American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-08-22
INTERESTING OFFICIAL PAPER

INTERESTING OFFICIAL PAPER.
| At this moment, the following official Letter, de
6nng the duty OF our Revenue officers in regard to
the European Belligerants, will be read with great
interest: Nat Intel.
! Circular to the Collectors of Customs.
/ IRE .suRY DEPARTMENT, ,
| SOth July, 1898.
| SIR AS it is probable that, in the progress OF
1.-THE War which now exists between France and
Spain, the public and private armed vessels Of one
and perhaps of both begerants, may, by stress oil
weather, pursuit Of enemies, some other urgen,
nece ssity, be forced erer the ports and harbos
OF the United States, 1t becomes the duty of the
Government to prescribe the manner in which they
shall be treated whilst they remain within its iu-
risdiciion
| AS there exists upon this subject, no Legislative
lenactment, the question must be decided by the
conventional engagements which The United States
have contracted with the bellgeraDt parties.
BY the 9Th 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 harbor, may
enter into any of the rivers, bays, roads, or ports
belonging to the United States, and shall be reciev-
ed with all humanity, and enjoy all favor. protec-
ton, and help, and be permitted to refresh and pro.
vide themselves at reasonable rates. with provisions
and all things needful for the subsistence oil their
persons reparation of their ships and prosecution
Of their voyage and they shall be ways hindered
from departing from the said ports roads, but
may remove and depart when and hther they
please without any let or hiderance.
| With France, the United States have no treaty
stipuiatious upon the subject. The obligations OF
neutrality, however, impose upon them the obser-
vance Of the same course Of conduct toward both
helligerans, unless Spain has right, by treaty to
executive privileges. reference to the provisions
of the 9th article of the Treaty above reced proves
that no exclusive privileges have been granted to
her. 1t becomes, then, the duty of the United
States treat the public and private armed vessels
| Of both parties in the same manner.
1 Assuming the provisions OF the article referred to-
as the rule by which the conduct of the United
States is to be regulated am instructed by the
\ President to direct:--
4 LIST. That the public and private armed vessels o.
France and Spain, with their prizes, may, under
1.-The circumstances described 10 the said article, en-
liter the ports, harbors, and waters, of the United
Estates, and repair any damages which they may
have sustained; but no increase of arms or mu
nitions OF war, or of the number of men on board
lean be lawfully made.
Il end That such prizes cannot be condemned o.
sold within the jurisdiction of the United States
and, consequently, cannot be admitted to entry a
1.-THE custom houses, nor permitted to enter into thu
) general consumption.
: Sd That they may, at any time depart from th'
u United States, without let or intolerance.
J 4,h. That, when prize vessels have been wreck
ed, or so disabled not to be rendered sea-worthy
their cargoes may be reshipped in any other vesse
which shall not enjoy an exemption from capture
] not enioyed by such prize vessels. For example
lie France, in the progress ofthe war, shall conform
y to the rule that free vessels make free goods, IN
tIcargoes of vessels captured by either bellgerani
when reshipped 10 neutral vessels, will enjoy an ex
Iemp,ion from capture which the prize vessels d
not enjoy.
main in The ports of the United States they shal
he subject to such Inspection and such superinten
,dence, by the custom house officers as may be ne
$ lcessary 10 prevent smuggling of any kind.
II The same rules are to be observed in relation t.
c the public and private armed vessels OF Spain ant
, of the Independent governments established II
a Spanish America, and their prizes, when brough
/ within the jurisdiction Of the United States.
Iremain. with respect, your obedient servant
VIM. H. CRAWFORD.