Tratado Clayton-Bulwer , acuerdo de compromiso (firmado el 19 de abril de 1850) diseñado para armonizar los intereses británicos y estadounidenses en Centroamérica . Debido a su lenguaje ambiguo , se convirtió en uno de los tratados más discutidos y difíciles en la historia de las relaciones anglo-estadounidenses. Fue el resultado de las negociaciones entre Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer , embajador británico en Washington, y John M. Clayton, secretario de Estado de EE. UU. 

El tratado disponía que los dos países debían controlar y proteger conjuntamente el canal que esperaban construir pronto a través del istmo de Panamá . El artículo introductorio del tratado prometía una América Central neutralizada, que ninguno de los firmantes “ocuparía, fortificaría, colonizaría ni asumiría ni ejercería dominio alguno sobre…”. La interpretación de esta cláusula se convirtió en objeto de una agria disputa entre los dos gobiernos. Estados Unidos sostenía que la promesa de no “ocupar” requería la renuncia por parte de Gran Bretaña de ciertos intereses, a saber, un protectorado sobre la Costa de Mosquitos , un asentamiento en Honduras Británica y las Islas de la Bahía . La contraposición de Gran Bretaña sobre estos asuntos era que el tratado reconocía el statu quo. Cuando, después de varias décadas, el canal seguía sin construirse, hubo una demanda popular en Estados Unidos para la abrogación del acuerdo para hacer posible un canal controlado por Estados Unidos. 

El Tratado Clayton-Bulwer fue finalmente reemplazado en 1901 con la conclusión del segundo Tratado Hay-Pauncefote ( qv ) por el cual Gran Bretaña acordó que Estados Unidos debía construir y controlar el canal. 

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, a compromise agreement (signed April 19, 1850) designed to harmonize British and American interests in Central America. Because of its ambiguous language, it became one of the most contentious and difficult treaties in the history of Anglo-American relations. It was the result of negotiations between Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, British ambassador in Washington, and John M. Clayton, U.S. Secretary of State. 

The treaty provided that the two countries should jointly control and protect the canal they hoped soon to build across the Isthmus of Panama. The introductory article of the treaty promised a neutralized Central America, that neither signatory would “occupy, fortify, colonize, assume or exercise dominion over...”. The interpretation of this clause became the subject of a bitter dispute between the two governments. The United States maintained that the promise not to “occupy” required the renunciation by Great Britain of certain interests, namely, a protectorate on the Mosquito Coast, a settlement in British Honduras and the Bay Islands. Britain's counterposition on these matters was that the treaty recognized the status quo. When, after several decades, the canal remained unbuilt, there was a popular demand in the United States for the abrogation of the agreement to make possible a U.S.-controlled canal.

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was finally superseded in 1901 with the conclusion of the second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty ( qv ) by which Britain agreed that the United States should build and control the canal.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, a compromise agreement (signed on April 19, 1850) designed to harmonize British and American interests in Central America. Due to its ambiguous language, it became one of the most discussed and difficult treaties in the history of Anglo-American relations. It was the result of negotiations between Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, British ambassador in Washington, and John M. Clayton, U.S. Secretary of State.

The treaty stipulated that the two countries should jointly control and protect the canal they hoped soon to build across the Isthmus of Panama. The introductory article of the treaty promised a neutralized Central America, which neither signer would "occupy, fortify, colonize nor assume or exercise any dominion over…". The interpretation of this clause became the subject of a bitter dispute between the two governments. The United States argued that the promise not to "occupy" required Great Britain to renounce certain interests, namely, a protectorate on the Mosquito Coast, a settlement in British Honduras, and the Bay Islands. Britain's counterposition on these matters was that the treaty recognized the status quo. When, after several decades, the canal remained unbuilt, there was a popular demand in the United States for the abrogation of the agreement to make possible a canal controlled by the United States. 

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was finally replaced in 1901 with the conclusion of the second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, by which Great Britain agreed that the United States should build and control the canal.