariably repudiated in fact?  Witness the Oregon treaty!  “With an avowed policy, of thirty years’ standing that no future European colonization is to be permitted in America—­affirmed when there was no opportunity for enforcing it, and abandoned whenever a case was presented for carrying it into practical effect—­is it now proposed to beat another retreat under cover of terrible threats of awful consequences when the offense shall be repeated? ‘Henceforth’ no ‘future’ European colony is to be planted in America ‘with our consent!’ It is gratifying to learn that the United States are never going to ‘consent’ to the repudiation of the Monroe doctrine again.  No more Clayton and Bulwer treaties; no more British ‘alliances’ in Central America, New Granada, or Mexico; no more resolutions of oblivion to protect ’existing rights!’ Let England tremble, and Europe take warning, if the offense is repeated.  ‘Should the attempt be made,’ says the resolution, ’it will leave the United States free to adopt such measures as an independent nation may justly adopt in defense of its rights and honor.’  Are not the United States now free to adopt such measures as an independent nation may justly adopt in defense of its rights and honor?  Have we not given the notice?  Is not thirty years sufficient notice?"[400]