Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-27


calculated to prevent to mitigate the
those great scourgcs they will present themselves to
the general acceptance with an union of irresistible
recommendations Both those qualities are believed
to be possessed by the maritime principles for which
the United States have commended and especially
throughout The whole period of the late European
wars. - TIE President wishes you to bring forward
those principles occasion so ausbicio,is as that
is anticipated to be of the Congress of Panama. I'M
controlled power, whatever clement it is excrted
is prone TO great abuse. But it is still more liable
to abuse on the sea, than on the land, perhaps be-
cause it is there exercised beyond the presence of
impartial spectators, and, therefore, with but little
moral restraint resulting from the sautary influence
of pubic opinion, which, if applied at ALL las always
to DC subsequently, and consequently less ecacous
y applied. The moral cognsance. when it comes to
be taken, finds. too, moro doubtful or contested
state OF fact than ifthe theatre had been where there
Scre more numerous and less prcudiced witnesses.
At all times there has existed more inequality in the
distribution among nations, of maritime than of ter
lritoria power. In almost every age, some one has
had the complete mastery the ocean, and this su-
pcrior,ty has been occasionally great as to more
than coVnterbaiancc the combined maritime force
ct all oer nations, if such combination were pr2c
tcabe. But when rglc nation finds itself posses
sedcfa power any where, which one nor all other
nations, can successfully check or counterval, the
consequences arc too sadly unfollcd in the pagcs of
history Such nation grows Prcsumptuous, irrpa-
ent OF contradiction opposition ard finds the So
luton Of national problems easier and more grateful
Ito It's pride, by the sword, than by the slow and less
process Of p,Jicllt lNNeStrltlO. II the
riority be the ocean, the excuses in the abuses of
that power become ntolerable. Although in the ar
rangeinent of things, security against oppression
should be the greatest where it is most likely to be
often practised, 1t is nevertheless remarkable that
the progress of enlightened civilization has been
much more advanced on the land than on the ocean
And, accordingly personal rights, and especially those
CT property ia e both safety and protection on the
ormcr which they do not enjoy the latter clement
Scarcely any circumstance would now tend more to
eXat the character of America, than that of uniting
Its endeavorS to bring up the of civilizations
as applied to the ocean TO the same forward noint
which has attained on the land and thus rcndernp
men and their property secure against all human in
justice and violence, leave them exposed only to the
action of those storms and disasters sufficiently peri
lous, which comprclcndcd in the Gspensations of
Providence.
1t is under Tie influence fthesc and similar con-
deratlons, that you will b.g forward, at the con-
tempiated Congress, the proposition to abolish war
against private property and -combatants upon
the ocean Private property of an enemy is pro
tected when on land from seizure and coniisca-
ton. Those who do not bear arms there are
not disturbed in their vocations. Why should not
the same humane exemptions be extended to the
sea? lfmerchandise in warehouse on shore re-
mains unmolested amidst the ravagas of modern war
can any good reason be assigned for allowing the
same merchandise, when transferred a ship which
is penceaby navigating the ocean, to be an object of
legitimate capture and condemnation? IF artisans
and husbandmen are permitted without hindrance
to pursue their respective cul!ings, why should not
distribute the productions their industry in exclan
gcs for the common benefit of mankind This has
been object Which the United States have had
much at heart ever since they assumed their Mace
among the nations. More than forty years ago, Dr.
Franklin, one ottheir most enlightened and success
tul ministers, thus expressed hiiscE sit is time it
IS high time, for the sake of humanity, that stop
were put to this enormity. The United State, of
America, though better situated than any European
nation, to make profit by priyaeerinG, arc as fa rs
IN them lies endeavoring to abolish the practice by
offering, i'll oil their treaties with other powers an
article engaging Solemny that, in case OF future war
privateer shall be commissioned on either side
and that unarnled merchant ships on both sides shall
pursue their voyages unmolcsted. This viii he a
happy Improvement of the law of nations Tho llu-
name and the at cannot but wish general success to
the proposition" What the sagncious forecast of
that ilustrious man enabled him to anticipate at
that early day of national existence, has been
fully confirmed in subsequent progress. We are
better situated than any other nation, and, i'll the
event Of war, we now have ample means to enable
to make profit by prvateerng; but faithful to our
principles, now otter, IN mGturer and stronger
condition. the same stpulations which were offered
by Franklin and other American negotiators, but
which might then have been attributed to our infan-
cy and weakness.
II, by the common consent ofnatons, private pro-
perty the longer liable to capture as
lawful prize of war, the principle that free ships
should make free goods would lose its Importance !
by being merged i'll the liberal and extensive
rule. But, Judging from the slow progress ofciviliza-
ton III It's operation, on the practices OF and the
tenacity with which power clngs to advantages
which it conceives itself to possess it would be tool
much TO indulge any very sanguine hope ola speedy
universal concurrence in total exemption of all pri-
vate property from capture Some nations may be
prepared TO admit the limited, who would withhold
their assent from the comprehensive principle
You will, therefore, also propose the adoption of the
rule, that free ships shall make free goods and It's
converse, that nnical ships shall make nirnical
goods The one seems necessarily to follow from
the ether, ard in their practical application there is
simplicity and certainty in both, which strongly re-
commend them to general adoption. Both operate
in favor Of neutrality, and thus present new dissua
sive to nations from rashly engaging in war; 1t will
occur, ofcourse to you, to insert provision restrc
ting the operation of these principles to those nations
which shall agree to observe them. %
You viii propose definition Of Blockade The |
experience of the United States and thar some of
the American nations, short has been the term
Of teir cxistencc alike ndcatc the nLliity ola rIa