The New York herald., 1851-12-03

!, ~ oStsinsd bT process Of bloodshed, war and
revolution. None will deny that those who set on
foot military expeditions against foreign States hy
means like these, far more culpable than the |
ignorant and the necesstous whom they induce to
no forth as the ostensible parties in the proceeding
These originators OF the invasion Of Cuba seem to
an undertaking which should disgrace their coun-
try violate its laws, and put to hazard the lives OF
-Iilinformed and deluded men. You viii consider
whether further legislation be necessary to prevent
the perpetration Of such offences in future.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace
Of the country, or to violate the laws upon vague
notions Of altering or reforming governments IN
other States This principle is not only Teasonaoie
in itself and in accordance with public law, but Is
epgraftea into the codes of other nations Is well
as our own. But while such are the sentiments
of this government, it may be added, that every
independent nation must be presumed to be able to
defend its possessions against unauthorized indi-
viduals banded together to attack them. The
government of the United States, at all times
snce its establishment, has abstained and has
sought to restrain the citizens OF the country, from
entering into controversies between other powers,
and to observe all the duties OF neutrality AT an
early period, of the government, in tue admnlstra-
tion Of Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions of these laws
reenacted by the act of April, 1878, by which,
amongst other things, it was declared that If any
person SHALL within the territory or jurisdiction Of
The United States, begin or set on foot or provide,
or prepare the means for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried on from thence against the
State, or Of any colony, district, or people with
whom the United States are at peace, every person
70 offending shall be deemed guilty off high mis-
demeanor, and shall be fined, not exceeding three
thousand dollars, and imprisoned not more than
three years; and this law has been executed and
enforced, to the full extent Of the power of the
Government, from that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine OF
neutrality and non intervention, the United States
have not followed the lead of other civilized ma.
tions; they have taken the lead themselves, ana
L., laIla hun fhAYG
by one of the most eminent Of modern British
statesmen, who said in Parliament, while min
lister of the crown, "that, if he wished for guide
no system of neutrality, he should take that laid
down by America in the days of Washington and
the secretaryship Jefferson and We see, in fact,
that the act of Congress of ISIS was followed, the
England, substantially the same in its general pro-
visions Up to that time there had been no similar
law in England, except certain highly penal sta
tS!ss passed in the reign H GsoiSs II
the avowed object of which statutes was, chat TO-
reign armies, raised for the purpose of restoring the
house of Stuart to the throne, shovld not be
strengthened by recruits from England herself
All must see that difficulties may arise in carry.
ing the laws referred to into execution in q country
now having three or four thousand miles of sea-
ccast with an infinite number Of ports and harbors
and small inlets, from some of which unlawful ex.
petitions may suddenly set FORTH without the know.
ledge Of government, against the possessions of fo-
reign states.
iances with none, has long been a maxim with us. |
Our true mission is not to propagate our opinions,
or impose upon other countries our form of gov
ernment, by artifce or force; but to teach by ex
ample, and show by our success, moder alton and
justice, the blessings OF selfgovernment, and the
advantages of free institutions Let every people |
choose for itself, and make and alter its political in
yttutens to suit its own condition and convenience
Fut, while We avow and maintain this neutral poll
cy ourselves, we anxious to see the same fer |
kesrance on the part of other nations, whose forms
Of government are different from our own. The |
deep interest which feel in the spread of liberal
principles and the establishment of free govern
ments, and the sympathy with which We witness
every struggle against oppression, forbid that we
arm Of foreign power is invoked to stife pu bic
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 landing Of adventures from any
nation on the Island Of Cuba with hostile intent.
The copy of memorandum of conversation on
this subject between the Charge dAfaires of her
Britannic Majesty and the Acting Secretary Of
State, and Of subsequent note of the former to the
Department Of State, are herewith submitted, to-
geiher with copy Of a note Of the Acting Secre.
taIy Of State to the Minister Of the French repub-
lie, and Of the reply Of the latter, on the same sub
ieet. Ihese pa papers will acquasnt you with the
commercial powers of Europe, and with the appre
tensions, which this government could not fail to
entertain, that such interpoGtion, if carried into
effect, might lead to abuses in derogation of the
maritime rights Of the United States. The mari /
time rights ofthe United States are founded on |
firm, secure, and we'll defined basis they stand up
on 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 here
tofore solemnly announced it still adheres to- and
viii maintain under all circumstances and at ell
hazards. That principle is that in every regularly
documented merchant vessel, the crew whs navi-
gate it. and those en- board Of it. will ni their pro-
lection in the flag which is over them. No Ameri-
can ship be allowed to be visited searched for
the purpose Of ascertainipg the character Of ndi.
Siduals on board, nor can there be allowed any
watch by the vessels OF any foreign nation over
American vessels on the coasts Of the United States
or the seas adjacent thereto. Il will be by the
last communication from the British Charge DAT
faires to the Department Of State, that be Il au-
fhorredto assure the Secretary Of State that every
care will be taken that, in executing the preventive
measures against the expeditions, which the United
States government itself has denounced as not
being entitled to the protection Of any government,
no interference shall take place with the lawful
commerce o. any nation.
In addition to the correspondence On this sab.
ject, herewith submitted official information has
been received at the Department Of State, OF
ances by the French government that in the orders
given to the French naval forces, they were ex-
pressly instructed. in any operations they might
engage in to respect the fag OF the United State,
wherever IL might appear, and 10 commit no act Of
hostility upon any vessel or armament under its
TrOtecton.
Ministers and Consus Of foreign nations are the
means and agents Of communication between us
and tbose nations, and il is Of the utmost import
ance that, while residing in the country, they
shoud feel perfect security so long they faith
fully discharge their respective duties, and are
guilty Of no violation Of our laws. This Is the ad-
mitted Law Of nations, and no country has deeper
interest 10 maintaining IL than the United States
Our commerce spreads over every sea, and visits
every cline, and our ministers and consuls ap.
pointed to protect the interests of that commerce
as well as TO guard the peace Of the country and
maintain the honor OF IT'S flag But how can they
discharge these duties unless they be themselves
Iroteeted and. If protected, II must be by the
laws Of the country in which they reside. And
what s due TO our own public functionaries resid-
ing in foreign nations vs. exactly the measure Of
what cue 70 ihe tunctionarios Of other govern.