Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-03

issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, at very large
discount, and for the payment of which the pub
lie lands and public property Of Cuba, of what
ever kind, and the fiscal resources of the people
and government Of that island, from whatever
source to be derived, were pledged, as we'll as
the good faith of the government expected to be
established. All these means of payment, it is
evident, were only to be obtained by process Of
bloodshed war, and revolution. None will deny
| that those who set on foot military expeditions
against foreign States by means like these, are
far more culpable than the ignorant and the ne
cesstous whom they induce to go forth as the os-
tensbe parties in the proceeding. These origin
ators of the invasion of Cuba seem to have de-
termned, with GOODNESS and system, upon an I'M
dertaking which should disgrace their country,
violate its laws, and put to hazard the lives Of
ill-informed and deluded men. You will consi-
der whether further legislation be necessary to
prevent the preparation of such offences in fu.
| ture.
No individuals have right to hazard the peace
of the country or to violate its laws upon vague
notions of altering or reforming governments in
other States. This principle is not only reason
able in itself, and in accordance with public law,
but is engrafted into the codes of other nations
as well as our own. But while such are the SEN
timents Of this Government, it may be added
that every independent nation must be presumed
| to be able to defend its possessions against un-
/
them. The Government of the United States at
all times since its establishment has abstained
and has sought to restrain tie citizens of the
country, from entering into controversies be-
tween other powers, and to observe all the du-
ties of neutrality. At an early period of the Go
vernment in the administration of Washington,
several laws were passed for9hs purpose The
main provisions of these laws were re-enacted by
the act of April, 1918, by which, amongst other
things, it was declared that if any person shall,
within the territory jurisdiction of the United
States begin, or set on foot, provide or pre-
pare, the means for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried On from thence against
the territory or dominion of any foreign prince or
State, or of any colony, district, or people with
whom the United States are at peace, every per-
son so offending shall be deemed guilty of high
misdemeanor 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 civil
lied nations; they have taken the lead them
selves, and have been followed by Others This
was admitted by one Of the most eminent of mo-
dern British statesmen, who said in Parliament,
while minister of the crown, "that if he wished
for a guide in system of neutrality, he should
! take that laid down by America in the days of
| Washington and the secretaryship of Jefferson;"
| and we see, 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 statutes passed in the
reign of George IT,, prohibiting English subjects
from enlisting in foreign service, the avowed OBJ
| ject Of which statutes was, that foreign armies
Jen1f %
Stuart to the throne, should not be strengthened
| by recruits from England herself
All must see that difficulties may arise in car
rying the laws referred to into execution in
country now having three or four thousand miles
| of sea- coast, with an infinite number of ports
| and harbors and small inlets from some of W heh
neutrality-suspicious. may suddenly set forth,
without the knowledge of Government against
| the possessions of foreign States.
| Friendly relations with all, but entangling alli-
ances with none, has long beena maxim with us
Our true mission is not to propagate our opin-
ions, or impose upon other countries our form of
government, by artifce or force; but to teach by
example, and show by our success, moderation
and justice, the blessings of fgovernmeni, and
the advantages of free institutions Let every
people choose for itself, and make and alter its
political institutions to suit its own condition and
convenience. But, while we avow and maintain
| this neutral policy ourselves, are anxious to
see the same forbearance the part of other ma
| tons, whose forms of government are different
from our own. The deep interest which we feel
in the spread of liberal principles and the estab-
! lishment of free governments, and the sympathy
with which we witness every struggle against op-
preston, forbid that we should be indifferent to
case in which the strong arm of foreign power
is invoked to stife 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 on
the West India station to prevent by force, if ne
cessary, the landing of adventures from any ma
ton on the Island of Cuba with hostile intent
The copy of memorandum of a conversation on
this subject between the Charge Affaires of her
Britannia Majesty and the acting Secretary of
State, and of subsequent note of the former to
the Department of State, are herewith submit
ted, together with copy of q note of the Acting
Secretary of State to the Minister of the French
Republic, and of the reply Of the latter, on the
same subject. These papers will aoquant you
with the grounds of this interposition of the two
leading commercial powers of Europe, and with
the apprehensions, which this Government could
not fail to entertain, that such interpostion, if
carried into effect, might lead to abuses in dero-
cation of the maritime rights of the United States.
The maritime rights of the United States are
founded on firm, secure, and wel!-detined basis;
they stand upon the ground ofNational lndepen-
dence 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 will maintain under all circumstances and at
all hazards. That principle is, that in every re-
gularly documented merchant vessel the crew
who navigate it, and those on board of it, 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 ascertainng
the character of individuals on board, nor can
there be allowed any watch by the vessels of any