Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-06

Government,
ington several laws passed for this purpose The
main provisions of these laws reenacted by the act
Of April 1918, by which, amongst other things was ue
cared that if any person SHALL within the territory or
jurisdiction of the United States begin or set on loot or
provide prepare the for any military expedition
enterprise to be carried from thence against c ter
rory dominion of any foreign Prince or state or OF
any colony district people with whom the unted
guilty of high msdemeanor and shall be nned not ex-
ceedng three thousand dollars and imprisoned not more
than three years and this law has been executed ana
enforced the full extent OF the power OF the GOVERN
ment, from that day TO this
In procamng and adhering TO the doctrine OF neutra-
y and non-interyenon the United States have not fol-
lowed the lead of other civilized natons they have taken
the lead themselves, and have been followed by others
This was admitted by Of the most eminent OF modern
British statesmen, who said In Parliament while MINIS
ter of the that II ne wished Tor gide IN sys
tenn of neutrality he should take that laid down by Anne
RIGA in the DAYS of Washington and the secretaryshp OF
jefferson !" and in fact that the act OF Congress
of 1918 was followed the succeeding year. by an act Of
the Parliament of England substantially the same IN ITS
general provisions Up to that time there had been no
similar law in England except certain highly penal sta
utes passed in the reign of George H. prohibiting English
subjects from enstng in foreign service the ayowed OBJ
ec of which statute that foreign armies, raised for
the 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 into execuonn country now having three
or four thousand miles of seacoast with an INFINITE num-
her Of ports and harors and small inets from of
which unlawful expeditions may suddenly set FORTH with
out the knowledge OF government against the Possessos
of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but entangling alliances
with none has long been maxim with u.s. Our true mis-
sion is not to propagate opinions. P6sA upon
oIner countries form 81 Government by arti6ce OF
force put to teach by example and show by
moderation and justice, the blessings of sefgovernmen
and the advantages of free institutions Let every people
choose for ITSELF and make and alter its political nstu
tons to sutits condition and convenience. But,
while we avow and nantain this neutral policy ourselves,
anxious the same forbearance on the part OF
other nations whose forms of Government different
from own. The deep interest which we feel in the
spread of liberal principles and the establishment OF free
Governments and the sympathy with which we witness
every struggle against oppression, forbid that should
be Indifferent in which the strong of foreign
Power invoked to se public sentiment and reEress the
spirit of freedom in any country.
The Governments of Great Britain and France have is
sued orders to their naval commanders the West India
station prevent by force if necessary, the landing
Adventures from any nation the Island Of Cuba with
hostile intent The copy of memorandum of
ton this subject between the Charge Aaires of her
Britannia Majesty and the Acting Secretary of State and
of subsequent of the former to the Department
State, herewith submitted together with copy of
note of the Acting Secretary of State to the Minister of
the French Republic and of the reply of the latter the
subject These papers will acquaint you with the
grounds of this nterpostion of the two leading
cal Powers of Europe and with the apprehensons which
this Government could not fail entertain that such in
terposon if carried into effect might lead to abuses
derogaton of the maritime rights of the United States
The maritime rights of the United States founded
firm, secure, and well-dehned 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
lemny announced it still adheres to- and will maintain
under all circumstances and at all hazards That prnc-
pie is that in every regularly documented merchant
SELL the who navigate it and those board of it,
will find their protection in the flag which is them
No American ship be allowed be visited or search
tba IF IF ipJ
vduals board there be allowed any watch by
the vessels of any foreign nation American vessels
the coasts of the United States the adjacent
thereto 1t will be by the last communication from
the British Charge dAares to the Department of State
that he is authorized the Secretary of State that
every will be taken that in executing the preventive
against the expeditions which the United States
Government itself has denounced as not being entitled to
the protection of any Government interference shall
take place with the lawful commerce of any nation
In addition the correspondence this subject here
suhrAi..ed, osciul information has been received at
the Department of State of by the French
Government that in the orders given the French naval
forces they expressly instructed in any operations
they might engage in to respect the flag of the United
States wherever 1t might appear and to commit act of
hostility upon any vessel armament under its pro-
lection.
Ministers and consus of foreign nations are the means
and agents of communication between and those ma
tons, and is of the utmost Importance that while re-
siding In the country they should feel perfect security
long they faithfully discharge their respective duties
and guilty of violation of our laws This is the
admitted law of nations and country has deeper in
terest in maintaining it than the United States Our
commerce spreads every and visits every Cline
and our ministers and consus appointed protect the
interests OF that commerce. well guard the peace
of the country and maintain the honor of its flag But
how they discharge these duties unless they be them
selves protected and if protected it be by the
laws of the country in which they reside And what is
due to public functonaries residing in foreign
nations is exactly the of what is due to the fnnc
tonares Of other Governments residing here As in war;
the bearers OF flags of truce sacred, else
would be nterminabe, in peace ambassadors, public
minister's and consus charged with friendly national in
tercourse 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 dur
ing the excitement growing out of the executions Ha-
vana, the Office of her Catholic Majesys consul New
Orleans was assaed by mob, his property destroyed
the Spanish flag found in the Office carried off and
pieces and he himself induced fee for his personal
safety which he supposed to be in danger On receiving
Intelligence of these events forthwith directed the at
tney of the United States residing New Orleans to
inquire into the facts and the extent of the pecunary loss
sustained by the CONSUL with the intention of laying them
before you that you might make provision for such
demnity to him just regard for the honor of the
ton and the respect which is due to friendly Power
might in your judgment, seem to require The CORE
sponence upon this subject between the Secretary
State and her Catholic Majesty Minister Penpoteniary
is herewith transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has led to give my
attention to the state of laws in regard to foreign
bassadors minister's and consus think the legislation
of the country deficient in not providing sufficiently
either for the protection the punishment of consus