The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-09-25

lie a01llltS tHat OoNeIIihcut called linn,
to consider its own rights, interests, P p'a
duties, when civil wars break out in o,b..
countries, may decide on all the circums,,'
ces of the particular case, upon its own .,
listing stipuIations, on probable results IN
what its own security requires, and on mo,'
other considerations. 1t may be a)rea%.
bound to assist one party, or it may bccom.
bound, if it so chooses, to assist the o,Ae
and to meet the consequences of such as,
stance.
But whether the revolt be recent or I'm,
continued, they who join those concerned 3
it. whatever may be their offence again.,
their own country, or however they be tr4,
ed. iftaken with arms in their hands in fl.
territory of the Government against which
the standard of revolt is raised, cannot b.
denominated pirates, without departing from
all ordinary use of language in the de6D.
tion of offences. A cause which has 50 Gu
an origin as piracy cannot, in its progress
ar by its success, obtain claim to any de-.
gree of responsibility, or tolerance anon,
nations; and civil wars, therefore, are not
understood to have such commencement
It is well known to Mr. Fox that author.
tiles of the highest eminence in England
living and dead, have maintained that the
general law of nations docs not forbid the
citizens or sub iects of Government from
taking part in the civil conmotons of anOth.
cr There is some reason lnde' d, to think
that such may be the opinion of Her Mats.
ty Government at the present M meDt.
The undersigned has made these remarks,
from the conviction that it is important TO
regard established Distinction, and to view
the acts and offences Of individuals in The
exactly proper light. But it is not to be in.
terred that there is, on the part of this Gov.
ernment, any purpose of eXtenuatlng, in the
slightest degree, the crimes of those persons
citizens of the United States, who have
Joined in military expeditions against the
British Government in Canada. On the
contrary, the President directs the under
signed to say that it is his fixed resolution
that all such disturbers of the national peace
and violators Of the laws of their country
shall be brought to exemplary punishment
Nor will the fact that they are inssated
and led on to these excuses by British sub
iects, from the Provinces, be deemed any
excuse or palliation; although it is well
worthy of being remembered that the prime
movers of these disturbances on the borders
are subjects of the Queen, who come within
the territories Of the United States, seeking
to enlist the sympathies of their citizens, By
all the motives which they are able to ad.
dress to them, on account OF grievances, real
or imaginary. There is no reason to believe
that the design of any hostile movement from
the United States against Canada has CON-
menced with citizens Of the United States
The true origin of such purposes and sucA
enterprises is on the other side of the lne
But the Presidents resolution to prevent
these trangressions of the law is not, on ha'
account, the less strong. 1t is taken, mol
only in conformity to his duty under me
provisions Of existing laws but in full con-,
sonance with the established principles ano
practice of this Government.
The Government of the United States nav
not, from the first, fallen into the doubts,
elsewhere entertained, of the true extern O'
the duties of neutrality. 1t has held 'ha'
however it may have been in less en'shlen'
ed ages, the just Interpretation of the m0de'a
law of nations is, that neutral States az
bound to be strictly neutral; and that It ss a
manifest and gross improperly for indlv'd'a'
to engage in the civil conflicts OF o,0t.
States, and thus to be at war, while 'Oe1
Government is at peace. War and Pea''
are high national relations, which can prop
erly be established or changed only BY DO