The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-27

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milar view.
In 1920, the Franklin returned TO the
United States and remained in ordinary until
the following year, when she was again fitted
for service in the Pacific, and Commodore
Stewart placed in command. Out Of the re-
volt Of the colonies of Spain, in South Anne
rlca, there had arisen danger TO our CONNER
cial and whaling enterprises in the Pacific,
and on its coasts, which seemed TO admonish
the government that nothing but an imposing
force would avail; yet such was the nature
and dellcacy Of the service, originating in the
attitude of the hostile parties the obligations
OF the United States towards Spain, Zone Of
them) under the laws of nations and treaty
stlpulaions, and on the other hand, the SYM
pathy OF the people of the United States
for the struggling patriots and their cause,
whose independence and power had not vet
been acknowledged with disposition, on
their part, to seize on neutral commerce under
every frivolous pretext, and thereby acquire
the means of carrying on the war while at
the same time, the United States were moi
disposed 10 hazard their peaceful attitude with
either belligerant-this situation called for the
exercise of great discretion, and imposed on
the commander necessity for exhibiting
cient protection TO his fellow-citizens, their
commerce and their property while, at the
same time he had to guard himself against
the misrepresentation of those who, in their
enthusiasm for the cause Of either party to
which they become welded through feelings
or interest had lost sight Of their own honor,
and involved in some measure, that of their
country.
MA Cd
hostile parties, opposing the interests Of the
one, and the high policy Of the other, in
giving advice, countenance, and protection to
his countrymen, and the interests of the
state with no orders save the crude and I'M
defined laws Of nations as his guide, which
one of the parties held as naught, as they
were not vet admitted into the great family of
nations and the other opposed by their policy
and their laws of the Indies, the Commodore
could not be long in discovering the very criti-
cal attitude he had been placed in, the ardu-
GUS duties he had to encounter, and the repu-
tation which he risked on the occasion. To
yield protection was an imperative duty-that
complaints would ensue there was no doubt,
and that the prejudices and sympathies OF his
countrymen, their agents, and the press,
would join in the general clamor, there was
every probability; and that this would lead TO
unpleasant results, he could not question,
knowing how much the General Government
lacked firmness when the general voice i'm
pugned the acts Of their officers, and how
willingly they avoid every responsibility of
the acts of their national forces.-In thus
casting a glance at his perplexing position,
he determined on his course-that which
patriotism, duty, and honor, alone could point
out. To yield every protection, to break down
lawless blockades, and with them the Patriots
preteatS for plundering and sweeping our
commerce from the Pacific sea, TO interpose
his forces and efforts in the restraining Of the
piraces and robberies of the buccaneers
claiming the protection of the Spanish flag,
The following letter was written in con-
formity with the foregoing principles, to Gen.
Sucre, the Civil and Military Commander-in-
chief
u S. Ship Franklin, Calico Bay,
July a. 1923.
To His Ercellency, General Suere,
Girl and Military Confirm Chief at Calico
The letter your Excellency did me the
honor to write me on the eighteenth instant,
in reply to mine of the thirteenth ultimo, has
been duly received. 1t does not, perhaps,
belong to me TO discuss the principles your
Excelency contends for, with respect to the
declared blockade of the western coast OF
Peru by the Patriot Government; it may
only belong to me to notify my respectful pro-
test against its illegal and curious operations,
so far as the commerce Of the Republic of
North America is concerned, and In COM
pliance with my orders to guard 1t against
those effects, leaving the principles and points
contended for to the discussion of the two
Governments. But the Government Of Peru
may have been led into an error on that sub
iect, by the infraction Of those principles of
the laws of nations, during the late wars In
Europe, between France and England, and
then for the first time adopted by Great Britain,
and, as your Excellency states not opposed
by her commanders on this station II |
bring TO the notice Of your excelency some
important facts, out of the strict line of duty
attached to my command, hope and
trust your Exceency will do me the favor to
believe that it only originates in strong
desire to guard our respective rights, and to
preserve lasting harmony between the Co
vernments. ..
After the commencement of hostilltes
between Great Britain and France in '92,
so long as it was the interest of England,
and during the existence Of the marine OF
several European powers, that government OBJ
served and applied the principles of the laws
of nations to all the blockades instituted
But when she had destroyed, in turn, the
marine of the other European powers, her
policy was then changed. International law
was rejected, honor and common honesty
were abandoned; power gave right and