Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-10

perfectly unsuitable in making good my threat TO
burn the town. If it had been ransoned by suita
bic concessions, and promise, on the part OF the
authorities, TO pursue in future, different course
| from the one that caused my visit there.
| As the allies of Spain against the common enemy,
we had a right to its countenance and support, to
the extent of its means, in pursuit of pirates we had
right, allies to the territorial boundaries OF
Spain TO pursue them; and in doing SO, there was
no cause for offence on the part of Spain, the OBJ
ject being lawful and usual; and resistance, there
FORE 10 the exercise of this right, became an Of
fence the part of Spain, and injury 10 US, of
which we have right to complain, and 10 obtain
redress.
Vattel, Book I'd, CHI Cd, sec. 10Th, says, &c Moth
ing is more opposite the duties OF humanity, nor
more contrary 10 the society which should be cu-
tivated by nations, than offences, actions, which
give just displeasure to others; every nation,
therefore, should avoid giving any real ofence--I
say real; for, should be who manifests dsplea-
sure at our behavior, when we only using our
tights, or fulfilling duties, he is to blame, not
We"
| According to Tattel, not only Foxardo mo-
only Porto Rico, but Spain herself, is ansyerable
Tor the conduct OF her subjects and, If s. fails 10
restrain their inischevous and base attempts, lays
herself liable to the punishment those who
did the injury, and it is the duty of all nations TO
unite in treating her as the common enemy of man
kind For years past we have been suffering I'M
injuries we nave received from the people
and authorities of Porto Rico, and redress has
been obtained from the mo her country; more per-
haps from inability restrain and control her colo
MES, than from any want Of will her part 70 do
us Justice. Porto Rico must therefore, be consi-
dered IN measure independent OF Spain, far that
Spain cannot, or will not, prevent repetition Of
the injuries which have been the subject of com
plant from We, therefore, have right 10 use
the means we have of obtaining redress or Of in
flictng punishment on her for injuries, atonemen
for which is withheld from US; and il is the duty Of
all nations TO unite with US, 10 treat The peopleo
Porto Rico as the enemies of the human race
| Vattel, Book I'd, oh. 9th, Sec "a. " In short
there is another case where the nation in general l.
guilty of he base atteTnp. OF is members. This is
when, by its manners or the naxims of it's govern
nent, it accustoms and authorizes its citizens to
plumber ard i'll foreigners indifferently or 10
make inroads into the neighboring countries, Sc.
Thus The nation OF the Usbecks is guilty of all the
robberes committed bv the individuals of which it
rs composed. The Princes, whose subjects are rob
bed and nassacred, and whose lands infested by
'hese robbers, may justly punish the entire nation.
What do say?-all nations have right to enter
into league against such people, to repress them
and TO treat them as the common enemies of the
human race"
i A nation or people, then, known TO be of a base
and mischevous character, WHO have been in the
frequent habit of making injurious attempts, such
as the Barbary Powers, and the people and autho-
, rifles of Porto Rico and who, by policy, manners
or maxims OF government, encourages, accustoms,
and authorizes its citizens TO depredate the pro-
perty of Others not only justifes reprisal, but au
thorizes the nations injured by them 10 provide for
their own security by Furnishing the offender; by
tintiicting punishment on him calculated TO defer
him from like attempts, and lettering Others. IL
has right to use every honest attempt prevent
! evil to itself, even by anticipating the machina-
tons of the people power engaged in opposition
To- nd IF fba~
injure it.
The following quotation is so full on the subject
that deem it unnecessary 10 offer any thing more
in justification and in support of the principles a.
dop'ed by myself, except to show that, what a ma
ton may do, may he done, and has often been done
by individuals acting the presumed wishes of the
government to which they belong.
Vatte, Book 21d, chap. 4th. sec sc. " It is
safest TO prevent the evil, when it be done. A
nation has a right 10 resist injurious attempt and
to make OF force and every honest means against
the pow that is actually engaged in opposition TO
! IT, and even 10 anticipate its machina ions, always
! observing not 10 attack 1t upon vague and uncer-
tain suspicious, in order 10 avoid exposing itself to
| become an UNJUST aggressor. When the evil is
done, the same right of security authorizes the Of
! fender to endeavour TO obtain complete repara-
! ton and, it necessary, to employ force for that
purpose"
g In short, the offended has right to provide
|
o!fe1der by innictng on him pain capable of de-
terrinr him afterwards from the like attempts, and OF
intirndating those who shall be tempted to initiate
MIN. lie may even if necessary put the aggressor
out Of the condition to niure him. He makes use
Of his right in oil these measures, when guided by
reason; and, il any evil results from it to him who
lays him under the necessity of acting thus, he
accuse none tut his own injustice"
! If, then, there is, any where, nation OF rest
less aud mlschievous disposition, always ready to-
iniure others, 20 their designs, and raise
have a right 10 join in order to repress, chsstise,
and put il ever after out OF its power 10 injure
| them
| In Book Sd, chap 18th, sec 22s, Vauel lays It
! down as a general principle, " That there oc-
casons " len the subject may reasonably suppose
the sovcregn's will, and act in consequence Of his
tact commands" II vasthis principle that sutho-
rized and justified Commodore Dale 10 commence
hostiliiies against the Trpoitans, in 1901 when il
was believed that was intended by then; nci-
ther Commodore Dale nor Captain Sicrret the Off
Ger who made the FIRST capture, censured, but
to the contrary were highly applauded; and the
latter received the thanks of Congress, ard sword,
although at the time, ygar had not been declared
gainst Trpoli 1t was this principle that auiho-
risod and justified Commodore Rodgers in blockad-
ing the port of Tunis, and forcing the Bsy TO
terms, and afterwards drawing his ships up before
the batteries at Tangier, and threatening hosiites
to the Emperor Of Morocco, il the year 1905. II
| also auti orized aud justified Commodore Decatur,
in threatening hos,iliiies to the Bey Of Tuns, and
the Bashaw Of 1hpoli, in the year 1916, and fore
ing them 10 restoye large amounts OF money, taken
from our citizens. Neither of these officers were
censured for conduct which they helreved to be in
accordance with the wishes Of the nation, although
the United States had not declared wsr against