The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-12-03

| rlSc Ill carrying inc ldWS rclcrrcu 10
into execution in country now having
three or four thousand miles of sea-
coast, with an infinite number of ports
and harbors and small inlets from some
of which unlawful expeditions may
suddenly set forth, without the know
ledge of Government, against the pos
sessions of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but en-
tangling alliances with none, has long
been maxim with us. Our true mis-
sion is not to propagate our opinions,
or impose upon other countries our
form of government, by artifce Or
force but to teach by example, and
show by our success, moderation and
justice, the blessings of sclf-govcrn-
ment, and the advantages of free insti-
tutions. Let every people choose for
itself, and make and alter its political
institutions to suit its own condition
and convenience. But, while VIC avow
and maintain this neutral policy our
selves, we arc anxious to sec the same
forbcarancc on the part of other ma
tons, whose forms Of government are
different from our own. The deep in.
tcrcst which we feel in the spread of
liberal principles and the establishment
of free governments, and the sympa-
thy with which we witness every stlug-
gle against oppression, forbid that we
should be indifferent to a cascin which
the strong arm of a foreign power is
invoked to stihc public sentiment and
rcprcss the 81 init of freedom in any
country.
The governments Of Great Britain
and France have issued orders to their
naval commanders on the West India
station to prevent by force, if neccssa-
ry, the landing of adventurous from
any nation on the Island of Cuba with
hostile intent. The copy of memo
randum of q conversation on this sub
jcct between the Charge d'Affaircs Of
her Britannia Majesty and the Acting
Secretary Of State, and Of subsc-
qucnt note Of the former to the De
rartmcnt of State. are herewith sub
mittcd, together with copy Of note
of the Acting Secretary of State tc
the Minister of the French republic,
and of the reply of the latter, on the
same subject. These papers will ac-
quaint YOU with the grounds of this in
terrosition of the two leading CONNER
cial powers of Europe, and with the
apIrchcnsions, which this Government
could not fail to entertain, that such
intcrrosition, if carried into effect
might lead to abuses in dcrogation Of
the maritime rights Of the United
States. The maritime rights Of the
United States are founded On q firm
secure, and wcll-dcfncd basis they
stand uron the ground of National In
dependence and public law, and vii
be maintained III all their full and just
extent.
The principle which this govern
ment has heretofore solcmnly amour
ccd it still adheres to, and will main
tain under all circumstances and at al
hazards. That principle is, that in
every regularly documented merchant
e vessel, the crew who navigate it, and
, those on board of it, will find their pro
lection in the flag which IS over them
No American ship can be allowed tC
be visited Or searched for the purpose
Of ascertaining the character Of indiyi-
duals on board, nor can there be al
lowed any watch By the vessels of any
foreign nation over American vessels
= on the coasts of the United States OIL
the seas adjacent thereto. 1t will be
/ seen by the last communication from
the British Charged Affaires to the
Department Of State, that he is author
; lied to assure the Secretary Of State
that every care will be taken that, in
executing the preventive measure a
= gainst the expeditions, which the Unit
ed States Government itself has de
nounced as not being entitled to tho
protection of any government, no inter
ference shall take place with the Lawful
commerce of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence
on this subject, herewith submitted
official information has been received
at tie Department of State, of assur
anccs 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 tho flag Of the United
States wherever it might appear, and
to commit no act of hostility upon any
vessel or armament under its protec
ton.
Ministers and consuls Of foreign ma
tons are the means and agents of com
munication between us and those ma
tons, and it is Of the utmost import
ance that, while residing in the country
they should feel perfect security SC
long as they faithfully discharge then
respective duties and are guilty Of nc
violation of our laws. This is the adj
mittcd law Of nations, and no country
has a deeper interest in maintaining il
than the United States. Our commerce
spreads over every sea and visits every
cline and our ministers and consuls arc
appointed to protect the interests Of
that commerce, as well as to guard the