The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Union
Mexican Privateer. baltimore SUN.

becomes a matter for serious consideration
From the tenor of editorial article in the Baltimore
Sum- OF the 9TH inst headed Letters of marque and
psa" the inference is almost inevitable that adyenturers
in that port are disposed to engage IN the lucrative bas
pains and penalties OF piracy The arguments OF the ed
itor very cogent TO convince them that they have
nothing to fear from Sii that sGH s,er aM
cruisers from pushing matters TO extremity by numbering
the crews and passengers OF such ships they may cap
tue or derner resort they can tight to the last re-
fuse quarter, and die like men.
Lest may be supposed TO Islander the I" Sum- take the
following extract from the article in question;
sIrrrERs MAEQuE REPRIsAL-t has been current
for days past that Mexico had issued let
ters of marque and reprsa together with certificates of
natdnizationhe latter for the safety and convenience OF
those who may, under the influence of rowing and pre-
datoy disposition, be inclined TO accept the former The
no whether true false has been as usual freely dis
cussed by the press and good deal has been said OF our
treaties with Spain and several other foreign nations which
include the clause prohibiting any citizen OF those countries
with which may be peace bearing arms against us
while with another. II Mexico has issued letters OF
MARQUEE alleged there be question but she de-
feats the object Of this grohbitoy clause by nai9rnzao
and il is folly Tor blind ourselves to the fact AS TO
tho talk about hanging all such priVateers as pirates win
the idea that all other win unite with in 80 do
ing, and lend hand in the hanging is, IN our opinion,
paper they make up part of the comfy OF national in
tecourse-the entente c0rdd the French have -but
ubiquitous and we must give up all naval demonstration
upon Mexico, before we can with safety hang man OF
these prVaees As IL, for the OF pryateers
man hung, might lose the and passengers OF
half dozen of our merchant vessels There would be
tangled pirates ouawed by special clause, into the
desperate marauders American commerce. by the
very first in conformity with this specific right More
over, il matter Of nOtorety, as II would DE, that
these pryaecrs were to be treated as pirates, should
find them rather hard To take Men who fighting
anticipation OF short shr and the yadaTln IN the event
OF defeat would be likely die fighting; and there would
not be wanting those who rather than submit capture,
would blow themselves and their assaants To Davy Jones
together And the hope would be vain, that the threat to
treat them as pirates would puta stop the business The
slave trade has been declared 10 be piracy by the most
powerful nations OF the globe, our own amongst the mum
Der yet the slave trade goes the enormous profits OF
succs,;lul trip sufficiently eoun,eryaing the risk 1t
cal piracy the hope OF successful cruise would obscure
the hazard"
In the remarks which will now be offered | shall
show the alacy of his arguments when tested by
Mexican law, leaving out OF the question the laws OF ma
tons.
The fundamental principle in the question is, that
less the officers, and certain proportion "a majority OF
the crew of prvateeT citizens OF the country under
whose letter. it sails they liable to the fate OF pr
rates If they attack the vessels OF any other nahon even
although at with that country This is confessed by
Mexico in the effort now made by blank certificates OF
naturalization to convert foreigners into citizens But
Mexico cannot thus shield foreigners from the punish
ment due to pirates, should they thus prey upon Amer
can commerce. w
There are certain great rules principles established
by all civilized nations IN regard 10 the naturalIzng OF
foreigners. England, France the United States Mexico
and other nations agree In those principles They are
sentla and without their observance man trans
fer his allegiance nor claim protection. They resi-
dence in the adopted country, declaration OF intention TO
apply for citizenship remuneration of foreign allegiance,
The following Is the law of Mexico on that subject:
"The President Of the United States of Mexico to the
inhabitants OF the republic be it known that the general
Congress has decreed as follows:
art !. Every foreigner who has resided for the
term Of two years succession within the limits of the
republic may request certificate of naturalization in
conformity to what is prescribed In this law.
ART , For obtaining it, he must produce legal infor
nation to the district circuit Judge nearest the place of
his residence, with citation and audience OF the promoter
fiscal
'.lst That he is Roman Catholic, or the certificate of
baptism proving the same.
'2d, That he has business, useful skill income
whereby subsist the witnesses being required to state
what is his business, skill, or income.
''3d. That he has good character.
CART 3. Every person becoming naturazed shall pre-
sent himself by writing, one year beforehand, to the
ayuntameno Of the place in which he resides manifest
ing his design establishing himself in the country An
aested copy of said declaration shall accompany the doc
uments mentioned in the foregoing article
art 4. He shall present himself, with these docu-
mens the governor of the State principal political
chief of the federal district territories of the conedera
cy, requesting the certificate of naturalization.
"ART. 5. The exposition wherewh he requests his
certificate of natuTalZaon
First Shall contain an express remuneration of all
submission and obedience any other nation foreign
government especially the nation or government to which
Second 1t shall be therein stated that he likewise
every title, token of HONOR grace he may
have obtained from any government.
third That he will support the constitution
sttutve act and general laws of the United States Of
Mexico.
ART. o. these COHtuuOIS HdNlnS Deen computed
with, the governor of the State, principal political
chief of the district territory shall issue the certificate
of naturalization agreeaby to the formula annexed to this
law"
The foregoing is the Mexican mode of naturalization
AS in England, however, particular provision is made
for the benefit of those who engaged in the public
service In England, five years service in the navy
gives right to become subject. In Mexico the follow
ing more liberal rule prevails:
cart. Is. Foreigners, who, being in the marine
vice soldiers sailors, enrolled therein declare
the political authority nearest the place of their residence
that they wish to become naturaZed, making oath before
said authority to support the constitution, constuiye
act and general laws, and that they renounce all sub
mission and obedience to any other dominion foreign
government, and also every title, token of honor, or
grace that is not of the republic of Mexico"
For the sake OF those enterprsng Americans who feel
disposed engage in the Mexican service in the
tempated attack American commerce. | feel sorry to
add the following damper upon their hopes.
CART II. Certificates of naturalization shall not be
granted to the subjects citizens Of nation at h
the United States Of Merico.'
Test the contemplated wholesale manufacture of citi-
zens for Mexican pvaeer service by the above law and
the result.
The residence in Mexico is dispensed with
The application to the Judge or political chief for certit
icate is dispensed with.
The proof of good character before Judge is dis
pensed with.
witnesses, before Judge chief, is dispensed with
In lieu of all these, have blank certificates from
President Saas, who has right TO grant them, placed
the hands of one who has right to administer oaths
receive testimony, sent out of the country foreign
ports to be filled up with such may suit the
parties regardless of the legal requisites, and total
mockeIy of all the for well as the provisions