Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-12

OF d1FenlufefS from any HatioD on the 10
land of Cuba, with hostile intent.
The copy of memorandum of Con-
vention on this subject, between the Charge
de Affairs of Her Britanic Majesty and the
acting Secretary of State, and a subsequent
note of the former to the Department OF
State, are herewith submitted, together
with a copy of note of the acting Secretary
of State TO the Minister of the French Re-
public, and the reply of the latter on the
same subject. The papers will acquant
you with the ground of this interpositlon OF
the two leading commercial powers of Eu-
rope, and with the apprehensions which
this Government could not fail to entertain,
that such interposition. if carried into effect,
might lead to abuses in derogation of the
maritime rights of the United States.
The maritime rights of the United States
I are on a firm, secure and well-defned basis;
they stand upon the ground of national in
dependence and public law, and will be
maintained in all their just extent The
principle which this GoverHment has here
tofore solemnly announced, it still adheres
! to, and will maintain, under all circumstan-
ces and at all hazards. That principle is,
that in every regularly documented mer-
chant vessel the crew who navigate Il, and
/ those on board of it will find their protec-
+ ton in the flag that is over them. No A
merican ship can be allowed to be visited
or searched for the purpose of ascertainlng
the character of individuals on board nor
can there be allowed any watch, by vessels
ofany foreign nation, over American ves-
sells. on the coast of the United States or the
seas adjacent thereto.
1t will be seen by the last communication
from the British Charge de Affaires to the
Department of State, that he is authorized
to assure the Secretary of State that every
care will be taken that in executing the
preventative measures against which the
United States Government itself has de-
clared, as not being entitled to the protec-
/ ton of any government, no interference
! shall take place with the la Sful commerce
of any nation. In addition to the cores
pondence on this subject herewith submit
( ted, official information has been received
at the department of State, of assurance
1 by the French Government that, in the or
ders given to the French naval forces, they
were expressly ins tructed, IN any operations
they nj ght engage in, to respect the flag
/ of the United States wherever it might ap-
pear, and TO commit no act of hostility up
/ on any vessel, or armament, under its pro-
! lection.
! Ministers and consuls of foreign nations
are the means and agents communication
between us and those nations, and it is of
utmost importance that while residing in
the country, they should enjoy perfect Sc
curity, 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 a deeper
interest in maintaining it than the United
States.
Our commerce spreads over every sea
visits every cline: our Ministers and con-
suls are appointed to protect that commerce,
as well as to guard the peace of the coun-
/ try and maintain the honor ofits flag. But
how can they discharge those duties unless
| they be themselves protected, and if they
/ be protected by the laws of the e-country in
which they reside, then what is due to our
own public functionaries residing in foreign
nations, is exactly tie measure of what is
due to their functionaries 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
intercourse, are objects of especial respect
and protection, each according to the rights
belonging to his rank and station.
In view of these important principles, it
is with deep modification and regret | an
nounce to you, that during the excitement
J IF bo a1-acutiop- at Havana
{ the Office of her Catholic Majesty's Consul
at New Orleans was assailed by mob,
his property destroyed, the Spanish flag,
found in his office, carried off and torn to
pieces. and he himself induced to flee for his
personal safety, which he reported to be in
danger. On receiving intelligence of these
events, l forthwith directed the Attorney
of the United States residing at New Or
leans, to enquire into the facts, and the
extent of the pecuniary loss sustained by
the Consul, with the intention oflaying them
before you that you might make provision
for such indemnity to him as a just regard
| for the honor of the nation, and che respect
which is due to friendly power, might,
in your judgment, seem to require. The
correspondence upon this subject between
the Secretary of State and ner Catholic
Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, is here
with submitted.
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 legis-
lation of the country is deficient in not pro-
viding sufficiently, either for their protec-
ton, or the punishment Of their offences.
| therefore, recommend the subject to the
consideration of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the
question of reciprocal trade between the
| United States and Canada, and other Brit
| ish possessions near our frontier. Over
lures for convention ON this subject have
been received from her Britanic Majesty s
Minister Plenipotentiary, but it seems to be
in many respects preferable, that the mat
ter should be regulated by reciprocal legis-
lat;or. Documents are laid before You
showing the terms which the British Gov
ernment is willing to offer and the meas
ures which it may adopt, if some arrange
ment upon this subject shall not be made.
From the accompanying copy of a note
from the British Legation at Washington,
and the reply of the Department of State
thereto, it will appear that her Britanic
Majesty's Government is desirous that a