Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-02
To lie Editors 81 me E'nqnirer:

Gentlemen Since Mexico has arrayed herself
in somewhat threatening and bellserent altitude
have seen il stated on several occasions in your
paper, and, il | mistake not, on some OF them
editoraly, that in The event OF Declaration Of
War against the United States by Mexico, AM
The issuing on her part of letters of marque andre
risai, thai il would be proper, and juslitiable on
our part 10 take any foreigners found ON board the
commissioned vessels, as portion OF their crew
treat them as pirates, and dispose Of them by The
summary process OF hansing-and, BY some ex-
ample of this kind, speedy check would be given
10 p,iyateering. Indeed, in your paper OF this
morning, yon have long editorial on our rcla-
tons with Mexico, headed, "The Crisis al Last"
in which g0W ad0W, as portion Of pour article,
an extract from the "New Orleans Picayune," a
portion of which is in these words 1--WE trust
that our Government will al once declare every
vessel engaged under Mexican cooIs, without
The lawful complement Of natives on boald,
pirGtc, AMI s,lng up cray foreigner 10 The gord
arm"
II Mexico should in her wisdom, decide for
War, am for giving her. as can be done, with
ont much trouble genteel drubbing but then
am for doing So clearly upon The principles recug-
niZcd by the International law, which governs ma
tons. Now would like TO be informed, in what
work on International law, from Puftendoif
To Wheaton, the doctrine is laid down, that
vessel regularly commissioned with letters Of
marque a nd reprisal by Mexico, 10 operate against
her enemies in War, constitutes the foreigners,
who may be portion OF the crews oil such YES
SEES, pirates, and Furnishes them win Ieaib, by
hanging al The yard arm. II any authority re-
cornized By nations exists for such procedure,
E,I 1.,.,, nttrE ,apt
assuming that she will not prescribe an arbitrary
rule OF action for herself, "a once declare every
vessel engaged under Mexican co'nTs, without Inc
lawful complement Of natives on board, pirate,
and string up ere3V jOreigncr 10 Tic bard drm?' 1t
is not AIR ocn legislation, believe that is 10 be
The authority or umpire IN such proceedings,
but the established doctrines Of International law.
And what may be The consequences ola departure
from them; or the adoption of such course Of
conduct as appears 10 be sanctioned by you
Should a war come (Which Heaven in mercy
avert, for am emphaiically man OF peafe)
want the duration OF his grim visase 10 be as
short as possible; and certainly il will be SO, il
our fighting is confined 10 lie Mexcans, (and Ne
have no reason 10 believe We will be engaged with
any other nation;) but This will depend chiefly on
ourselves for rest assured, should our Govern
ment attempt 10 carry out The doctrine sanction
ell bv you and we're il once put into execution,
British subjects The sufferers, nothing would save
MS from a co, flict with her. We know The vig
lance with which she protects her citizens where
ever they may be. We know, too, how extreme
" sensitive she has been on this Texas question:;
and. under the influence Of that feeling, associat-
& As the provocaion would be with this very
question, war would, Indeed, be inevitable. How
calami Gus would be such a result Vanqush
her, we certainly could; but consider the loss OF
blood and treasure, andl all the mi>eries follow
ing in the train OF long and sangunary conflict.
Would not France, loo, our old ally, take fire al
such procedure, were her subjects ne su:!eress?
And why place ourselves IN position 10 arouse
the ire Of our faithful friend, should war ever
come upon us from The combined powers OF Eu'
ropcan po.cniatcsl Remember, The French la
gle and the American Eagle can again 'eau 'he
way to victory, glory and independence.
Down, then. | sa-, with This novel and danecr-
Gus principle, attempted lobe interpolated INTO me
| International code It cahnoi find support by any
authority. Let our watch-worcs be, right and
onward" and lhrashing 10 Mexico il she insists
upon il. lN'Eo IVA w.
August Is, lSi5.
I'VE think our clear-headcd correspondent eTr'
in stating that We have adopted" or "sancton'
3D. Ike principle which be 50 warmly reprobaes
We have seen ii strongly commended BY able ano
leading iournals-bu, our impression has been
and sill is ,ha, il is indefensibIe. We have no
had time, however, 10 look into The learned au
| lhorties. In no even. will il be necessary TO re
sort 10 its employment against Mexico.-Enql