Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-09


BILLS PASSED.
A bill 10 extend The quarantine laws 10 the Ohio
river and lis tributaries;
A bill allowing tie Commissioners of the Re-
venue iJE the county Q: Loucoun compensation
Tor listing dogs;
A bill au'horizin: The payment q a sum Q.
money 70 J. B. and w. H,te;
4 bill: 10 corim Inc grant b. the Common
Couaoil o. Alexandra, q part o. certain streets
in said town 10 the Alexan!!ia Canal Company;
A bill 10 incorporate Inc Rel Oak Academy OF
Brunswick cuuuiy;
A bill authorizing separate election al Boston
Post Office in Culpeper county;
A bill authorizing lhe sale o The real eslale OF
Roger Atkinson OF Halifax county;
a bill p:oyliing tor the purchase OF .urniiure
On motion Of Mr. DARRACOTT he House
adjourned
IMPRISONMENT OF AMERICAN ClTl-
ZENS
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BRITISH GOV
ERaMENT.
The President has submitted thc coIrespon-
dence between he American and British govern
meuts. with reference 10 The Imprisonment Of
American ciIizens in Ireland. The documents
are quilc voumlnous, an abstract oil wblch we
find ~ The New York Herald They show that
our government have promptly AMI ably and
faithfully done their duty. Alter some pIelimi-
nary leters Loid Paimeson says
"Hcr Malesty's government, well knowing the
constitutional difficulties OF the government u
The United States, and convinced that the Presi-
cent has employed 10 lie utmost the very limited
means within his power 10 check and discoun,e-
nance the proceedings above mentioned, have
not pressed the government oil the United States
with representations against stale OF things,
which, uhder other circumstances, would scarce
lg nave been compatible WIN the continuance
81 friendly relations between the Two governments.
But then, on he uher hand, the government OF
the United STATES must not take Il anlss nat her
Maiesiys government should resort 10 measures
Il pfeca uton and repression IN regard t. persons,
whatever their nationally may be, who, IN this
posture OF affairs, may come from the Uniiei
States 10 this aim; and il there should be any
ctiz-ns of me Unned States who have chosen
this period ot disturbance ior visiting Iceland for
Innocent purposes, they must not be surprised,
il, like persons whom curiosity may lead INTO
The midsi OF a battle they shoald be involved IN
me success Of measures aimed al men Ui diter-
enl description"
Lord Palmerslon continues, by refusing copies
Of The instructions issued BY The police au hoIes
respecting Americans arriving in Ireland, AMI con-
cludes by saying, Significantly enough, But her
Msjesy's Government are responsible Tor al acts
which may be done in consequence Of scch 10
s,ruc,ons; and from their responsibilities, in this
respect, they have no wish or intention TO shrink.
In audng to that portion CT Lord Palmer
slon's communication, claiming Mr.. Ryan as
British subirci, Mr.. Bancroft remarks that The
claim OF Great Britain 10 perpetual allegiance
from all persons who happen 10 have been born
there, i, OF course, 'unlenabe and asks Mr..
Buchanan's views on the subject Mr.. Buchan.
an furnishes his opinion in these words:
Treason cannot be COMMITTED BIZ a citizen OF
The United Safes against a foreign government;
and We are bound, by every principle Of tain
and national honor, 10 MAINTAIN Inc Gocllnc az
firmly in taYor OF our naurailzed as our native
ciizens. sbonld trust that Inc British govern
ment are no, prepared. by the trial OF Mr.. Rich
ard Ryan for treason, 10 preciplia'e question
which must produce such tremendous e1cie-
ment throughout our country, especially when
his can be so easily avoided. II Ryan has Vio-
laled the laws OF Great Britain within her do
miniops, he can be tried and punished Tor an Of
fence OF a different denomination"
This opinion Mr.. Buchanan subsequently cor
reefs in another letter, as follows:
blackstone in his Commentaries, vol. ], page
369. saws that allegiance IS distinguished oy law
into two species, the one natural the other focal;
the former being also perpetual, The latter tempo
rary., Again: Local allegiance is such as Is due
from an alien, or stranger born, Tor so long a
time as he continues within The Kings domin-
ions. and protection; and II ceases the ns'ant
such stranger transfers himself from this king
dom 10 another According 10 British law and
practice, therefore, aliens guilty Of reasonable
acts whilst residing in England, are tried and
ppoishc Tor high treason. Vide ], Eas's Crown
Law. .. 81; a Blacks,one's Commentaries, p. "a.
take il. also that even in this country, To-
reigner. whilst enjoying The protection oil our
avs auG consequently owing temporary aiiesi-
apce TO our government, might, during his perl
od. commit treason against the United States, III
Lowing war against them or ~ acherns 70 tneir
enemies giving them their III and comfort 10.
| deed. this seems 10 have secn taken Tor grained
| by Chief Justice Marshall in delivering be ops
MON Of the court, IN he case OF The Unaed States
IS Watberger, Wheaton, 81, where be says
ina, treason is a breach Of allegiance, and can
| be committed by him ONLY who owes allegiance
either perpetual or temporary The woids,
| therefore, owing allegiance 10 The Uniied STATES,
| in he first seclicn, are entirely surplus WORDS,
| which do not in the slightest degree, affect Us
| ,.o.e Sad. indeed. might be our condition,
shnrd numerous cm:grants hereafter arrive in
our country in times Of difficulty and danger. pos
! s,ssine iiffercn, spirit towards our institutions
| from that By which they have been heretofore ami
/ mailed, il none but cIlizens 81 The Un!ed STATES
could commit the crime Of treason.
81 need scarcely add, that whenever
the occasion may require il, you will resis! The
| British doctrine OF perpetual allegiance, and
| maintain the American principle, that Brush ma
| tive borne subjects, after heg have been natural
| lied under our laws are, 10 al mems and pufpo-
ses as much American citizens. and emitted 10
the same degree of protection, as ihougn 'hey had
been born 10 the United States"
Following out these instructions, Mr. Bancroft!
| addressed an official letter 10 Lo:t Palmerson,
rei,eraing The innocence ot Messfs. bergen
and Evan, and denying ha anything which had
occurred in America, JUSTIFIED the adoption OF
such measures, purely directed against persons
conf, iron The United States, as had led 10 the
| apn,ehension Of the parties in question. Inal
he uuerance OF ornion Ey III parties in Ameri'
"a is no crime. This letter is an abe but very
long paper.
The effect Of this letter was the Liberation o'
The two gentlemen from custody, upon condition
that they left The county.
Mr. buchanan I'd .ressed letter 10 Mr.. Ban
cr,f on The ISh December, (the las OF The re-
nrrs iofwartci,1 approving q! Mr.. baucIoIs
liable persrvefine, AMI successful efforts, and al
Ter arguing strongly against t.eiyrann'cai oraei
Of Inc ls.h Of Angus, 'hus concluies:
"'rhe President has therefore directed me 10 III
s,ruct YOU 10 rrotcs,, in the most solemn and car
nest manner winch official pfopf'ey will warrant
aeains. ne order q the British government iasuec
N the D and I6h Of August last, and agalns
The arbitrary and oaccsiye distinction which hey
make between our cuizsns and the citizens anc
subjects OF other nations; and also between oui
naive and na,uraiized cilizeos. the Liberation
OF Messis. Bergen and Ryan, without lrisl-tht
only American citizens known by the department
u nave been imprisoned under Ihis acl-sHofH'
evidence that no reasonable cause existed tor these
orders The torn ami language OF this Pfotest
with the present dispatch as general su'dr, !
submitted altogether 10 your own discretion
We learn that Geographic despatch vas re-
ceived in Town esefday, from an aulhen,ic
source. stating mat the Legislature OF Florida
on lie Is, instant, elected Grn. Jackson Nor on
Of Pensacola, Senator OF he UnNef states !of N.
FERN Of six years from the All OF March next
| uben ihr term of Mr. Wes.colt expires. Iht