Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-09-21

rom tins .Ririi in which they con,msnceI II. 4 hare
dessied irpm the prosecution if they had heiiev ed
that public opinion and the laws would have ju--
uhed them In coniiAuinSr What reason then have
they Tor heir appsren, cruelty to those poor men
who were ignorant of the laws even If they had
violated them, and who il is evident had inten,
too oil doing so. and wherein consists my offence
Tor explaining and pointing out to them their
'tShfS, that they might no longer be liable to in
volve themselves in difficulties and aduce the
officers of the Uniiel States (no doubt from
sense Ul duty 10 arrest ard imprison them.
DAVID PORTER
lnndbill has been put in circulation in this
city under the sanction of a name OF some dis
tinctlon, especially with seamen; which 10 pre-
vent err neous and dangero Impressions on the
inconsiderate that might be s-rengt heneG by ST.
lence in the public prosecutor, L deem it my
du,y briefly to notice.
1t is well kno that Mexican brig of war
has Tor some weeks been lying of the Balize, and
for the most part at anchor, within our waters. -
For this Indulgence she has undoubtcd claim
on our hospitality, neutral nation whe
'heI Tor repair or damages OF war, whether, for
supply oil provisions, refIeshment of her
crew But these permitted objects mark the liz
miis OF this Indulgence. And however the cause
Tor which they are at war may entitle them TO "ur
synPa'hiss and there is no American VII does It
ee! and confess hen) sail 80 long this nation
nains within the pale of neutrality, this neutral
port cam under no pre'ext, be converted, directly
or Indirectly, into recruiting station ioI augment
ing the force OF their warlike bands.
Certain Irregularities of this dss criptisn, iupu-
ted TO persons resident W thin this city, have al.
ready given rise To prosecutions against Them for
an attempted breach Of the neutrality of their coun-
ny AMI Tor which in due time, they will be cali
Ell 10 answer at its bar
The repu,ed Trainer OF the handbill in question,
apparently alluGng TO these Irregularities and as
crbing them TO an " ORANGE of the laws, as to
what II and is permitted 10 be done; and un
defiaking to distinguish in this respec, the relative
rShts and duties OF neuirals and belligerents pub
sicly invites not merely Mexican seamen, but al
foreigners indiscrmnately within our Jurisdictions
20 array themselves under bis popular standard a
sainst nation with which we al peace, and
towards which our nentraliy is guaranteed by a
Feaiy, and guarded by municipal enactments
> or inns erroneous gloss upon The LAWS, not Co
speak OF the Invitation also t. citizens and of he
genera! aspect Of such paper IN a neutral mort
and ior the sake Il those who might otherwise
heedIessIy encounter he penalties of the law
reluctantly resort 10 his public notice and will
take leave 10 remind then, that like TIE allegiance
uue rom ci'iZens, a temporary allegiance is due
also from foreigners residing all under the pro
teciion and authority oil our laws, except ONLY So
TAR as they are released from he Obligation r II
by The laws themselves. The Laws have SO far
relaxed that Obligation in favor OF certain foreisn
ers as 10 permit "any subject or citizen of anv To-
reign prince, state, or colo"y, district or peopIe
who shall transienly be within lie Uniied State.
and shall, on board OF any vessel IF war le,er of
msrqne. or privsteer, which at the time of its
val IN the United States, was fitted and ,ouinDed
as such. to enlis, or enter himself ~ hire oT ,ai
smother suhJec or citizen OF The for ean prinre
STATE colony district, "r people who is transienty
within the United States, % enlist or en,sr Nm,
cen 10 serve such foreign prince, stale, colony.
district, Or people on board such vessel of war
letter OF marque, or prvateer, if the United States
shall then be at peace with such foreign n,irce
power, state, colony, district, or peopIe - Bu,
'his Is the next extent TO which FOREIGNERS within
our jiIlsdcti-'al limit are free from the obI-a-
ZION OF the laws OF neutrality. If beyond this eY
ceruon' any foreigner venture where citizens are
forbidden TO be Concerned wi hin our ;urisl,ctior
either milling 0ut and drming or G,,g,oe,t;,,o ,5
force ~ any Uessei Of car letter of rugcote ne 49,
odteeT' TO cruise at sea against a nation at nsaca
WIN U.s. ~ or TO enlist or enter himself or hire ,
retain another person TO ealist or enter himself or
10 go beyond The limits jurisdiction of the III,
ted States, with intent to be enlisted or 4n,esJ =;
me service Of any foreign prince, state. colonv.
dis'TIc', or people, a soldier. or as marine =,
eeNinan on board OF any vessel of war, Ieu.r
marquee or prlVateeT, every person so Offending
snail be deemed guilty of high u1i-demeauor: .n9
snail be h"ed not exceeding one thousand dol.
iar@, and 10 be imprisoned not exceeding ,brs.
years. '"'e
That no mistake may exist on this subject. re-
Ter 10 the Fl. 81 and 4th sections nj he -, ~
congress oil the 10Th OF APpl. 1919; 81. add
non 10 he acl Tor The punishment OF certain crimes
against the United States, and to repeal the &C.,
therein mentioned (voI. 9 . 800, c. 3TO In
gersoIs Abridg. SOY frem which [ have ci,eJ.
am winch are exact transcripts of The cor e-pord-
ing sections OF the ACT of Congress or June g. l7o4
NVo, q $50 except the addition of the VOID
e"'"hS' a!str'ct, or people and which have
never since ceased 10 be in force
j. w. SMITH,
United States DIST .att'y.
Rev Orleans, August Is, 1927.
The import OF these words, if they ever could
De reasonably doubled has been long since settled.
Sy uec'S'ohs OF the Supreme Court OF the United