The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-19 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1856.

As we long since anticipated the Government
of the United States have distinctly and positively
refused to sanction the four principles of the
declaration so improvidently and unnecessarily
made, or rather participated in, by the Earl of
CLARENDON, as British Plenipotentiary at the
Parisian Conferences. As this declaration should
be accepted or rejected in its integrity, without
change or modification, this decision of the
Prznon-MAncv CAbinet is tantamount to a direct

refusal to be bound by these propositions. The
Pri►ateering system is that which the President
will not consent to abolish, under any circum-

stances short of the complete exemption of the
property of the subjects or citizens of a bellige-
rent on the high seas, except it be contraband.
He still clings to the piratical practices by which
persons may engage in a quarrel in which they
are in no degree concerned, for the sole purpose
of plundering peaceful and unarmed vessels.
The practice is so much in accordance with
'Yankee taste that it could not be surrendered
unless England were also to relinquish the
power of crippling RR enemy's commerce—the
last remaining point that can maintain her pre-
stige or rank in the scale of nations.
It is almost needless to say that such a pro-
position cannot for a moment be accepted. Even
the present Government could net listen to or
discuss the suggestion. They have already gone
to the utmost length of their tether, in criminally
and wantonly surrendering the chief sources of
our maritime supremacy which have been
termed by our jurists " incmlestable rights ;"
anti which our most distinguished Admiral de-
clared we would " sacrifice onr last ship, our
last seaman, and our last shilling," rather than
relinquish. Not satisfied, however, with this
extraordinary disinterestedness on our parts,
General PIERCE goes still further, and, like the
dog in the fable, surrenders the substance in
grasping at the shadow, which he can never
seriously hope to obtain.
The despatch of Mr. MARCY in reference to
those points will be found in another part of this
day's impression. It is a lengthy document,
drawn up in strict ,accordance with Yankee logic
—that is to say, with a total disregard of every
principle of equity and justice when opposed to
American interests. What is favourable to itself
—what it fruitlessly struggled to attain in bygone
days, when there were really British Statesmen
and British officers, it willingly accepts. But it
will give no consideration therefor—will not
yield a single particle of what may put money
into the pockeks of its own citizens who may
choose to engage in speculations based on
robbery of the worst description. This right it
declares to be essential to "the freedom of the sea."
As well might it be said that highway rob-
bery is essential to the liberty of the road.
Of course, if belligerent Powers are engaged'
in hostilities, the vessels of the one may
capture or destroy the vessels of the other,
and the right of so doing may be the most
efficient means of bringing the opponent to
reason. But filibusters or sympathisers, who
look only to X, s. d., and the value of the booty
they may attain, without regard to the equity or
justice of the operation, are the common enemies
of mankind, and should be cut off on all occasions
as pirates and robbers of the worst description.
Indeed the line of demarcation between piracy
and privateering is so very slight, and so lightly
regarded, that the successful crews are generally
ready to mount the black flag, and to place
friends and foes in the same category whenever
they can do so with a prospect of impunity—a
matter which is generally accomplished by the
wholesale removal of every witness, according to
old buccaneering maxim, that " dead men tell
no tales."
It would not be an American document if a
slight touch of bravado were wanting. Mr.
MARCY acoordingly indulges a little in the accus-
tomed vein, by
an implied menace to all
,Powers
who shall not treat privateers visiting their ports
with the utmost consideration and forbearance.
They must be treated, even by the Powell who