Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-05-21
NHHSCELLAN Gus.
From the N. Y. Morning Ne,es, 3rd inst.
LETTERS OF MARQUE.

II is generally conceded that the only |
means by which Mexico, in case she obeys
the cali of certain papers among us. and
declares war. will have as means OF an-
noyance. only the right of granting letters
Of marquc within her power. AS she has
no no marine Of her own, il becomes an
interesting question how far other naiIons
NAV plunder us uuder her authority. On
this subjecl, Eattel, book Sd, chap. 10, re-
marks as follows:
There is no doubt but they private
persons) may will, safe conscience serve
their counlry by fitting out by privaleers,
unless the war be evidently unjust. But,
on the contrary, foreigners take commits
sions from prince, To prey on nation,
absolutely innocent with respect T. them,
are guilty of an infamous practice. The
thirsiof gold is their Only inducement, and
ho,Uevcr their commission may assure them
impunity, i! canhut wash away their exc
cradle guilt"
From this it would seem that our South
American friends could legally turn their
enterprise into the Mexican service by ac-
cepting commissions. The large English
capitals which are now employ ed, accord
ing TO official information, in furtherance
of the Brazil slave trade, may he occupied
in The more lautable employment Of plrat-
ins in Brazilian and Portuguese hands, on
American. commerce. The execrahie
"guilt'' uf the transaction will trouble
them bul little. ln relation to The move
ments of Mexico, however, itnay be well
10 recur 10 The existing treaty with that
country. which, under date OF 1881, pro-
vides as follows:
"Thirdlv, if any of the articles con
tanned in the present treaty shall b. VIOLA
ted or inlracted in any manner ~haleeer.
il is stipulated that neither Of lhecontract-
ing parties will order or authorize any
acts of feprisal or declare war aPains! the
other. until the party considering itself Of
Tended, shall have presented The other
statement Of such injuries and damages,
and demanded justice aud satisfaction,
and the same shall have heen either r..
fused or uureasonabIy delayed"
Article 26. of the same treaty. provides
that in case Of war, six months notice
shall be given 10 merchants on the coast,
and twelve months TO those in the interior.
Thuse provisions either mean something
or nothing. II they mean anything, The
preliminary steps for war have not yet
been taken. What has Mexico done =
Her minister has protested against our re-
cosniion of the right of Texas to treat.
and her government issued manifesto 10
The courts Of Europe. Now. in March,
IL nf
issued message, proposing the recogm
ton Of Mexico. The Spanish minister
Joaquin de Auiuasa, made protest. of
which that of Almonle is nearly copy.
substituting Texas Tor Mexico. John G.
Adams, answered the protest, s'aline-
Under these circumstances. the gov.
ernment of the .nited States, far from
consulting the dictates of policy un-
questionable in lis morality. yielded 10 an
obligation of duty, of The highest orc er, by
recognizing as independent States. nations
which, after deliberately asserting their
rights 10 thar character, have maintained
and established il against all resistance
which had been, or could be, brought to
oppose H."
This was said in behalf Of that Mexico
which now seeks to domneer over Texas.
the position of which is stronger than hers
was. The Spanish Government then
issued manifesto to The governments Of
Europe, precisely like that which Mexico
has lately issued TO the same powers. The
Spanish protest contained the following
clause:
"But the governments is fortunately
know, by sad experience, The effects
which are produced by "A similar overthrow
of principles. They loresee the conse.
quence Of its propagation. not less fatal 10
legitimate governments. than i'll the iuleg.
rity of nations, rud are well aware Of the
consequences TO Europe Of sanc,iouiug iu
America, as some preteud, the underlined
righl of insurrecton." l."
All his gasconade ended in the recogni.
lion of Mexico The rulers of Mexico
are now, true to their parentage, playing
of The same vapors upon the Uniled
States. Is ii NOT little curious that in
This age of The world, few renegade
Spanards, halI-castes, and Indians, should
be claiming authority over an independent
Anglo Saxon na'pn? For a pretended
wrong they claim 10 let loose The plunder-
ers OF all nations upon our commerce
God forbid the occurrance Of such an un-
happy necessity; but if Mexico should
rush madly aud wrongfully upon such
resort Of war, humanity aud policy will
combine in imposing on our government
The duty Of crushing it at once in the bud.
bya force against which resistance should
not even be attempted.