Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-12-05

our form of government, by article or force;
but to teach by example, and show by our sue
cess, moderation and Justice. the blessings of
self. government, and the advantages of free
institutions. Let every people choose for it's
elf, and make and alter its political institutions
to suit its own condition and convenience
But while we avow and maintain this neutral
policy ourselves, we are anxious to see the
same forbcarance on the part of other nations,
whose forms of government are different from
our own. he deep interest which we feel i'll
the spread of liberal principles and the estab
lishnent of free governments, and the sympa-
thy with which we witness every struggle
against oppression, forbid that we should be
Indifferent to u case i'll which the strong arm of
a foreign power Is invoked to stiie pub 'ic sen
tnent and repress the spirit Of freedom in any
country.
The governments of Great Britain and
Fiance have issued orders to their naval COM
manders on the West India station to prevent
BY force, if necessary, the landing of adventu.
rers from any nation on the Island of Cuba
with hostile intent. The copy of Il menorun-
DUN of a conversation on this subject between
the Charge d. Afldrcs Of her Britannia VI les-
ty and the Acting Secretary Of State, and OF Il
subs 'qucnt note of the former TO the Depart
ment of State, are herewith submitted. togeth-
er with a copy of note of the Acting Secrc-
tary of state to the Minister Of the French Re-
public, and of the reply of the latter, on the
same subject. These papers will acquainl you
| with the grounds OF TINS nierpDStloD of the
| two leading commercial powers of Europe,
and with the approximations, which this GOVERN
mcnt could not f,ll To entertain, thlt such III
terpostion, if carried into effect. might lead tc
abuses in derogntion Of the maritime rights o
| hh ~ IN Of Ia,
United States, are founded ON II firm, secure
and well-deiined basis; they stand upon tn,
ground OF National Independence aud publ,
law, and will be maintained in all their full ant
lust extent
The principle which this Government In.
heretofore suemnlv announced 1t still adh re-
to, and will maintain under all circumstance
and at all hazards. Thlt principle is, that il
: every regularly documruted merchant vessel
the crew who .vlgatc It, and those on boar,
of it, will find th III protection III the Il ~ whicl
is over thcu. No American ship cln he al
lowed to be visited or So lrchrl for the purpose
of asccrtainlng the character of individuals ur
board. nor can there be allowed any watch b.
, the vessels OF any foreign milton over Amen
can vessels on the coasts OF the nItcd State
or the seas ad iccnt the etu. will be see
by the last communication from the British
: barge dAilIlrcs to the Department of State
that he Is authorin" t. assure the Secretary u
, Stats that every care will b, taken that, in cX
ecu,ing the preventive measures against tn
expeditions which the United States Govern
ment itself has drnouncc as not being cntltlc
to the protection of any government, no inter
ference shall take place with the lawful Goa,
mercc Of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence on tli
subject. herewith unlimited, official intinrmatlo
has been received at the dcpIrtn. mt of STAT,
of assurances by the French Government thtt
. in the orders given to the French naval force,
they were expressly instructed, in any opera
, tons they might engage IN, to respect the fla
of the United States wherever 1t mrht appeal
and to commit 10 act o.. hostility upon an
vessel or armament I'M Ter it. protection.
Ministers ana Goa ,uls of tn:4lyn ni'ionS mr.
the means AMI agen's of CON nunc .ton be
, tween Us and tn IS, nations, an Il Is Of the Ut
most Importance tn It. while residing in til
country, they should feel a perfect security ;
long they faithfully discharge their respect
i've duties and are guilty of IL ylo. ,tlon Of on
laws. This is the admitted law Of nlriolis. an
no country has Il deeper interest IN III tntaiuln
+ it thin the United States Our comnerc
> spreads over every sea ana visits every cllnt
and our ministers and cuu|ulS are appointed 4
I protect the interests of III 1t commerce, AS we
4 as to guard the peace Of the country and man
tain the nonor OF lis flag. Bat now en- the
discharge these duties unless they be thea
selves protected; AMI # protected, 1t must b
by the laws OF the country III which they re
, side. And VIII Is due to our Oval public tunC
tonnrics residing in foreign nations is cxactl
, the measure OF whit is due to the function
rlcs Of other governments residing here. \
in war, the bearers OF tlgs of truce are 81
cred, or else wars would be intcrn,n tble, 50 i
. peace, ambas' adorS public ministers, an con
suls charged with friendly ntt"ntl intercourse
are objects OF especial respect and protection
, each according 10 tn" rights belonging to hi
rank and station. In view of these lnportar
principles, 1t Is with deep mortliic ttloI and RI
greet announce to You that, during the excite
tlcn' growing ont OF the executions At llLvhna
the office of her ,thollc milcsrv'I consul Il
New rleans wds asSallcd by mob, his prop
, crty destroyed, the Spanish ilig ronnd III III
office carried OF and torn IN pieces, AMI Ii
himself induced to flee for his personal safety
, which he supposed to be IN danger. On RI
, ceivlng Intelligence of these events | t'Irhwlt
directed the attorney of the United States re
siding at New Ore ms 20 inquire into the fac,
and the extent Of the pecnnl Try loss SlIStainr
by the consul, with the intention OF llyln
, them before yOn, IN II No iNlIht make prONl9
ION for such indemnity to him is IA Just regar
for the honor of the nation and the rcSpcl
+, which is due to a friendly power might,
your Judgment, seem TO require. The corrcs
q pondcncc upon tins subject between the Secrc
: tary of State AMI her Catholic malesty's plcn
9 potentlarv l. herewith transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has lc
: me t, give my attention TO the state of OF
Avs in regrrd to foreign cmh1sSrdorS, mini,
ters and consnls. | TANK the legislation {
a the country is deficient IN not providing su,l
centiy either for the protection the punlsl
ment OF cOnSulS. therefore recommend tn
- subject to the consideration OF Congress-
- Your attention IS aglin invited to the que
ton of reclproc, trade between the Unite
, States and Can ida and other British posse,
> siOns near oar frontier byerures for a cur
: vention upon this subject have been receive
from her Brltanulc Malcsty's Minister PlenIpc
Tertiary, but it seems to be III many respect
preferable that the mlttcr should be regulate
= by reciprocal lie ElSlatlon. Documents are hi
" before you showing the terms which the Br
J. tlsh government Is willing to offer, and I'll