Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-08

, artlticc Or toIce; but to teach by example
and show by our success, moderation ane
. justice. the blessings Of self government
| and the advantages of free Institutions -
, Let every people choose for iself, ane
alter lis political institutions TO suit its own
condition and convepiencs. But, while we
avow and maintain this neutral policy our.
selves we are anxious to see the same for.
bearance 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 principles
and the establishment offree governments,
and the sympathy with which We witness
every struggle against oppression, forbid
that we should be Indifferent TO q case in
which The strong arm Of q foreign power is
press the spirit OF freedom in aev country.
The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their EavaI
commanders on the West India station to
prevent by force, ii necessary, the landing
OF adventures from any nation on the Is
and of Cuba with hostile intent. The copy
of, a memorandum of conversation on this
subject between the Charg'd Affairs Of her
Britannia Majesty aud the Acting secreta-
ry Of State. and tf subsequent note OF the
former to the department oi State, are here
with submitted. together with copy Of the
note OF the Acting Secretary OF State to tue
Minister of the French Republic, and Of the
reply Of the latter on dhe same subject.
These papers will acquaint you with the
grounds Of this intetposition oil the two
leading commercial powers Of Europe, and
with the apprehensions, which this Govern
ment could not fail to entertain, that such
interpostion, if carried into effect, might
lead to abuses in derog alton of the maritime
rights of The United States. The maritime
RIG hts of the United States are founded on
firm. secure, and wel-deIined basis; they
stand upon the ground Of National Inde-
pendsnce and public law, and will be main
tanned in all their full and Just extent.
The principle which this Government
has heretofore solemny announced it still
adheres to- and will maintain under all cir
cumstances and at III hazards. That prin-
cipe is. that in every regularly, document
| ed merchant vessel, the crew who navigate
it, and those on board OF it, will fad their
protection in the flag which is over them.
| No American ship can be allowed to be
| visited or searched for the purpose of ascer-
| tanning the character Of indivuals on board,
nor can their be allowed any watch by the
vessel OF any foreign nation over American
| We ;sels on the coasts of the United States,
or the seas adjacent thereto. 1t will be
seen by the last Communication from the
British Charged Affairs 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 preventive
measures against the expeditions which the
| United States Government itself has de-
nounced as not being entitled TO the protec
tion of any government, no interference
| shall take place with the lawful commerce
of any lation.
In addition to the correspondence on this
subject, herewith submitted, official inIor-
nation has been received at the Depart
| ment of State, Of assurances by the French
government that, in the orders given to the
French naval forces, they were expressly
instructed, in any operations they might en-
gage in, to respect the flag of the United
States wheneverlt 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 communica-
| tion between us and those nations, and it is
of the utmost Importance that, while resid-
ing in the country they should feel per-
fecl security SO long as they faithfully dis
charge their respective duties and are guilty
of no violation Of our laws. This is he ad-
| mi,,ed law of nations, and no Country mas a
deeper interest in maintaining it, than the
United States. Our commerce spreads o.
yer every sea and visits every clin e
and our ministers and consuls are appoint
ed to protect the interests of that commerce,
as well as to guard The peace Vi the country
| and malutail the honor ot Its hag. But
how can hey discharge these dulles, unless
they be themselves protected! and, ii pro-
tccteF, it must be by the laws u the I'M
try ih which they reside. Aud what is
due 10 our own public iunctIunaIles resid-
ing in foreign nations Is exactly the meas
ure of what is due to the runCtlunaries of
other governments residing here. As in
soS oSo'SiS o' VI ~ wv a. 2 Sao'SAj
or else wars would be InlermIua BILE, So in
peace, embassadors, pubic ministers aid
consuls, charged with friendly nslIonal in
tercoulse, are objects ui especial respect and
protection, eacn according ~ the rishts be-
longing to his rank aud station. Iu view
Ut these lmportant principles, 1t 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 Orleaus
was assai!ed by IA mob, his property destroy
ed, the Spanish Hags Iound III the office car
ried OFT aud torn Ia pieces, ard he himself
induced to flee Tor his personal safety which
he supposed to be in danger. On receiving
intelligence Of these events, forthwith d.
rected the attorney Of the United States re-
siding at New Orleans to inquire into the
facts aud the extent ul the pecuulary luss
sustained by the consul, with the lnreution
Of laying them before YOU, that you might
make provision Tor such Indemnity to hun,
as a lust req ard for the honor OF the nation |