The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-02-25
DOMESTIC.
hEPoRT ON PiRACY.

seataiiass,on The sa9lec. u Piruey.
"The propefil, " authorizing. by ,h,w.
The pursuit ui In. pirates on land, has also
been a subj,ct of consideration. Th- conn
inittsr do not deem an act of Congress for
th,s purpose necessary The rule of inter
na,hmal law Is, thai flgiliv~s fron the
iustlce Of one usiioa are la be sonsidrted
IN anothsraa. Strangers entitled TO prviec-
non, aud having tight ef resid1ncs--o
IN. common prineiLr. that no nation has
right TO punish person Who has not Of
fh,led itself, nor 70 IL bound 10 assist its
neighbour IN the rkernlian Of its criminal
!,ws Pirates nre crifniaais against all
nations, punishable in every tr.bunal the
common pirr,uirs OF mankind The dut, ct
al nations. and every man. IS to hunt then
down, that they may be delivered up 10
offended Justice. Fresh pursuit of enc
mi.s into the territory ofa common friend
is uot nui,crsnll, admitted io be a right ot
Mar. PoN-, lulaalloas never permit fee
me Br,ghbours4o enter their teri TORY Tor
tins purpose but enter with srrnpIr in
pursuit Of their enemies, the territory Of
such neighbours, unless restrained by the
apprehension thai the mutual friend seeks
y iair occasion IL become an ally against
theaa IN ihe war. Practically, the ques
lion IL one nUt of eight ,bui ofrrlatise pow
or. The pursuit of "a mutual enemy into
,he territory Of Il ili"ndl, or allied power,
j. right OF war IL cannot BE- deemed IA
violation of the sovereignty of tina. power
it conters a favour, aud imposes upon HIM
an obligation o.-sfaIitnde.
The common enemy cannot avail him.
self of ihs protection Of the territory 1T the
IA, 4 power, bnl by surfeodering himself
rs prisoner of war (; and, Ia that event, If
ghe force Of the parsuer Was TIA. cause nf
abe surrender, the pursuer might rightfuliy
Claim The benefit OF the surrender Under
TINS rul., the pursuit aud capture Of pirates
any where, and every where, may be JUS |
titled. TIE Executive has acted upon it, !
Instructions have been gwen Ia oar naval |
commanders Ia pursue, and capture on
Spanish territory, pirates who seek refuge |
ar concealnrnt there The government of !
Spain has been duly warned of the sxis !,
itncr of these orders IL knows that they !
will be obey"d. No rrmons,rance has
been made BY II no objections have, Ms
far "a the committee have been informed |
been Urged. The acqueseence Of Spain is
all that should be desired. A Distraction I
10 supposed 10 exist between pursuit OF ri
rates ON lands uniuhabited aud on those in
habitrd aud i, Is imagined that the an
thorlty of Congress is necessary 10 Justify
pursuit III The latter case, while, In the for
ner, the power Of the Executive alone is
sufficient. The committee do not admit |
the correctness OF this distinction. Fresh
pursuit is ju,lifable in eiihe case, if neces
sary ~ The capture of the pirates. There
IL greater dauserufc0llision with the friend
~ po~er, when the object of pursuit nrs
1ato settled country, aud greater care is
requisite To avoid giving offence bat the
same princi lies apply To either easn, and il
10 Just as necessary that Congress should
lcgisat. 10 justify the capture of pirates,
az to aulhnrze the-rursuit Of thfm into
amy place f refuge inhabited ~ unsettled.
From an attentive examination Of The
letters of the agelt who mas sent 10 Cuba
Ia obtain inlol nation relative 10 The pirates
who have long iptestUd The coast oil that is.
land, II ,.ould seem TINT no fresh pursuit. |
on land will eradicate the evil Authority |
must exist 10 search the suspected settle |
nIents ion. persons hel.c'rd 10 be guilty Of
piiAc !, aid for the evidence ot i4elr guilt, !
aud IL hrug them belor,. our Tribunals for /,
trial and punishment, This Authority Con |
press eat,uoi -ste, without maklng war
upon Sraju. VT cannot DE USED without
Hrestiug tiom Spain bcr municipal lu;is
dition. IAe evil les pVo deep to be reach
I'd by any ordinary measures, which for.
elgn. powers can apply ioit
Tue 90, ernmenl OF Spain must give To
the local authority What II 10 said 10 want
--sulhcleni Strength Ia prevent aud Ia pun
lSh cunies 1t must perform It's duties, or
those who suffer ilom It's neglect or weak
ness, anil De drrtn, ny the necessity of The
case, 10 apli! tue corrective. The ommt
Tee would bring more distinctly into view
the only efficient lemedy, and recommend
u resort Ia II, ii they believed sufficient
time had elapsed sincc reulon5trdnees were
made by oar government 10 SPAN, 10
prove ueontrsllbly that she wanted Gather
the power or the viii To do her duty, al
Though they are aware that The conduct of
any government, III applying that remedy,
without previous CONCERT with other ma
tlous, alike Interested in the qu. stiuD, would
he liable 10 misconcsptlon, aud excite well
founded .irtauds,es. The Culnmill-e co
not dodht thai the Executive, applying all
proper nrans Ia prev ent, In detect snd 10
PUNISH, The crime ot piracy, ana pressing
upun SPAN, AVID her local authorities, that
lhr honor And interest of Spain reqAlre
their hest cxpefiIons for / ~ same purpose,
will nol lhl 10 Coulter With the great com
ineIuial nation, ou tlrerstraordinary niea
suIes 10 he used, II Ihe'ohlrc, is moi specdi
~ accomplished by the faithful exer,ion of
ti,e poHersof Spaln.
To gaurd against future injury, the safest
res"uree is To enforce promptly ample 70
dress for that which has been suffered.
The committee have already referred TO
the injuries suffered il consequence of the
M ne d. In .II.II1 lc Mnr-.l..s lh.a. i..iL1ri.s