The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-12-11

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moderation and justice, the blessings of self
/ government, and the advantages Of free institu-
! tons Let every people choose for itself and
make aud alter its political institutions to suit
It's own condition and convenience. But. while
| we avow and maintain this neutral policy our
| selves, we are anxious to see the same forbear-
/ ance on the part of other nations whose forms
| OF government are different from oar OWE The
! deep Interest which we feel in the spread of
( liberal principles and the establishment of free
! governments, and the sympathy with which we
witness every struggle against oppression forbid
! that we should be Indifferent to a case in which
/ the strong arm of foreign power is invoked to
sIhe public sentiment and repress the spirit of
: freedom i'll any country
! The governments of Great Britain and France
J have issued orders to their naval commanders
/ on the West India station To prevent by force
/ If necessary, the landing of adventurers from
any nation on the island Of Cuba with hostile
intent The copy Of memorandum of q con-
/ versatlon on this subject between the CHARGE
Ahalres OF her Britannia Majesty and the
ActhS secretary OF State, and of a subsequent
/ note OF the former to the Department of State
/ are herewith submitted, together with n copv Of
note of the Acting Secretary Of State TO the
! Minister OF the French republic and of the re
| Ply OF the latter, on the same subject These
| papers will acquaint you with the grounds of
tins lnterpositlon OF the two leading CONNER
clal powers Of Europe, and with the auureben-
sions which this government couId not fail IN
entertain, that such lntCrposition if carried into
effect, might lead to abuses IN derogaton of the
maratine rights of the United States The
nlaraIme rights Of the United States are foun-
ued On hIIn, secure, and well-defined basis.
they stand upon the ground of National indie
pendence and public law, and will be maintained
II ali their full and just extent.
1he principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced it still adheres
to- and VIII maintain under all circumstances
ana at all hazards. That principle is, that in
every regularly dOeumented merchant vessel
the crew who navigate it, and those on board Of
II, VIII ind their protection III the flag which is
over them No American ship can be allowed
to be visited or searched for the purpose of as
certalning the character of individuals on board.
nor can there be allowed any watch by tie YES
sells OF any foreign nation over American vessels
on the coasts OF the United States or the seas
adjacent thereto. 1t will be seen bv the last
communication from the British Charge d Aft
aires 10 the Department Of State that he is au-
th0rIEed 10 assure the secretary of State that
every care viii be taken that in executing the
preventive measures against the expeditions
which the United States Government itself has
denounced as not being entitled to the protection
u any government, no interference shall take
place with the lawful commerce of any nation.
in addition 10 the correspondence on this sub
Ject, herewith submitted official information has
been received at the Department of State. of
assurances by the French government that. in
the orders given to the French naval forces
they were expressly instructed, in any operations
they might engage IN, TO respect the flag of the
United States wherever it might appear, and to
commit no act OF hostility upon any vessel or
armament under its protection
Ministers and cOnsuls of foreign nations are
the means and agents Of communication between
us and those nations, and it is of the utmost i'm
portance that, while residing in the country.
they should feel a perfect security SO long as
they faithfully discharge their respective duties
and are guilty Of no violation of our laws, This
is the admitted law Of nations and no country
has deeper interest ia maintaining it than the
United States, Our commerce spreads over
every sea and visits every Cline and our minis
tiers and consuls appointed to protect the
interests OF that commerce, rs well to guard
the peace OF the country and maintain the honor
of its flag But how can they discharge these
duties unless they be themselves protected; and,
if protected, 1t must be by the laws of the coun-
try in which they reside. And what is due TO
our OWN public functionaries residing in foreign
nations Is exactly the measure of what is due to
the funcuonarles of other governments residing
here. As in war, the bearers of flags of truce
are sacred, or else wars would be interminable,
so IN peace, ambassadors, public ministers, and
consuls, charged with friendly national inter.
course, are objects of especial respect and pro-
lection, each according to the rights belonging
TO his rank and station In view of these inn
portant principles, it is with deep modification
and regret announce 10 you that during the
excitement growing out of the executions ut
Havana, the Office OF her Catholic majesty's con-
sui at New Orleans was assailed by mob, his
property destroyed, the Spanish flag found in
the office carried off and torn in pieces, and he
himself induced to fee for his personal safety
which he supposed to be III danger On re-
celylnS intelligence of these events | forthwith
directed the attorney of the United States resi-
ding at New Orleans to inquire into the facts and
the extent OF the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention of laying them before
you, that you might make provision for such in
demnlty TO him as just regard for the honor of
the nation and the respect which is due TO a
friendly power might, in your Judgment seem
TO require. The correspondence upon this sub
ject between the Secretary of State and her
Catholic maJestys minister plenipotentiary is
herewith transmitted
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to
give my attention TO the state of our laws in re-
gard to foreign ambassadors, ministers and con-
suls. think the legislation of the country is
deficient IN not providing sufficiently either for
the protection or the punishment of consuls |
therefore recommend the subject to the considera-
ton of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the question
OF reciprocal trade between the United States
and canada and other British possessions near
our ironter Oyertures for a convention upon
this subject have been received from her Britain
nc MaJestys Minister Plenipotentiary but it
seems 10 be IN many respects preferable that the
matter Should be regulated by reciprocal legis
/ latlon. Documents are laid before YOU showing
| the terms which the British oovernment Is vii