The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-22
The Government and the Steamer United State

The Government and the Steamer United States
The steamer United States, which was purchase,
by the Central Government of Germany, and de
tanned by order of the President of the Unite,
States, has been discharged The cause of he
detention, and the manner of her release, are ex
planned in editorial article of the National Intel
ligencer of the f3h inst, which includes dis
patch from the Secretary of State to the Baron de
Roenne, the German Minister. 1t appears tina
when the United States was purchased by the
agents Of the German powers, the late Presiden
permitted and authorized the officers of our Navy
to assist in fitting her out steamer of war
pcriDg that time, an armistice was in existence
between the Germans and the Danes but it is
conceded that the motive for the purchase was to
employ the vessel in against the Danes.
When President Taylor came into power, he
countermanded the permission given, and ordered
the detention of the vessel, against the meaning
Of the neutrality laws Of the United States The
Government Of Denmark entered a formal protest
against the fitting out of the steamer; but the Sec
Rotary assures NJ de Roenne that the President
had, before this protest was received, determined
to interfere and enforce the provisions of the law
in favor of the rights of friendly powers
Notice was therefore given that the vessel would
not be permitted to proceed, unless bonds were
given, pursuant to the 10th section of the act of
April 20, 1918, that she " is not designed and in
tended to be, and will not be, employed by the
German Government against any power with
which the United States are now at peace lit
being farther stipulated that the said steamer,
"while the property of the German Government,
or of her agent, shall proceed in her true character
as German vessel'
1t Is added that these conditions were complied
with that the German Government "pave the
bonds required by law" and that the vessel is &C.
cordingly at liberty to proceed.
We confess to a feeling of keen regret that laws
should exist among US which require such harsh
treatment of our liberal friends in Germany. But
the strict execution of the law is the duty of the
Executive; and our sympathy for struggling free
men abroad ought not TO make us unjust to those
who only enforce the laws at home. STILL it seems
to us that the clause which is quoted to justify the
demand from the =" German Government of bonds
not to employ the steamer, for warlike purposes,
against any nation at peace with the United States
can with difficulty be made to sustain the con-
sHucuon. 1t Is In section 10 of the act and it en-
acls mat the owners or consigness of every armed
snip or vessel, sailing out of the ports of the
oniIed states, belonging whoUy or in part TO the
cuf1enS Mereof, shall enter into bond to the
United States, with sufficient sureties, prior to
clearing out the same, in double the amount of
the value OF the vessel and cargo on hoard in.
Guiding the armament, that the said shin or VOC.
sci shall not be employed, by such owners." etc
10 our simple reading this section refers onlv IN
citizens of the United States, and requires bonds
from such citizens that they will not Use the vessel
lot warllke purposes, against nations at peace with
our own country. Where, in this section, quoted
Mr.. Clayton, is the duty enjoned to exact bonds
from foreign Government.
ne power may be found somewhere, perhaps.
out " is certainly not in this part of the law and
constructions arc to be forced We a. least, would
'Fs'ef that They SHOULD b. made on the side of |