The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-03

| voked TO stiAe 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
eessary, the landing of al yenturers from any
ton OH the Island of Cuba with hostile intent.
The copy of a memorandum of conversation Oh
this subject between the charge affairs Of her
Britannia Majesty and the Acting Secretary of
State and of a subsequent note of the former to
the Department of State, are herewith submitted,
together with copy of note of the Acting Sc
cretary Of State to the Minister of the French re-
public, and OF the reply of the latter, on the
sui ject. These papers vii acquant you with the
grounds of this nterposition Of the two leading
comm ercal powers ofEurope, and with the appre-
tensions, which this government could not fail TO
entertain, that such lnterpositon, If carried into
effect might lead to abuses in derogation Of the
maritime rights OF the United States. The mari
time rights of the United States are founded on
firm, secure, and we-defned basis; they stand upon
the ground of national independence and public
law, and will be maintained IN all their full and
Just extent. ..,. .". '. g."
| The principle which this government has here
tofore solemny announced it still adheres to. and
! will maintain under all circumstances and at all
hazards. That principle is, that in every regular
| ly documented merchant yessely, 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 he allowed to be visited or
searched for the purpose Of asertaining the char
acter Of individuals on board, there be
allowed any watch by the vessels of the foreign
nation over American vessels on the the coast Of
the United States or the seas adjacent thereto. 1t
will be seen by the last communication from the
British charge affairs to the Department of State,
that he is authorized to assure the Secretary OF
State that every will be taken that in execut
| ing the preventive measures against the expedi-
tons, which the United States government itself
has denounced as not being entitled to the protec
ton OF any government, interference shall take
place with the lawful commerce OF any nation
In addition to the correspondence on this sub
ject, herewith submitted, Official information has
been received at the Department Of State, of as
surances by the French government that, in the
orders given to the French naval forces, they were
expressly instructed, in any operations they
might engage in, to respect the flag of the United
States wherever 1t might appear, and to commit
no act of hostility upon any vessel or armament
under Its protection.
i Ministers and consus of foreign nations are the
means and agents Of communication between us
and those nations, and il is OF the utmost import
ance that, while residing in the country, they
should 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-
United law Of nations, and no country has a
deeper interest IN maintaining il than the United
States. Our commerce spreads over every sea,
and visits every cline, and our ministers and con-
sus appointed to protect the interests of that
commerce, as well as to guard the peace Of the
country, and maintain the horror of its fsg. But
how can they discharge these duties unless they
be themselves protected; and if protected IT mus,
be by the laws of the country in which they re-
side. And what is due to our own public func-
tionaries residing III foreign nations. is exactly the
measure Of what il due to the functionaries of
other governments residing here. As in war, the
bearers of flags Of truce are sacred, or else wars
would be int, mlnable, so IN peace, ambassadors,
public ministers, and consuls charged with friend
'y national intercourse, are objects Of especial
spect and protection, each sccording to the rights
belonging TO his rank and station. In view of
these important principles, il is with deep NORTH
! cation and regret | announce TO you that, during
the excitement growing out Of the executions al
Havana, the office of her Catholic majesty s con.
sui at New Orleans was aSsailed by mob, his
property destroyed, the Spanish flag found in the
office carried OFF. and torn in pieces and he him.
self induced 10 flee for his personal safety, which
he supposed 10 be in danger On receiving Stelli-
gence Of these events, forthwith directed-JH. at
torney Of the United States residing at New Or.
leans, TO inquire into the facts and the extent oi
the pecunisry loss sustained by the consul, with
the intention of laying them before you, that you
might make provision for such indemnity TO him,
as just regard for the honor of the nation, and
the respect which is due 10 a friendly power
might, in your judgment seem to require The
correspondence upon this subject between the
Secretary Of State, and her Catholic majesty Is
minister pienpotentiary, IS herewith tran smilted
T The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to
give my attention TO the state of our laws in re.
, gard TO foreign ambassadors, ministers, and con-
suls. ! think the legislation OF the country is DE-
fcient IN not providing sufficiently either for the
! protecto or the punishment Of consuls | there
, fore recommend the eublect 90 the confederation
; OF Congress.
Your attention IL again invited 20 the question
Of reciprocal trade between the United States aud
T Canada and other British possessions near our
: frontier. Overtures for convention upon this
, subject have been received from her Britannia
Msiesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, but II seems
TO be ~ many respects preferable that the matter
should be regulated by reciprocal legislation.
Documents are laid before you showing the terms
which the British government is willing to offer,
and the measures which 1t may adopt, II some
arrangement upon this subject shall not be
made.
From the accompanying copy Of a note from
the British Legation at Washington, and the re-
ply Of the Department Of State thereto, Il will APP
pear that her Britannia Mijesty's government is
desirous that part Of the boundary line between
Oregon and the British possessions should be
auihoritatiyely marked out, and that m intention
was expressed to apply to Congress for an APP
preparation to defray the expense thereof on the
part Of the United States. Your attention to this
I
preparation recommended.
| a convention for the adjustment Of claims Of
citizens Of the United States against Portugal has
been concluded and the notifications have been ex-
changed The first instalment Of the amount to
| be paid by Portugal fell due on the goth Of Sep
tember last, and has been paid.
The President Of the French tspubilc, according
to the provisions Of the convention, has been Sc
Iected as arbter IN the case Of the General Arm
strong, and has signfed that he accepts the trust
and the high satisfaction he feels In acting as the
common friend Of two nations, with which France
is united by sentiments Of sincere aud lasting
amity.
\ The Turkish government has expressed its
thanks for the kind reception given 10 the Sultan s
agent, A min Bey, on the occasion Of his recent
visit to the United States. On the 2Sth Of Fsbru.
airy last despatch was addressed by the Secretary
Of State to Mr.. Marsh, the American Minister a,
Constantinope, InstsUcting him to ask Of the
Turkish government permission for the Hunga |
rans, ;hen imprisoned within the dominions Of
the Sublime Porte, to remove TO this country |
On the 81 Of March last both Houses Of Congress
passed resolution requesting the President to
- II