Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-10

The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their naval
on the West India station to
by force, if necessary, the landing
nf adventurers from. any nation on the
the Island of Cuba with hostile intent
The copy of memorandum OF a CONVEX
sation on the subject between the Charge
d'Affairs of her Britanic Majesty, and the
Acting Secretary of State, and Of sub
sequent note of the former to the Depart
ment of the State, are herewith submitted,
together with a copy Of a note. of the Ac-
ting 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
of this interposition of the two leading
commercial powers of Europe, and with
the apprehensions, which this Govern
ment could not fail 10 entertain, that such
interposition, if carried into effect, might
lead to abuses in derogation of the mari
time rights of the United States. The
maritime rights of the United States are
founded on firm, secure, and well-de6-
ned 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
adheres to, and will maintain under all
circumstances and at ali hazards. That
principle is, that in every regularly docu-
mented merchant vessel, the crew who
navigate it, and thoSs on board OF Il, will
find their protection in the flag which is
over them. No American ship can be
allowed to be visited or searched for the
purpose of ascertaining the character of
individuals on board, nor can there be al
lowed any watch by the. vessels of any
foreign nations over American vessels on
the coast of the United States or the
seas adjacent thereto. 1t will be seen by
the last communication from the British
Charge d'Affaires to the Department of
State, that he is authorised to assure the
Secretary of State that every care will be
taken that, in executing the preventative
measures against the expeditions, which
the United States Government itself has
denounced as not being entitled to the
protection of any government, no interfe-
renee shall take place with the lawful
commerce of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence oil
this subject, herewith submitted, official
information has been received at the De-
partment of State, of assurances by the
French government that, in the orders
given to the French naval forces, they
were expressly instructed, in any opera
tions they might engage in, to respect the
flag of the United States wherever 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 communica-
ton between us and those nations, and it
is of the utmost Importance that, while
residing in the country, they should feel
a perfect security so long as they faith
fully discharge their respective duties and
are guilty of no violation of our laws
This is the admitted law of nations, and
no country has deeper interest in main
tanning it than the United States. Our
commerce spreads over every sea and vi
sits every cline; and our ministers and
consuls are appointed to protect the inte-
rests of that commerce, as we'll as to guard
the peace of the country and maintain the
honor of its flag. But how they discharge
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 pub
lie functonaries residing in foreign nations
IS exactly the measure of what is due to
Al. e,
siding here. AS in war, the bearers of
flags Of truce are sacred, or else wars
would be interminable, SO in peace, en-
bassadors, public ministers and consuls,
charged with friendly national intercourse,
are objects of especial respect and protec-
ton, each according to the rights belong
ing to his rank and station. In view of
these important principles, it is with deep
and regret l announce to you
that, during the excitement growing out
of the executions at Havana, the office of
her Catholic majcsty's consul at New Or
leans was assaulted by mob, his proper
ty destroyed, the Spanish flag found in
the Office carried off and torn in pieces,
and he himself induced to flee for his per-
sonal safety, which he supposed to be in
danger Onreceiving intelligence Of these
events, forthwith directed the attorney
of the United States residing in New Or
leans, to inquire into the facts and the ex
tent of the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention of laying them
before you, that you might make provi-
sion for such indemnity to him as a just
regard for the honor of the nation and the
respect which is due to friendly power
might, in your judgment, seem to require.
The correspondence upon this subject be-
tween the Secretary of State and her Cath
Ole majesty's plenipotentiary, is herewith
transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has led
me TO give my attention to the state of
our laws in relation to foreign embassa-
doris, ministers and consuls. l think the