Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-12-20
,.-;.invoked to stiAe public sentiment and

-s--~4- s.,e-.
,sr i. invoked to stiae public sentiment ana
,,ress the spirit Of freedom IN any coun.ly.
The governments Of Great Britain and + rance
bove issued orders % their naval COMMANDERS
IN tho West India station to prevent by 1orce'
e necessary. the landing Of adventures iro ;,a
",v nation on the Island of Cuba with hos.,o
intent. The copy of a memorandum o. aeon,
on this subject between the Cna!so
d,Afaires Of her Britannie Majesty ana tne
Acting Secretary Estate, and OF = subsequent
no,a Of the former TO the Department o. >Ia'e'
are berewifh submitted, together with a copy
~ note Of the Acting Secretary OF ptase 70
,he Minister of the French Republic, ana o.
the reply of the latter, on the same ;.I tI,e
The.e papers will acquaint you WIZ" .aa
Ground, OF this interposition OF the Two 'eau.
mo commercial powers Of Eu,ope.ano Witty
.pnrehensions which this Government cou'a
npt ,a;l to entertain, that such nterpoS'''oh' II
narr;sd into effect, might lead TO abuses III "e,
@roaation of the maritime rights OF the Uhi.eu
States. The maritime rights OF tins I"'.1'
S,ot.s are founded on q firm, secure ana "e'',
dsEned basis; they stand upon the grouno .,
National Independence and public law' anu M"'
be maintained in all their full ana Jus1 eA.e"' ,
The principle which this Govefliu n IT, j."
heretofore so EMMY announced II sun "u''el.'
Ia. and will maintain under all circumstances
md at all hazards. That principle IS 'hat ~
every regularly documented merchant 'esse,
The crews who navigate it. and those on ooaru
If II. will find tlei: protection in the tag when
is over item. No American snip can
he allowed to be visited or searched Tor me pnr-
nose of ascertaining tile character OF lhdi''o-
nails on board, nor can there be allowed any
watch by the vessels of any foreign nation over
American vessels on the Coast OF the un Yea
States or the seas adjacent thereto. IL Will oe
seen nv the last communication from t'e
British Charge d'AfGaires to the Department. OF
State that he is authorized to assure the Sec"
retary of State that every care VIII De TAKEN
that, in executing the preventive measures
against The expeditions, which the United ates
Government itself has denounced as not being
entitled to the protection OF any government,
no interference shall take place with the awful
Of any nation. ~.
In addition to the correspondence on this
subiect. herewith submitted, official
has been received at the Department OF ota'e'
OF assurances by the French Government toa'
in the orders given to the French naval fofces'
they were expressly instructed, IN any opera
ton they might engage in, to respect the nag
of the United States wherever II inis ht APPEAR
and to commit no act of hostility upon any YES
eel or armament under its protection
Ministers and ~consuls of foreign nations are
the means and agents of communication De-
tween US and those nations, and 1t Is OF the Ut
most Importance that. while residing in the conn-
try, they should feel a perfect security SO long
as they fai hfully discharge their respective du-
ties. and are guilty of no vocation OF our Avs
This il the Admitted law Of nations, and no
coun,ry has u deeper interest in maintaining IT
than the United States. Our spreads
over every sea and visits every cline, ana our
ministers and %consuls are appointed to protect
the interests of that commerce, as well IS 10
guard the peace Of the country and MAINTAIN
the hoaor Of its flag. But how can they dis
charpe these duties unless they be themselves
protected and if protected, it must be by the
laws of the country in which they reside. And
what is due to our own pubic functionarles re-
siding il foreign nations is exactly the measure
Of what is due to the functionaries OF other
Government residing here. AS in wal, the bear
ers Of flags Of truce are sacred, or else wars
would be interminable, 50 in peace, enDassa'
dors, public ministers, and consuls charged win
friendly national intercourse, are OBJECTS OF es-
pecial respect and protection, each according 10
the rights belonging to his rank and station. In
view Of these important principles, it is with
deep modification and regret announce to you
that, during the excitement growing out OF the
executions at Havana, the Office OF her Catho-
10 Maiesty's Consul at New Orleans was as
sailed by . mob, his property destroyed the
Spanish flag found in the Office carried of and
torn in pieces, andhe himself induced to flee for
his personal safety, which he supposed to pc in
danger. On receiving intellige nee OF these
ey1nts, | forthwith directed the Attorney OF the
United States residing at New Orleans to in
quire into the facts and The extent of the pecu-
mary loss sustained by the Consul, with the
Attention of laying them before you, that you
might make provision for such indemnify to him
ass Just reward for the honor Of the nation and
the ysspecct which is due to a friendly power
might in your Judgment, seem TO require. The
correspondence upon this subject, between the
Secretary Of Stale and her Catholic Majesty's
Minister Plenipotentiary is herewith transmit
ted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me
TO give my attention to the state OF our laws
in regard to foreign ambassadors, ministers,
and %consuls. ! think the legislation Of the
country il defcieatin not providing sufficiently
either for the protection or the punishment OF
~consuls. ] therefore recommend the subject
tothe consideration of Congress.
Your attention is again invited TO the qnes-
tion Of reciprocal trade between the United
States and Canada and other British possess
ions near our frontier. Oyertures for q con-
yen.ion upoa this subject have been received
from her Britanic Majesty's Minister Plenipo-
~tentiary, but it Seems to be in many respects
preferable that the matter should be regula-
led BY reciprocal legislation. Documents are
before you showing the terms which the
British Government is willing to offer, and the
measures which it may adopt If some arrange
upon this subject shall not be made.
From the accompanying copy Of note from
49, ~ 49, t8f #H49..& &@ = NJ H1 .& B&W&# YEH.s l