Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-06-22

lmDpratlye
duty has been devolved upon The Executive Ia
take care tina; there shall To no violation or in.
iringement of the laws OF the United States
enacted expressly for the purpose OF enabling
Us to preserve our cherished relations of amity
and good understanding with all foreign powe,s
ana to fulfil with strict imparlialty the duties
OF neutrality, and all tho obligations Of our Urea
!ieS with those powers. This grave duty is en-.
joined BY the CONSTITUTION Of the United States;
which, by solemn oath, tue Executive Is bound
70 preserve, protect and Defend
The enlightened minister ni Germany cannot
be isnCrdht Il The existence OF he ar 81 Con.
greg" 81 -" 18th nPfi i6i- en.Ilioi an a.. III
addition 10 he 'acl III The pun. hment OF certain
crimes against the United States. and TO repeal
Inc acts therein mentioned" To The stringent
provisions Of that statute tie undersigned is nos
Instructed bY The President 10 invite your Excel.
lentY's special attention. lis lllh section REQUIRES
NE oFclble detention oil vessels Of The char cler
described, (and within lis puryiew comes, un.
queNlonably, The steamer United S,ales,) when
about 10 depart under circumstances which rem
der II probable that they are intende,! 10 commit
hdsliIiIies against 4 friendly power Another
section, The 81, impose fine and Imprisonment
on all persons engaged IL such enterprises, and
| also The forfeiture OF said vessels Aud It's 10Th
section makes il obligatory on the owners, 3c
OF shch vessels 10 enter inIu bond 10 the Unilei
| States mol 10 commits! hos.ilies against any ma
lion win which me United States are al peace
BY the b section Of he act he Pfesden. IS iui-
| ~ empowered ana required 10 execute the law By
Carrying al IL provisions into cfiec;.
| Moreover sou are aware that The government
| Of Denmark has entered formal pro es against
the filling uul OF this vessel lor the objects alleg-
&c. In answer 10 The protest the Danish Minister
has received from The President The most salts
factory assurance Ia reference 10 The views and
feelings OF The American Government, and in re-
gard 10 tie course which The latter, under The cir
cumsiances, believe il 10 be duiy 10 pursue
lnie, entenI, however, 81 The consideration Ius
aiVcHed 10, il is dnr IL your Ekcellency 10 stale
that The President. guided by a sense OF justice
and good lalth, had already, beoe The protest OF
Denmark was lad before him, determined that
u was HI. tonnden duty 10 respect The rights u
friendly power and II absolutely necessary
even 10 enforce. 10 the very le.tC. all the proy.
sions II our laws which were passed aud iElrn-
ded to protect those rights.
Bul, whist thus firmly resolved 10 discharge a
duty which vas due 10 Denmark, the President
: equally desirous, hay, ANXIOUS TO convince
The German Government ani people OF his SIN
ceGe wishes 10 cultivate The most cordial rela-
tons u amily and good viii with them, and 10
mates him, by exhibiting signal mark OF the
confidence he reposes in The honor and integrity
Of The distinguished individual who wouhily
represents the German Empire and people near
this government. To this end, the Undersigned
is now authorized by The President 10 say 10 your
Excelency, in all ifansness that The moment you
shall he prepared 10 communicate 10 The under.
signed, IN writing, the solemn assurance hat the
vessel III question now hIin9 out IN The harbor
0! New York Is not designed aud intended 10 BE-,
and will mol be- employed By your Government,
against any power with which The United States
are now II peace, such assurance on your part
will be deemed and taken by The President 4
sufficient peGs, and security 10 remove all doubts
ON his mind, ani 10 justify him III suffering
the steamer 10 qnl he port Of New York, aud
TO proceed without interruption Or hintrancc 10
her destination, whatever that destination may
bt; il being distinctly undStsio... thar iha cait
steamer, whist IN, property Of lie German Gu-
vefnmrnt or 81 her agent, shall hus proceed in
her tue character u a German Vessel.
The Undersigned. III making this communics
ton, which he trusts your Excellency will re
celye and impart 10 your Government IN the
spirit IN which II originated and mas oecn made,
most gladly avails himself of the opportunity
which II affords 10 reierate 10 your Excellency
the assurances given by his predecessor, in the
name Of the Government and people of the
United States, that the President will ever be
ready and studous to foster The friendship COW
so happily subssting between our respective
countries and to promote, az far as may consist
with his public duty, the prosperity o! the Ger
man Confederation, aud the accomplishment OF
the great objects which the German people have
III view.
The undersigned has the honor TO renew 10
t. all tna plh "a ali
guished consideration
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
Thus it will be seen that the President, advised
by the Secretary of State, did interfere TO pre-
vent the sailing Of the steamer United States
until Baron Roune had given bond, or pledged
his honor, that the vessel should not be used
against any power with which the United States
were at peace. The facts are admitted and
sought 10 be justified on the gound that The sale
and fitting up of the vessel was q breach OF the
neutrality act approved April 10th, 1873; and
the Secretary refers The representative oil the
German government particularly to the 10Th
and lth sections of that act, which he alleges,
prohibit the sale and ttung out OF the vessel in
our ports under such circumstances. The two
sections are a follows:
SrC. H. That the owners Or consgnees ot
every armed ship or vessel sailing o'it OF tie
ports q the 5, belonging ,.hoiy Or ~ part 10
citizens thereof, shall enter imto bond 10 The
United States, with sufficient surelles, prior 10
clearing out the same, IN double the amount OF
the value OF the vessel and cargo on board, 10.
GLIDING her armament, that The said ship or
vessel shall not BE- employed by such owners TO
cruise or commit bostilities against The subjects,
citizens OF property of aay foreign prince or
State, or of any colony, district or people, with
whom The United States are at peace.
SIC. IL. That tho collectors Of the customs
be, and they are hereby, respectively authorized
and required 10 detaln any vessel manliesty
built for warlike purposes and about TO dePar!
Tue United States, of which the cargo shall
principally consist OF arms aad munitions "
war, when The number OF men shipped on
| board, or other circumstances, shall render u
probable that such vessel IS intended 10 be em.
ployed by the owner or owners to cruise or
! commit hoslitles upon The subjects, c2ens or
property OF any foreign prince or Slate, or OF
l any colony, dis,ti.> . r--rI~ .";th mhnn the
| United States are al peace until The decision Of
The President be had thereon, or until the owner
Of owners shall give such bond and security as
/ Is required Of the owners OF armed ships 10y the
preceding section Of this acl
We have carefully examined the acl Of 1915,
and lind that lis main and only purpose l. 10 pie.
vent Inc flung out 81 war-lke expeditions IN he
noIts 81 The United Saes against o'heT powers
/ with whom VT are al peace. !! i designed oniy
| 10 preseIye The neutrality OF the Unitei Slales,
and moi IL prohibit frade ami commerce rrcn IN
articles contrabqnd " vaT. 81 Ca euiiy i The
object Of The act kept IN view, that while II pro-
hbns our own citizens from enlisling, or taking
measures 10 enlist Others, II permits Inc Gil Iehs
az subjects nl other powers !TanslenIly IN The U.
States 10 enlist the citizens and subjects u those
rowcls who may he temporarily here, 10 serve
in the armies and naves 81 the powers 10 whoin
hey NAV respectively belong. See section :.
Now, what were the facts with regard 10 lhe
steamer United States1 They are as ioiiows:-
She was purchased By The German government
lur lhe purp. sc oil forming the nucleus Of ma
w. AID moi Tor the express purpose oi entering
into me war against Denmark. These are lhe
suspicious Of the SecrrIafE "hn.ns any 'aI''
o., t;.r,u..,. 10 Justly them. W. ireaid tht
aro,,si .flh. representative IL Denmark a. nom