218 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS President Arthur advised the establishment of a monetary union of the American countries to se cure the adoption of a uniform currency basis, and as a step toward the general remonetization of sil ver. Provision for increased and improved con sular representation in the Central American states was urged, and the recommendation was accepted and acted upon by congress. A Central and South American commission was appointed, under the act of congress of July 7, 1884, and proceeded on its mission, guided by instructions containing a state ment of the general policy of the government for enlarging its commercial intercourse with Amer ican states. Reports from the commission were submitted to congress in a message of February 13, 1885. Ne gotiations were conducted with the republic of Colombia for the purpose of renewing and strengthening the obligations of the United States as the sole guarantor of the integrity of Colombian territory, and of the neutrality of any interoceanic canal to be constructed across the isthmus of Pan ama. By correspondence upon this subject, car ried on with the British government, it was shown that the provisions of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty of April 19, 1850, can not be urged, and do not continue in force in justification of interference by any European power with the right of the United States to exercise exclusive control over any route
