The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-11
By THE MAILS.


WAsHrNcros June 0, lsA7.
Priuateering-C Case Of the Bark CarmeIite.
is more than probable that the statement made by
Plymouth merchant, in of the London papers, to
the effect that tho Mexican privateer which captur
cd the American bark Carmelite, had beon con-
demned by the authorities Of Barcelona as pirate Ia at
Toast premature The letter conveying the integ
Is said to have been received from Barcelona at Py
mouth on the 18th of May Letters written at Barce
Iona on the 7th of May in relation this transaction
have in this city and them no mention Ia
made of such decision of authorities of the port
IL not probable that in the time intervening between
the 18th and 18th, letter could have reached Plymouth
from Barcelona There is little doubt, however that
the prvateer will be condemned and the bark restored
to her owners.
This thing of Mexican privateering Is clearly the
sheerest humbug got up Mexico has no vessels of
her own in which to prosecute privaeerng expeditions
Moreover she can give to except
her own citizens. The make. shift for manufacturing
Mexican citizens by the mere grant of privateerng
commission is an absurdity that intelligent prize
court in the world will sanction legal substan
nal act OF naturalization Tho enquiry Of prxe-court
would be, whether the commander and this Mex
lean prvateer were native born Mexican citizens
turalized under the fundamental laws of the Mexican
republic. mere nominal naturalization Of the sub
jects Of a neutral power who have never been in
Mexico, and own not of land there ought
be regarded as converting them into proper legal
beigerents. The commander and crew Of this priva-
teer, 1t seems, not Mexican citizens de aeio and
only claim the right to make captures American ves
sells under commission from the government Of Mexico
tse purchase Of which commission was declared by a
stupid act Of the Mexican Congress to constitute
full fair and valid act Of naturalization But this act Of
the Mexican Congress the fundamen law OF
the land for converting aliens into citizens and must
therefore, be regarded invalid
citizenship. The commander and crew of the privateer
are, therefore, not to be regarded Mexican citizens
But 1t Is fundamental rule in prize law that a
beligerent has no right to equip or arm his
ships for war in any neutral port therefore the com
mander and crew of this prvateer not being Mexican
citizens enlisted in Mexican port cannot privatecr
under any law of nations war and can be viewed
in NO other light than pirates
That tho Spanish authorities will take this view of
the transaction there be little doubt Spain has
already given assurance to government, that she
will not harbor encourage her subjects privateerng
under Mexican commissions against the
United States, and 1t would be dscourteous to her to
doubt that she will be faithful to her promise. In the
present she has the additional nduccment II that
wanting, that the captured bark fitted out at
Of her ports, Barcelona, and was freghted with
Spanish merchandise.
Our government, 1t is not to be questioned will not
be backward In pressing this view Of the matter the
attention ofspain II the bark had been captured BY
bona fde citizens Of Mexico, would have had no
right to complaint but it has been made by tho sub
ects of neutral powers have right insist that tho
capture is void and invalid Already steps have been
taken by the Secretary of State both in regard this
matter and for the future protection Of
Should the Secretary Of the Navy arrive from vr
gina by tomorrow, the day designated for his return
the steamer Princeton will be Immediately despatched
to the Mediterranean to keep in check any further at
empts at piracy for 1t Is nothing else MIR Mssons
rival will doubtless make change In this arrangement
GALVIENSIS.