The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-12-11
)LUMBIA COUNTY, PA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1851.

by one of the most eminent of modern
British statesmen, who said in Parliament
while minister Of the crown, "that, if
he wished for guide in system of neu-
trality, he should take that laid down by
America in the days of Washington and
the Secretaryship of Jefferson;" and we
see, in fact, that the act of Congress f1s1e
was followed, the succeeding year, by an
act of the Parliament of England, sub
stantially the same in its general provis-
ions. UP to that time there had been no
similar law in England, except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign
of George II prohibiting English sub
jects from enlisting in foreign service, the
avowed object of which statutes was, that
fordign armies, raised for the pur-
pose of restoring the house of Stuart to
the throne, should not be strengthened by
recruits from England herself
All must see that difficulties may arise
in carrying the laws referred to into exc
cution in country now having three or
four thousand miles of sea-coast, with an
infinite number of ports and harbors and
small inlets, from some of which unlawful
expeditions may suddenly set forth, with
out the knowledge of fGovernment, against
the possessions of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but entang-
ling alliances with none, has long been q
maxim with us. Our true mission is not
to propagate our opinions, or impose upon
other countries our form of government,
by artifce or force; but to teach by exam
pie, and show by our success, moderation
and justice, the blessings of self-govern-
ment, and the advantages of free institu-
tions. Let every people choose for itself,
and make and alter its political institu-
tions to suit its own condition and conve-
nience. But, while we avow and main
tain this neutral policy ourselves, we are
anxious to see the same forbearance on the
part of other nations, whose forms of gov
ernment are different from our own. The
deep interest which VIC feel in the spread
of liberal principles and the establishment
of free governments, and the sympathy
with which we witness every struggle a
gainst oppression, forbid that we should be
Indifferent to case in which the strong
arm of foreign power is invoked to stiAe
public sentiment and repress the spirit of
freedom in any country.
The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their naval
commanders on the West India station to
prevent by force, if necessary, the land
ing of adventurers from any nation on the
Island of Cuba with hostile intent. the
copy of memorandum of conversation
on this subject between the Charge d. At
faires of her Brittanic Majesty and the
acting Secretary of State, and of subse-
quent note of the former to the Depart
ment of State, are herewith submitted, to-
gether with copy of a note of the Acting
Secretary of State to the Minister of the
French Republic, and of the reply of the
latter, on the same subject. These papers
will acquaint you with the grounds ofthis
interposition of the two leading CONNER
cial powers of Europe, and with the ap-
prehensions, which this Government could
not fail to entertain, that such interposi-
tion, if carried into effect. might lead to
abuses in derogation of the maritime rights
of the United States. The maritime rights
of the U. States are founded on firm, Sc
cure, and well-defned basis; they stand
upon the ground of National Indepen-
dence and public law, and will be main
tanned in all their full and just extent.
The principle which thisgovcrnment has
heretofore solemnly announced it still ad-
heres to, and will maintain under all cir.
cumstances and at all hazards. That prin.
ciple is, that in every regularly documen.
ted merchant vessel; the crew who navi.
gate it, and those on board of it, will find
their protection in the flag which is ovei
them. No American ship can be allow
ed to be visited or searched for the pur'
pose of fascertaining the character of indi
viduals on board, nor can there be any
watch by the vessels of any foreign natior
over American vessels 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. Affaires to ,ht
Department of State, that he is authorized
, to assure the Secretary of State that eve
ry care will be taken that, in executing tht
preventive measures against the expedi
, tions, which the United States Govern
ment itself has denounced as not beinl
VueeiSu w eno PiosSoolon VI any Sofein
ment, no interference shall take place will
the lawful commerce of any nation.
!, In addition to the correspondence ol
, this subject, herewith submitted, oficia
!, information has been received at the De
partment of State, of assurances by tn
: French government that, il the order
given to the French naval forces, the,
were expressly instructed, in any opera
J tions they might engage in, to respect th
, flag of the United States wherever it Nigh
appear, and to commit no act of hostilit
. upon any vessel or armament under it
protection.
r Ministers and consuls of foreign ma
tions are the means and agents of commu
nication between us and those nations AN
! it is of the utmost Importance that, Will
: residing in the country, they should fec
!. q perfect security so long as they faithful
: ly discharge their respective duties an
= are guilty of no violation of our laws
This is the admitted law of nations, an
: no country has deeper interest in main
$ tanning it than the United States. Gu
0 commerce spreads over every sea and wis
: its every cline, and our ministers an