The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-12-10

ana jert extent.
The principle which this Government
has herrtofore solemnly announced il
still sdheres 20. and will maintain un-
der ell circumstances and al all hazards,
That principle is. that in every regular.
" doeumented merchant vessel. the
crew who navigate IL. and those on
board Of IL. viii find their protection in
the Tag which IL over them. No Ameri
can ship can be allowed to be visited
or searched for the purpose of ascertain
Ing the character of individuals on
board. nor can there be allowed any
witch by the vessels Of any foreign na-
4 ton over American vessels on the coast
Of the United States or the seas ada
cent thereto. IL will be seen by the
last communication from the British
Charge d'Afiaires to the Department oI
State, that he is authorized to assure
the Secretary Of State that every care
will be taken that. in executing the
preventive measures against the expedi.
tons, which the United States Govern,
ment itself has denounced as not being
eatitled to the protection Of any gov.
eminent, no interference shall take
Place with the lawful commerce Of any
nation.
| In addition to the correspondence
% this subject, herewith submitted,
official information has been received
al the Department Of State, Of assur-
ances by the French government that,
in the orders given to the Fernch ma
val forces, they were expressly instruc.
ted, in any operations they might en-.
gage in. 10 respect the flag Of the Uni.
ted States, whenever il might appear,
and to commit no act of hostility upon
any vessel or armament under its pro.
lection.
Ministers and consuls Of foreign ma.
tions are the means and agents Of com.
munication between us and those ma.
tons, and il is Of the utmost impor.
lance that, while residing in the coun'
try, they should feel a perfect security
so long as the faithfully discharge theil
respective duties, and are guilty Of M
violation Of our laws. This is the ad
mitted law Of nations, and no cGuntr,
has deeper interest in maintaining /
than the United States. Our com
merce speads over every sea, and visit,
every cline, and our ministers ant
rsnsuls are appointed to protect tn,
INTERESTS Of that commerce. as well a,
TO guard the peace Or the xountry ans
maintain the honor of itsSflag. Blu
how can they discharge these dutie'
unless they be themselves protected
and, if protected, it must be by tn,
laws Of the country in which they re
side. And what is due 70 our owl
public functionaries residing in foreigI
nations is exactly the measure of wha
is due to the functionaries Of othe
governments residing here. As in war
the bearers Of flags Of truce are sacred, o
else wars would be interminable, SO il
peace, ambassadors, public ministers
and consuls. charged with friendly ma
tional intercourse, are objects Of es
pecial respect and protection, each &C
cording TO the rights belonging to hi
rank and station. In view of these i'm
portant principles, tits with deep mort
fcation and regret announce to yol
that, during the excitement growing
out Of the executions at Havana, tn
Office of her Catholic majesty's consu
at New Orleans was assailed by mob
his property destroyed, the Spanis
flag found in the office carried off an,
torn in pieces, and he himself induces
to flee for his personal safety, whic
he supposed to be in danger. On re
ceiying intelligence Of these events,
forthwith directed the attorney Of tn
United States residing at New 0rlean
to inquire into the facts, and the ex
tent of the pecuniary loss sustained b
the consul, with the intention Of lay
ing them before you, that you migl
make provision for such indemnity
him as just regard for the nation an
the respect which is due to friendl
power might, in your judgment, seem I
require. The correspondence upon thi
subject between the Secretary Of Stat
and her Catholic majesty's ministe
plenipotentiary is herewith transmit
ted.
The occurrence at New Orleans ha
led me to give my attention to til
state of our laws in regard to foreig
ambassadors, ministers, and consul
I think the legislation Of the countr
is deficient in not providing sufficien
: " either for the protection or the pur
ishment of consuls. therefore recon
mend the subject to the considerable
of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to Il
: question of reciprocal trade betwee
: the United States and Canada and otl
er British possessions near our frontie
Overtures for a convention upon tn
subject have been received from h,
|, Britannia Majesty's Minister Plenip
, tertiary, but it seems to be in may re
poets preferable that the matter shou
be regulated by reciprocal legislatio
Documents are laid before you, shown
{ the terms which the British governme
is willing to offer. aud the measur