The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-09 00:00:00

AMERICAN OFFICIAL PAPER.

At this moment the following official letter,
defining the duty of our revenue-officers in re-
gard to the European belligerents, will be read
with great interest:—

CIRCULAR TO THE COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, JULY 30, 1823.

St It—As it is probable that in the progress of the war which
now exists between France and Spain, the public and private
armed vessels of one, and perhaps of both belligerents, may,
by stress of weather, pursuit of enemies, or some other urgent
necessity, be forced to enter the ports and harbours of the
United States, it becomes the duty of the Government to pre-
scribe the manner in which they shall be treated whilst they
remain within its jurisdiction.
As there exists upon this subject no legislative enactment,
the question must be decided by the conventional engage.
ments which the United States have contracted with the belli-
gerent parties.
By the Bth article of the treaty between the United States and
Spain, it is provided that the public and private vessels of
Spain, when forced by stress of weather, pursuit of enemies,
or any other urgent necessity, to seek shelter or harbour, may
enter into any of the rivers, bays, roads, or ports, belonging to
the United States, and shall be received with all humanity, and
enjoy all favour, protection, and help, and be permitted to re-
fresh and provide themselves, at reasonable rates, with provi-
sions and all things needful for the subsistence of their persons,
or reparation of their ships, and prosecution of their voyage; and
they shall be no ways hindered from departing from the said
ports or roads, but may remove and depart when and whither
they please, without any let or hindrance.
With France, the United States have no treaty-stipulations
upon the subject. The obligations of neutrality, however, im-
pose upon them the observance of the same course of conduct
toward both belligerents, unless Spain has a right, by treaty,
to exclusive privileges. A reference to the provisions of the
Uth article of the treaty above recited, proves that no exclusive
privileges have been granted to her. It becomes, then, the
duty of the United States to trest the public and private armed
vessels of both parties in the same manner.
Assuming the provisions of the article referred to, us the
rule by which the conduct of the United States is to be regu-
lated, I ant instructed by the President to direct---
Ist. That the public and private armed vessels of France and
Spain, with their prizes, may, under the circumstances de-
scribed in the said article, enter the ports, harbours, and
waters of the United States, and repair any damages which
they may have sustained e but no increase of arms or muni-
tions of war, or of the number of men on board, can be law,
fully made.
tid. That such prizes cannot be condemned or sold within
the jurisdiction of the United States, and consequently cannot
he admitted to entry us the eastorn-house, nor permitted to
enter into the general consumption.
3d. That they may at any time depart from the United States
without let or hindrance.
4th. That when prize-vessels have been wrecked, or so dis-
abled as not to be rendered seaworthy, their cargoes may be
re-shipped in any other vessel which shall not enjoy an exem_p.
tion from capture, not enjoyed by such prize-vessels. Ftir
example, if France, in the progress of the war, shall conform
to the rule that free vessels make i'ree goods, the cargoes of
vessels captured by either belligerent, when re-shipped in neu-
use' vessels, will enjoy an exemption from capture which the
priz?-vessel dal not enjoy.
sib. During the time that prize-vessels may remain in the
ports of the United States, they shall be subject to such inspee,
Lion, and such superintendence, by the Custom-house offices;
as may be necessary to prevent sentegling of any kind.
The same rules are to be observid in relation to the public
and private armed vessels 01' Spain, and of the independent
GoventrontB established in Spanish America, and their prises,
when brow ;ht within the juitstliction of the- United States—.
I remain, with respect, your obedient servant,
WM. H. CRAWFORIL

ADVANTAGES OP A PENSION.—A son of NO"
tune, a resident in PlymOuth, whose twaddling limbs, forro"d
cheeks, silver locks, and self-confession, award him a sevenLi
years' pilgrimage over the world's wide waste, lately hild Ir,
ill fate to mourn the loss of his better half, the partner of all pl.
cares, and participator in all his joys. Alas! poor dear soctle,,
lay for a considerable time 'ere matters presented a rowl
during the whole of which time, Neptune's dear son was wont td
sprinkle the fast failing cheek of his adored rib with the tot:.
drops of the balm of affection; -nor did his cares stop berce
even to the day when she departed hence to be heard no m_tt
did he continue to alleviate het suffering by administering own;
drops of native cordial to enliven her depressed spirits. 44,21,4
•
day morn, however, having clearly pourtrayed an app,!?4l,'"wc.
close, our rib-lamented veteran became alarmed—" Dun
don't ye, my dearest dear, don't ye die till Tuesday.”„Larre_Aiy,
tender and frequent ejaculations; "don't ye die till -"`—eis
because my pension will be puid then, and I win burlL
y daceinl." Time rolled on, grim Death spared his vicuoti,
and the desired Tuesday catne. The hero of °11:
e',
(which is a positive fact) absented himself to reeoleore,
pension. On his return finding matters much
and Tuesday being arrived, he thought 44 all wasS—fil,
and ordered the attendants to " tie up her "south, ''"'"
bury her daernily." The poor woman, closed her mores.) c_tt
very shortly, and SCRS buried dace:44/,. and the first act o' (g,
hostry-lte-.4ed widower wax to consign one of her /11 of
wowen one) to the thanes, " that he might have "1„.% ter
tea, and comfort himself" In his meditations, g
ccrilfesortothae)atinouggdhatin,
ssotionoto;:eir,toowiklo
bliiitilno:inn;sityhecorilosisrellfedint:
Monday fortnight to espouse this youthful pensioner. ~.."„11
mense crowd followed the ardent, happy pair to and rt.' -the
church, and continued to serenade their dwelling dui-11110
day, the walls of which were, towards night adornedw'
woo
following placard :—Live till Tuesday and bust
patenny."

O
Priutta troi Publittlest fee the Paortuvronit,.:vt/hf -ti x'
OFT!tr.' 114, Strand, by J. B. uiTiti.t"l"