Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-12-04

territory, or jurisdiction OF the IT, s. begin or set on
foot provide prepare the for any military
dtion enterprise be carried against the territory
or dominion OF any foreign prince State, of any
country, district, people with whom the United States
at peace, every person offending shall be Deem
ed guilty OF high misdemeanor and shall be fined
exceeding $1,000, and imprisoned not than three
years and this law Las been enforced TO the full extent
Of the power of the Government FROM that day this
In procaimng and adherng TO the doctrines of neu-
aty and nonntervention, the United States have not
followed the lead OF other civilized nations. They have
taken the lead themselves and have been followed by
others. This admitted by of the most eminent
of modern British statesmen who said in Parliament,
white minister OF the Crown that il he wished for a
guide IN system of neutrality, he should take that laid
down by America in the days Of Washington and the
Secrctaryshp Of Jefferson and Sec in fact, that the
Act OF Congress- OF 1918. followed the succeeding
year by Act OF Parliament of England, substantially
the same IN its general provisions. Up TO that time
there had been similar law in EDgand except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign of George H.
prohibiting English subjects from engaging in iorega
service, the avowed object Of which statutes was that
foreign armies raised for the purpose oil restoring the
House Of Stuart the throne, should not be strengthen
cd BY recruits from England herself.
Al must that difficulties may arise in carrying
the laws referred to into execution in country
having three four thousand miles oil coast, with
infinite number Of ports and harbors and small nets
from some Of which unlawful expeditions may suddenly
forth without the knowledge OF government against
the possessions Of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, bat eniangng alliances
Win nome mas long been MAXIM Win us. Our true
mission IS, not 10 propagate our opinions or Ia impose
upon other y arthce force but to teach
by example, show By success, moderation and
justice, the blessings Of seEgovernment, and the adj
vaniages of free institutions. Let every people choose
for ITSELF and make and alter its political institutions TO
suit its condition and convenience. But while we
and maintain this neutral policy ourselves, are
anxious the oTbearaEce the part OF other
nations where forms of government different from
our own The deep interest feel in the spread Of
liberal principles and tho establishment of free govern
gle against oppression forbid that should be indifferent
in which the strong Of foreign power
invoked TO ste 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 the West
Inda station to prevent by force il necessary, the land
ING Of adventures from any nation the island Of Cuba,
with hostile intent. The copy Of memorandum Of
conversation this subject between the Charges dec az
fairs Of her Br,tanic Majesty and the Acting Secretary
Of State, and Of subsequent interview and note of the
former the Department of State herewith submitted
together with copy Of olthe acting Secretary OF
State 10 the Minister Of the French RepuLc and the
reply of the latter the subject These papers
will acquani you with the ground OF this inteposon of
the two leading Commercial powers Of Europe, and
with appreheasions which this government could not
fail 10 entertain that such interpretations If carried into
effect might lead to abuses in dcrogaton OF the mara
time rights OF tho United States The maraiime right.
Ct the United States grounded firm secure and
well defined basis. They stand the ground Of Ma
tional independence and public laws and will be MAIN
tanned in all their full and ins' extent.
Tho principle which this Government has heretofore
solemnly announced it still adseres to- and will main
tain under all circumstances and at all hazards That
principle is, that every regularly documcnted merchant
vessel, the who navigate il, aud those board of
IT, will find their protection in The flag which is over
them. No American ship can be allowed to be visited
searched for the purpose of aseertaning the charac
oil individuals on board nor can there be allowed
American vessels the coast of the United States or
the seas adjacent thereto IL will he seen by the last
Communication OF the British Charge dAfares the
United States TO the Department OF State, that he is
authorised 10 that every will DO taken in
executing the preveiiva against the expedi.
lions which the United States C"Tcrnment has denied
not being entitled 10 tic protection OF any Govern.
NJ interference shall take place with the lawful
OF any nation. In addition the uorTespOn
dence this subject herewith submitted, official nio.
nation has been received at the Department of State Of
assurances by the French Government that the or
ders given to the French naval forces they espe
c2lly instructed IN any operations they might engage
in to respect the og of the United States whenever it
might appear and permit act OF hostility any
sci nr armament under its protection.
Ministers and Conns Of foreign nations the means
and agents OF communicate between the United States
aud these nations and Il is OF the utmost Importance
that while residing in the countries they should feel
perfect security long they faithfully discharge
their respective duties and guilty of violation of
lnr laws Ih;s is ihe admitted law Of nations and ne
country has deeper interest in maintaining il than the
United States.
Our commerce spreads every sea and visits every
slime, and our Ministers ard Consus are appointed
protect the interest of that commerce. as well as 10
guard the peace OF the country and maintain the honor
IF its flag. But how they discharge these duties
lIcss they be themselves protectedl and If protected
must be by the laws Of the country in which they
lJe aad what Is due public iunctionaries
siding in foreign stations exactly the measure Of what
due the missionaries Of ether governments residing
ero. Is in the hearers Of flags Of arc
red, else would be interminabe, so in peace
Ambassadors public Ministers ard Consus, charged {
sh friendly national intercourse objects Of special
aspect and protection each according the right be-
onging bis rank and station In yiew Of these i'm
ortant principles il is with deep modification and re-
ret announce you that during the excitement grow
g out Of the execution in Havana the Office of Her
'aholic MaJcs'ys Consul New Orleans was assacd
mob, destroyed, the Spanish flag found in the e
flee carried off and torn in pieces and he himself in
uce fec for his personal safety which be supposed
0 be in danger. On receiving intelligence of these q
vents, forthwith directed the attorney Of the United
tatos residing New Oreaas inquire into the facts
nd extent Of the pecunary loss sustained by tho Con-
li with the intention Of laying them before YOU that $
might make provision for sach indemnify AS Just
,gard the nation and the respect which IS due TO
'endly power. might in your Judgment,
ure. a consultation this subject between the Sec. 7
starry of State and her Catholic Maesy's Pleni poten II
airy is herewith submlttud. q
The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to give
y attention the state of our laws in regard o
reign Ambassadors, Ministers and Consnls. / think
Legislation of the country is insufficient in provi-
nG sufficiently, either for the protection punishment
Consuls. therefore recommend the consideration n
the subject to Congress. g
Your attention is again invited TO tho question of d
eciprocal trade between and Canada. and other s
rsh Provinces near our frontiers. Overures for 10
convention upon this subject have been received d.
ON her British Majesiy's Plenipotentiary, but it a
ems u be- in many respects preferable that the
should be regulated by reciprocal legislation Doc
nents laid before you showing the which the
rsh Government is willing TO offer, and the
hlch 10 iODt, IL arrangements unnn this W