Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-12-11

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ding shall be deemed guilty of high mis-
demeauor. and shall be fined not exceed
ing S3000 and imprisoned not more than
three wears, and ihis law has been execu-
ted aud enforced to tue full extent Of the
power Of the government, from that day
to this
In proclaiming and adhering to the doc
trine Of neutrality aud non-Ipterference
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 was ad-
mitted bvone ofthe most eminent of mod
m British statesmen, who said in Parlia
ment, while a member Of the Crown. that
4 he wished for guide in system of
neutrality. he should take that laid down
by America in the DAYS of Washington.
and the SecretarYsLip Of Jefferson = and
all see in fact that the act Of Congress in
i3l ;, was followed the succeeding year By
an act of the Parliament Of England. sub
stanially the same ia its general provis-
ions
Up to that time there had been no sim
liar law in England. except certain highly
penal statutes, passed In tie reign Of
George the I'D. prohibiting English sub
jects from enlistine in foreign service: the
avowed object of which statutes was that
foreign armies raised fer the purpose Of
restoring the House Of Stuart to the
throne should not be strengthened by re
crujts from England herself All must
see that difficulties may arise in carrying
tie laws referred to into execution in a
country now having or 1000 miles Of
sea coast. with an infinite number Of ports
and haroors. and small inlets from some
of which unlawful expeditions may sud
denly set forth, without the knowledge Of
government
"Friendly relations with all. but entanc
ling alliances with none has been a max
inn with US as our true mission is not to
propagate our opinions. or impose upon
other governments our form Of govern
meDt, by artiice or force but to teach by
example. and show BY our success. noder-
alton aud justice the blessings Of self gov
erDment and the advantages Of free iuSt.-
tuupns- Let every people choose for it.
self. and make aud alter It's political instj-
tutons to suIt It's own condition and con
vemeuce. But while we ayow and main
tam the neutral policy ourselves we are
anxious TO see the same forbearance on the
part of Other nations. whose forms Of gov
ernmeut are different from our own
The deep interest we feel in the spread
Of liberal principles aud the establishment
Of free governments, and the sympathy
with which we witness every struggle
against oppression. forbid that we should
be Indifferent to a case In which the strong
est arm IS invoked to stite and oppress
the spirit ot freedom In any ca,atry.
The governments Of Great B itain and
France have issued orders to their naval
commanders in the West India waters 10
prevent, by force if necessary. the landing
Il adyenturerS on tie island OF Cuba. with
hostile intentions
Copies of a memorandum of converse
tlon on tins subject between the charge q
affairs OF Her Brittanic Majesty and the
acting Secretary of State, aud of the sub
se4ueut note Of the former TO the Depart
ment Of State are herewith submitted. to-
getaer with copy Of the note of the ac-
ting Secretary Of State to the Minister Of
the French Republic aud of the reply Of
the latter en- the same subject These pa
pers will ac9uaiGt YOU with the grounds
OF the interp5sition If the two leading
commercai powers Of Europe, with the
apprehension with which this govern
ment could not fail to entertain, that such
luteTpositlun if carried into effect might
lead % abuse the derogatiou Of the mari
tlne rights of the United States
The maritime rights of the United Sta
tes are founded ou a firm secure and well
defined basis heg stand upon the gvound
of national Independence and public laws
and viii be maintained in all their full and
Just extent. The principal which the gov
ernment has heretofore solemulv anuouu-
ccd Is still adhered TO and will be main
tanned under all circumstances aud at all
hazards That principle is that in every
regularly docuueuted merchant vessel.
the crew who navigate it. and those on
board Wall hnd their protection in the flag
winch Is over them No American ship
can be allowed to be visited or searched
ior the purpose Of aseertainiug the char
acter OF individuals On board. nor can
there BE- allowed any watch bv the vessels
ct any foreign nation over American yes
sels ou the coast Of the l. ). or the seas
adjacent thereto
1t viii be seen by the last communica-
tion from the British Charge to the De
partneut of State that he Is authorized
TO assure the Secretary Of State that eve
~ care viii be taken that in executing the
preventive meas Lres against tae expedi-
ton with the 4. : government itself has
denounced Is not beiug entitled 10 the pro-
lection of any government. no interference
shall take place with the lawful commerce
Of any ratiun
IN addition 10 the correspondence on
tins subject. herewith submitted. official
Information has been received at the De
partment If State Of assurances BIZ the
French Government taat in the orders
given to the French naval forces. they
were expressly instructed. IN any opera
tl1ns they might engage IN. To respect the
flag Of the United States wherever it NAV
appear. aud TO commit no act of hostility
on any vessel or armament under its
ton.
Ministers and Consuls Of foreign na-