Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-12-11

set forth, without the knowledge of Govern.
ment, against the possessions of foreign States
Friendly relations with all, but entangline
alliances with none, has long been maxim
with us. Our true mission is not to propagate
our opinions, or impose upon other countries
our form of government, by artifice or force;
but to teach by example, and show by our
success, moderation and justice, the blessings
of selfgovernment and the advantages of free
institutions. Let every people choose for it.
self, and make and alter its political institu-
tons to suit. its own condition and conven-
fence. But, while we avow and maintain
this neutrality policy ourselves, we are anx-
ious to see the same for5earance on the part OF
other nations, whose forms of government are
different from our own. The deep interest
which we feel in the spread of liberal prin-
ciples and the establishment of free govern
ments, and the sympathy with which we wit
ness every struggle against oppression, forbid
that we should be indifferent to a case in
which the strong arm of foreign power is
invoked to sti1e public sentiment and repress
the spirit Of freedom in any country.
The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their naval COM
manders on the West India station to prevent
by force, if necessary, the landing of adven-
turers from any nation on the Island of Cuba
with hostile intent The copy of memo
randum of conversation on this subject be-
tween the Charge d'Affairs of her Britannia
Majesty and the Acting Secretary of State,
and of a subsequent note of the former to the
Department Of State, are herewith submitted,
together with a copy of a note of the Acting
Secretary of State to the Minister of the
French republic, and of the reply of the lat
ter, on the same subject. These papers will
acquaint you with the grounds of this inter-
position of the two leading commercial pow
ers of Europe, and with the apprehensions,
which this Government could not fail to en-
tertain, that such interposition, if carried into
effect, might lead to abuses in derogation of
the maratime rights of the United States
The mdratime rights of the United States are
founded on a firm, secure, and well-defned
basis; they stand upon the ground of National
Independence and public law, and will be
maintained in all their full and Just extent.
The principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced, it still ad-
heres to, and will maintain under all hazards
That principle is, that in every regularly doc
umented merchant vessel, the crew who nav
Igate it, and those on board of it, will find
their protection in the flag which is over them.
No American ship can be allowed to be visi-
ted or searched for the purpose of ascertaining
the character of individuals on board, nor
can there be allowed any watch by the yes
sells of any foreign nation over American YES
sells on the coasts Of the United States, or the
seas adjacent thereto. 1t will be seen by the
last communication from the British Charge
d 'Afaires to the Department of State, that he
is authorized to assure the Secretary of State
that every care will be taken that, in eYecu-
ting the preventive measures against the eX-
peditlons, which the United States Govern
ment itself has denounced as not being inti-
tied to the protection of any government, no
shall take place with the lawful
commerce of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence on this
subject, herewith submitted, official informa-
ton has been received at the Department of
State, of assurances by the French Govern
ment that, in the orders given to the French
naval forces, they were expressly instructed,
III any operations they might engage in, to
the flag of the United States wherev-
er 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 Importance that, while residing in the
they should feel perfect security
SO long as they faithfully discharge their re-
spective duties and are guilty of no violation
of our laws This is the admitted law of ma
tions, and no country has deeper interest in
it than the United STATES. Our
commerce spreads over every sea and visits
every cline, and our Ministers and Consuls are
appointed to protect the interests of that COM
merce, as well as to guard the peace of the
country and maintain the honor Of its flag
But how can they discharge these duties un-
less they be themselves protected; and, if pro-
tected, it must be by the laws of the country
in which they reside. And what is due to
our own public functionaries residing in for
eign nations, is exactly the measure of what
is due to the functionaries of other Govern
ments- residing here.
AS IN war, the bearers of flags of truce are
sacred, or else wars would be intermnable,
so in peace. Ambassadors, public Ministers
and Consuls, charged with friendly national
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 | announce to you
that, during the excitement growing out of
the executions 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 the Office carried
off and torn in pieces, and he himself induced
10 flee for his personal safety, which he sup
posed to be in danger. On receiving intelli-
gence of these events, | forthwith directed the
attorney Of the United States residing at N.
Orleans to inquire into the facts and the ex-
tent of the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention of laying them be-
fore you, that you might make provision for
such indemnity to him as just regard for
the honor of the nation and the respect which
is due to a friendly power might, In your
udOment. seem 10 rpofirp Il he CORRESPONDS