The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-05-06
The Duties OF NeutrRls.


holders of the State.'
The Duties OF Neutrals.
In yesterdays Crescent published the cee-
brated proclamation of President Washington,
issued by the advice of his Cabinet, composed of
Hamilton, Knox, Jefferson and Randolph. To-day
we present to our readers the opinions of Washing
ton and Jefferson, embodied in their official
documents. 1t will be SEEM that these fully sustain
the position assumed by President Fillmore But
what makes them more emphatic, is the fact that
at the time, there was no statute on the subject |
and both Washington and Jefferson acted under
the sanction of the law of nations. The Chief JUS
tice of the United States in 1893, charged the
Grand Jury for the District of Virginia, that they
had the Jurisdiction to persons of offences
against the law of nations. Indictments were
found and persons put trial, but acquitted and
| the we'll settled rule is, that the Federal
Courts can only punish such offences
merated by statute. But the act of 1877, settles
| this question.
Tie Delta of Sunday morning pronounces the
President a liar And this, because he alleges
that foreigners are setting foot expedition
against nation with which this country is at peace
The name of Jefferson is invoked by the Delta
doubtless to finish off period. We have cited the
opinions of this great statesman. Henry Clay, too,
is called in to help this We quote from his
great speech the emancipation of South America,
delivered March "a, 1878:
81 am no propaganda. would seek to force upon
other nations principles and our liberty. if they do not
want them would disturb the repose of detesta
BILE despoism.''
If men were mustered and expeditions set on foot
for the aid of the Greeks or Hungarians, any
other people, they were illegal acts, liable to be
punished and it the duty of the Executive 10
have suppressed them. But surely this inacton is
no Justification for President Fillmore. 1t is his
+ duty TO see that the laws are executed. He has
taken oath in the presence of the people to per-
form his duties Now when the papers from Maine
to Louisiana are filled with rumors of invasion
when a steamer is found under suspicious crcum-
stances in of our ports when the public at
tenon is all alive the subject, is he to be the
only man ignorant of what is going on.
| Now, one word to the mercenary character
| of the expedition. Were not papers captured by
| the Spanish cruisers, which showed conclusvey
that officers and men were to receive large grants
Of land ! Does not the Delta know, too, that large
amounts of bonds were sold in and about Natchez,
the residence of Gen. Quitman, for ten the
| dollar!
But President Fillmore can well submit to the
| vulgar abuse of the Delta for Washington himself
could not avoid the ISLANDERS of the press when he
| issued his proclamation. .....
| We give below the extracts from Washington
| and Jefferson
" As the in Europe had embraced those pow
with whom the United States have the extensive
ons there to apprehend that Tour intercourse
with them might be interrupted, and our disposition Tor peace
question: by the suspicious often entertained
by belgernt nations 1t seemed therefore, to be duty
amonish citizens of the consequences of conaband
ade and of hostile of the partesi and to OBJ
AIM by declaration of the existing Legal of things
easier admission of right the mmunites belonging
situation Under these impressions, the proclaim alton
which laid before you, was issued.
" In this posture of affairs, both and delicate
oved to adopt general rules which should conform to the
reates and assert the privileges OF the United States
These reduced into system, which will be communi
ated to Although have not felt myself at liberty to
orbd the sale of these prizes. permitted by treaty OF
with France to be brought ports have
refused them be restored when they
within the protection of ourtetoy, or by vessels
e nssioned and equipped waike FORM within the limits
g. If the United States
with the wisdom of Congress to correct improve
enforce this plan OF procedure and it will probably be
ound expedent extend the legal code. and the usdi
re ion of the courts of the United States which,
ough dependent principles already recognized demand
. ONE further provisions.
e When individuals shall. within the United States, ara,
IL themselves in hostility against Of the powers
military expeditions enterprises, within tn
United States and exercise judicial authority with
\, IF the law Of nations have been indisincy mark
inadequate; these offences earl
md close attention. and require prompt and decisive
Is lies" washing ton's Message December 8, 1898.
The United States having taken part in the whc
IN had embraced in Europe the Powers with whom they hav
id he extensive relations, the maintenance of peace
justly to be regarded of the important duties
he magistrate charged with the faithful execution of tn
laws We accordingly Witness with appreciation and plea
d. ure the vigilance with you guarded against
hat Ezipu Inv m aHn
e hing citizens Of the of Illicit hostile
ns towards the belgerent parties and pomotng by decla
auon OF the existing legal state of things easier adms
Of our right to the immunes belonging situation
Dec. Z 1898. 81 eakes Address the President of
H. United States-Muhlenberg.
Of In relation to still subsstng war in Europe my ORC
amaon of April u 1898, the index my plan Since he
ord by approving voice. and by that of Repese
the tve both houses of Congress the spirit OF that
Gan continually rned nnnfuenced by attempts
in deter or divert me from it.
" The duty of holding neutral conduct may be inien
aP without any thing more, from the obligation which Just
se aud honesty impose every nation in in which
of Tree act maintain nvsate the relations of
.s amity TO other nations Farewell Address.
SIN the course this conflict let be enieavo
il our interest and DESIRE cultivate the friendship OF
y beseren nations BY every act of Justice and Of nn0S
kindness to receive their armed vessels with hospitality
dsesses of the sea, but TO administer the means Of
Gu to merit the character OF lust nat
and maintain that of an independent one. Congress
but consider whether the existing laws enable us ehcacou
be maintain this course with citizens in all places, and
TRY onefs' WINE within tie nins vi our - =,
me, tae mem 'ne ne" iuoahea.oA. ,SoS ''
nee '''eeN' L'ehe'soh E"esase. o'- - ~
and Complaints have been received that persons resid
lot within United States have taken on themselves
J00 merchant vessels and force with certain
rule aud countrss desauce of laws of those countr
mat Individuals should undertake private war,
dependenty of the authority of their country, cannot be
sdale United in well society Its tendency to prod
as aggression on the laws and rights of other nations and
prn the peace OF our OWL is so obvious that douhI
wing you VIII adopt measures Tor restraining es ctuay
''e ture" tJeiierson's Message, Nov. s. 1894.
IL the neutral power not, consistent with its Il
was lliiy furnish either party for their aid in war
The e can either enrol them in the territory by
law OF nations BY treaties with several of The he'll
p en powers which part Of the the land W.
estatlshsd style Of peace with them. But mhon, .pp
SIS -ssD IT, s'."