The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-26

armed force and bring 70 punishment To this we have
70 10y thst BY the law Of 1915 1t il high misdemeanor
punishable BY fine and imprisonment and not piracy pun
ishable by death. But even II the law Of 1918
bad never been enacted, the laws Of nations could
not be SO construed to make the Cuban expedition an
act OF pacy and this point have the high author
iy Of Mr. Webster. not speaking hastily in the Senate,
but whiting deliberately in the Department Of State Du-
ring the correspondence relative to the Mcleod trial. Mr.
Fox the British Minister denounced those American citi
zens who took part with persons in Canada as american
pirates" To that charge Mr. Webster replied with great
force We make a few extracts from bis reply
Her Msjesys government pleased aso to speak Of
those American citizens who took part with persons in
government as American pirates The unser.nasa
e no .he ProPey Or ascs o. this designation
IN fitting out military expedition from the United STATES
Intended to act agains, the British In Canada
and exposing themselves the just consequences which
might be inflicted on them 4 taken within the British
pirates does the undersigned think that il can az
vance The purpose Of fair and friendly discussion hasten
mate Them Their offence whatever 1t was, had no anal
ogy TO cases q piracy Supposing all that alleged against
garded civil war; they were taking part on the side
o. me rebels Surely England hersefhas regarded per-
sons mus engaged as deserving the appeaon which her
ted States ~ ''''' o'aA0''' y 'ao oni-
ho.uouo IOT the greater part oil the
two centuries, subjects ofhe British Crown have been per
mted 70 engage In foreign wars, both national and civil
has e Is
lowed ner sublscls 70 turn pates Indeed In
uheo not only nave Individual subjects OF that gone
abroad 70 engage n civil wars but have whole
regiments openly recruited mbodied, armed and discp
nation with England u sas 81
although I, Is true that subsequently Of Parliament
% public wa, without license from the Grown.
ntxyha thar ha -
VINO Join those concerned In it whatever may be their Of
ence against their own country however they may be
the government against which the standard OF revolt is
raised cannot be denopina.cd pirates without ring
fences cause which has foul anorign as piracy can
degree o claim
cvl wars therefore, aie not understood such COM
well known Mr. Fox that authorities Of the hivh
est emnence IN England, living and Dead have maintain
% that the general law Of nations does forbid the c
Gems or subjects OIL one government from taking in the
civil conmotions Of another There some reason in
% tn tnat sucn may be The opinion Mae
government AZ the present moment
Since the above written information has reached
Washington that the Cuba expedition has actually land
ed II that information be true civil war is raging IN
Cuba and portion Of the naval forces of the United
States acting under orders from the Executive, i ac
lively engaged in preventing the landing OF reinforce
ments and supplies for one party to that contest, and
thereby acting the ally Of the Spanish monarchy In
all wars-civil wars and revolutions as well a. others
neutral nations bound to look upon both parties as
equally right; and the citizens OF neutral nations have
the right to furnish arms and supplies to either patty un
der the risk Of capture and con6scation By the other
party 1t is clear therefore, that our home squadron s
engaged in lawless enterprise; and il il succeeds in
capturing single vessel the capture will be in violation
OF the constitution, and the rights Of people profit
BY trading with the parties in civil war; II one single
person is captured, he will be deprived Of his liberty
rihost due process Of laU," which the constitution ex
pressy forbids: there will be "oath or affirmation,
which the constitution requires 10 precede the seizure Of
persons papers, and writ Of habeas corpus must set
him free the moment he is brought within the jurisdiction
Of The United States Surely the executive cannot be
ignorant Of this yet il goes on defiance Of the consti
tuition, aiding, assisting. and maintaining. with the navy
Of the United States the cruel oppressive and despo,ic
authority Of Spain over the unwilling people Of Cuba
We soemnly protest against such of the national
marine.