The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-07

sound the disposition Of the Empress Calharine and
fol this purpose addressed himself both to Panin,
Chancellor Of the Empire, and 10 Potempkin, the
reignng fayorite Of that princess. The former was
unfayorable 10 the views Of the British government
but the latter opened TO their ambassador the
of secret conference with the Empress, who
ed 10 propose her armed mediation in the war be-
tween Great Britain on side, and France, Spain,
and the United States on the other, as an equivalent
for Russia being allowed to prosecute her designs
against the Turkish empire. But the incnatious Of
the Empress resisted BY Panin, who endeayorcd
10 convince her that the true interests Of the Russian
State would not be promoted by such an alliance
| and official answer accordingly returned de-
clining the British oyeriures. Harris was discon-
certed by this unexpected result, but received as
surances from Potempkin 10 the name Of The En-
press Of unchanged good will, and expression Of
the hope that circumstances would enable her
| TO conform her conduct TO her wishes.
| IAN incident, now occurred which seemed TO IA
vor the designs of the British ncgotator. Two Rus
sian vessels laden with corn, and bound to the Med
terranean, seized by Spanish cruizers, upon the
ground that they intended supply the fortress
of Gibraltar The Empress instantly demanded sa-
sfaction from the Spanish court and was persuaded
|
Consiadt without consulting Panin, which was dcs.
tined to cooperate with Great Britain against Spain
and her allies in case redress shoud be refused Ter
| the capture Of the Russian merchant vessels, ne
fitting out Of the fleet could long be concealed from
Pann, did he doubt il, real destination. But he
determined to carry into effect his views by up.
parently forwarding those Of his rival Far from op-
pearng to oppose the designs Of the Empress, he d.
clared that he himself participated in her just indig-
nation at the conduct OF Spain, and entirely approved
of her determination TO require satisfaction for tic
INJURY done TO the neutral navigation of her subjects
engaged in lawful commerce. He would even 90
further; he would exhort his sovereign to seize this
opportunity OF solemnly announcing to Europe that
she would not suffer the wars waged by other powers
to effect inuriousy the accustomed trade of Russia
He represented that such a would the
friendship and cooperation Of all the neutral mari
sme powers, and would compel Spain to grant
pie'e satisfaction for the injury she had committed
Inc True principles of neutrality sanctioned by the
natural law Of nations had been hitherto too little re-
| spected In practice They had hitherto lacked the
support OF sovereign uniting sufficient power wis
dom, and bene~lence TO cause them 10 be respected
| These requisites ware united in Catherine aud
she had an opportunity Of acquiring new titles 10
fame, of becoming law,giver TO the seas of IT,.
sraning the barbarous ex,esses of maritime war.
fare, and of afordng TO the PEACEFUL commerce Of
neutrals such security as it neyc had possessed
"The Empress was completely carried away by
these representations so hatterng TO h,r pride and
ambition She ordered Panin TO prepare as,atemcnt
of the principles he had developed 10 be conmuuI
Gated to the belgerent powers the rules to be OBJ
served for the security Of Russian navigation ana
commerce, and to neutral states the basis Of au
armed league TO be formed between them for the
protection Of neutral m rhine rights.
''Such the origin Of the first armed neutrality
Of 1880 1t sprung from no enlarged and benehccr'
views of improvement in the maritime law OF ra-
tons hitherto sanctioned by general practice lwo.
the accidental result Of court intrigue and #
the rivalry between two candidates for the favor Of
dssoute, ambitious, and yainglorious woman. Cath
arine herself had very imperfect idea Of the H.
mense Importance of the measure she bad adop'a
aud of the effects il might produce. So ignorant
she Of commerce. that she nattt red herself with ha'
ing at yindica ed her honor and shown tol
strong regard for her ally Great Britain. PAIN '1.k
care not 10 undcceyc her, and fearing that d., .t
trgue might fail, begged that she would o.
communicate with any one -untii-the cour,r- W,I--
sent off TO the different courts of Europe with the
declaration which afterwards became the ba,i, ,i
the armed neutrality. But she could not roll
from saving coufdenally totle British Ambl..sd. ,
that there would soon be.delivered IN. her lame d.
all the begerent powers, manifesto Whcl, Won.
be completely satisfactory to the British Cover
ment and condescended even 10 give him lcsy. g.
communicate thus much 10 bis court The comm
nication, " hch he accordingly made, raised %,
pectations to the highest pitch, and the di.appu-
ment was proportionably greater when the Biu
/ Government made acquainted with the real u..
ture of the adopted by the Russian O. -
net"-Pp. %, PIP. pa.
The principles Of the armed neutrality soon be
came the object Of polemic controversy among o..
public jurists Of Europe. They defended D.,
the celebrated n, apolitan able GALLIASI IN trea-
tise the relative duties Of be!ligerents aud
trails, published 81 l752 LaNrRrDI, another Italau
public jurist Of superior talents land learning, pu
lished, IN 1885, treatise on Neutral Commerce iu
Time Of War A complete analysis Of these two
important works is given by Mr.. w, who chose, o.,
third period Of his history with an account Of JEE,a
DrSrnAMs plan for establishing perpetual peace
between nations founded on the same bssi, with o.
Of Rousseau and St. Pierre-that Of general c.a-
federation Of states, with power to adjust all
VERSES between them by arbitration. The fatal ..-
feet Of all such schemes is, that they furnish o,r.
tua security for preventing the league thus ior
from falling under the exclusive influence Of o.,
powerful members. The recent experience u
OF the Holy Alliance and Of the Geunaulc
federation, shows the difficulty " rocpr.
such Amphyciionc confederation with ur
seryation e the sovereign rights aud
pondence Of the co-states OF the second D'
o n ttiaI SUN. titftt
sonal Intervention, which the five great power.
Enrnnc arrnrnfeh 10 ilcnlsel Yea wnnlh Lnlu I'm