Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-12-31
FsIDAr. December 30. 1906.

FsrDAr. December 90. 1895.
DR.. Logan observed that agreeably to notice.
re asked leave TO bring forward a bin IL prcyens
Commercial intercourse between the u. States
,f America and the French Island of St. Do
riingo Dc. L. observed that the attention of
congress had been called 10 this subjed by the
President of the United States at the commence
n'ent of the last session Of congress in the fol
lowing words: While noticing the irregula
rites committed ON the ocean by others. those
on our own part should not be omitted, nor left
unprovided for. Complaints have been rccciy
cd that pcrsons residing within the United States
have taken on themselves 10 arm merchant
vessels. and 10 force eor,mercc into certain
ports and countries in defiance of laws of
those countries: that individuals Should Under
take to wage priva.e war, independently of TIE
of their country, cannot be permitted
in web ordered society. Its tendency 10 mo.
duce aggressions on the laws and rights of other
nations, and to cndanger the peace of our ovn
Is so obvious that doubt not you will adout
nneasures for restraining it eHedualy in future"
The first complaint alluded to in the message Of
the president, is aletter addressed to the Sccrc-
tary of State by rhe envoy of Great B,i,ain, da
ted on the 3lst of August, 1904. in which he
obsetves." have received information respcs
ing several vesse,s which have of late been ann.
ca in. and have sailed from the different ports of
the u. States. some loaded with articles contra
band of war (gurpowder is said to be the gene
raj article Others with cargoes ocinnocent goods
and Others again in ballast After the diliyent
enquiry which II has been my duty to make on
50 important a'snhiea l think thar can have
the honor Of stating 10 you with certainty. that
several vessels of The above description, which
are mentioned 10 be schooner ricged have sail
cd lately frou, the rort of Baltimore. whiiss
thers OF aiarser size. even ships of considera
bic burhsn, and completely equipped for wa,
nave sailed from the port Of Philadelphia, Sound
10 the possessions of his n,aesty's enemies IN he
sast as well as West Indies i, is said the oh
ia of some of these equipments is 20 force
f''ne With TIE blacks in the island of ST DO
m'ngo- in which ATTEMPT the public prints have
Ststed so eireurissantiaiiy, as TO leave no doub,
on the subject, thar two American vessels have
peen captured By French cruisers, after making
1ss,s'aucc. Blu: have strong reason to believe
'i'at the destination of others particularly from
tne pom OF Philadelphia have. been with G. r-,es
OF contrabsnd articles TO the ,enemies possessions
in the East and West Indies,
% Let Decentralization, however, be what they
n'ay II. Cannot, conceive. bet be Justly consi
desed, that sush arTaaments, on the par, Of the
oisiztnsef neusralstate, mus, be attended with
consequences prejudicial to bcIligeren, mower.
and may, therefore, be deemed tightly as often
sives for which season tho law of nations has
s'assd one of me iSyt obligations Of neusraiity
10 b tiiatcf absainiBg from all participation in
~zr'ihe expeditions The armed vessels ali,,
ded 10. may bec,me the properly Of the kings
ene'ries either b. capiuIe at sea, or by purchase
IN the ports 20 which they are destined, a ma are
thus in readiness TO be converted Immediately
mo instruments ofhostiIi;y against his majesty
whilst in another poirs of view, they are ezlc,l.
'lted TO protef the vessels when they are loaded
with contrahand articles against the laafui
search And detention Of a lawful commissioned
,ruizcr when the Is'ier shall be of infcsior fcYee
Indeed I conceive. ,hst it may not be giving roo
great an extent TO the principle Of the law of ma
lions without attending to the nature of the
cargo, 10 consider the very arms. ammunition &c
ether implements OF war, with which such yes-
sells are Furnished az conrrauand articles when
the vessels have been thus equipped wi,hou, the
authority Of he nation to which they belong
al understand, SIR, that the armznnenrs IN
question have In faa taken place n .dsr no com
mission or aurhority Whatever from the govern
nIent OF the u. Staies,I have therefore thought
itry duty 10 have the honor Of making you ac
1uainted wiih the information thathas reached
ne On this suhica, and ifthe observations which
I have taken The liherfJ TO make upon IL sl,opid
happily be co,fornAbie 20 the sentiments oEtbo
American gdve,nmsnt, ] can safely trust 70 their
justice, as well as 70 ,leir Jealousy of Observing
the most stri& neutrality in the present war. 10
take such reasusss as 81 all appear to them the
most proper for supervising tire Illegal proceed
ings complained of on the part of those ind;vi
3uals citizens of the u States, who shall an
pear 10 be concerned IN the,ae
In letter from the charge dsffaires of France
dared the 7th Of May, 1865, AVID addressed 20
the Secretary Of State, ne observes, % The nm
'dersgncd is informed in a manner which leaves
him no room to doubt tt, thar the American ner.
chants, who pursue this commerce (ncaning the
commerce with St. DoFdingo) publicly arm in the
ports OF the u. States, We sells which are intend
ed TO support ~ force ratio contrary 10 the
law OF nations, aud to repe the efforts which The
crpizers of toe French republic are authorised to
make in order 70 prevent il. These armanen,s
have also for their objea TO cover the corvey.
ance Of munitions 20 the yevoltcd Of tina. COLONY
The government Of the United States cannon be
ignorant Of these fats which are pubic; the
consequences thereof have already been mani
tested in the West Indies. where the rpbc "a
peTs advise tina, there have been Actions between
the French cruisers and American vessels carry
ing on ihiscomUserce In considering the RAJ,
ter merely under The view ef the law OF nztiona.
II is manifest that American citizens under the
very eyes OF their government. carry on a mi
vaie and piraiiczl war against power with
which the U. States are at peace The under.
signed would be wanting in his duty if he did NOT
vindicaie, under such circumstancc, the rights
and dignity of mis- government, wh;cI, are ooen.
y iniuTed, ani f he did not cali the attention oe