The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-12-23
REnAExs os THE PErsIDKs-'s MrssAeE,
(C0ntinaed)

~~@
RENARxs oS THE PRKsIDRsT's MrssAeE,
(consinsssd.)
On the subject Of abolishing privateering,
system Of licensed freebootinE, we trust none
win be found, in this age Ok enlightened human
ity, unwilling 20 support the benevolent propo-
sition Of the President. II is to be hoped that
among the calculations Of injuries that may be
done by belligerents 20 each other, this most de-
moralizing practice Of robbery On the highway VI
nations, win not hereafter Ne included III IN
now, perhaps, a. favorable a season a. any which
has occurred since the establishment Of this a.
buse Of warfare, TO ascertain what can be done
by union Of the maritime powers, towards
preventing the recurrence Of this scourgu which
falls 50 heavily upon unofending individuals
Nor can we doubt Of success In This object, when
we have witnessed the progress Of what was
once considered so hopeless, the abolition Of
the slave trade
The supposed violation OF the law Of nations
In the person OF our minister ID Spain, n rot,
perhaps, point Of much Importance, whether
we consider the individual case, or its probable
consequences. The best authority cited on this
occasion, Vattsl, seems to disprove the doctrine
advanced in the message. The following pas
sage is sufficiently explicit
War introduces other rights. N allows W.
70 cut on from an enemy ali his resources, To-
hinder him from sending ministers 10 solicit as
sistanee There are even occasions when the
ministers OF neutral nation, going 70 an enemy.
may Be refused a passogs. There i no Obligation
Of suffering them to carry 20 him, perhaps salu-
tary iniormauons, and 10 concert measures fcr
assisting him This admits Cf n0 doubt, far INV
stance ~ case Of bensged lo1n no right can a-g-
thorise the minister Of neutral posrer, nor any
other person whatsoever, TO 20 into Il uthouf ne
tssegsr's leoUe; but 10 prevent offence, good
reasons must be given 10 sovereigns for this re-
tusel Of letting their ministers pass, and with
such they are 70 be satisfied, IL they are disposed
% continue neutral Book ivi chap. v Sect.
The conduct the French officer might have
been diseourteous, and unnecessary TO the al
tainnent Of any object expected from the block
sde, but Il y not 20 easy to prove Il contra
vention Of neutral rights
Of our finances we have very aatterinr &C.
count; and here it may be well to inquire con-
corning the course Of policy to which we are
indebted for such hourishing condition Of the
National Treasury. II cannot h. denied that
from commercial and agricultural prosperity har
this abundant revenue been principally derived.
In this view il would seem part Of prudence
IN those, who would hazard the experiment Of
an entire new tariff, to pause a moment before
they overturn a well established system, from
the operation Of which the government haa been
enabled to meet every fiscal engagement. Tor fhr
purpose Of Introducing a new and untried
scheme OF imaginary improvement. We have
no objection TO such changes a. may afford eve
ry reasonable encouragement 10 domestic in-
dustry but we should always wish these irno-
vations 20 De made with caution, prudence, and
gradually. We wish to see no sacrifice of ons
branch Of industry to the triumph Of another.
nor that such important measures should be =.
doP'ed or abandoned with precipitancy that
can give no hope or security III the general ~.
terests Of widely extended empire.
Connected with this subject. should ~ 60.
s'oered the ways and means Cor our government
to meet It's engagements with creditors. h.,he
close Of the Spanish Commission. Eve millions
ot dollars must be provided 10 cancel The claims
SLOWED under that commission from fbe uation-
" treasury and - che end of the year 1879. ~
large portion Of the public debt viii become
due To meet these demands, after exhsustirr
what cash may Be found in the treasury. leans
must r. resorted 20 in some shape or other. Ha
new tariff should reduce the receipts from Frn-
posts internal TAXATION becomes Inevitable for
oans cannot be Obtained, even " TIE beri ryr-
mated ana most stable governments. vithout