Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-12-11

/ same forbearance on the part of other
nations. whose forms of government are
different from our own. The deep in
ierest whirh we feel in the spread Of libe-
raj principles, aud the establishment Of
free government. aud The sympathy with
which we witness every Struggle against
oppression, forbid that we should be in
different 10 case in which the strong
arm III foreign power is provoked 10
fssille public sentimcn, and repress the
1 spirit Of freedom in any country. Tie
governments Of Great Britain and France
have issued orders 10 their naval com
manders on the West India station 10
lpfesent BY ii,rre, if necessary. The land.
ing of adverturers from any nation on
The Island Of Cuba. with hostile intent.
The copy Of memorandum Of Con-
ren,ion on this subject, between the
charge de AfIaires of Her Bri,anic Maj,
es,y and the acting Secretary of State,
and subsequent note Of The former 10
the Department OF State, are herewith
submitted, together with copy Of a note
lof the acting Secre,ay Of State 10 the
Minister Of The French Republic, and
The reply Of the latter on the same sub
fj,c,. The papers will acquaint you
with the grounds Of this in.erposition OF
the two leading commercial powers Of
Europe, aud with the apprehension
which this government could not sail TO
entertain, tina. such in,rrpnsition. if car
ried into effect, might lead to abuses in
lderogaiion of the maritime rights Of the
United States. The maritime rights OF
the United States are on firm, secure
and well defined basis; they stand upon
! the ground Of national Independence and
public law, aud will be maintained in all
ttheir JUS, extent. Tue principle which
This Government heretofore soIemnly an
i nnunced il still acherts to. and a, hazards.
That principle Is, that in every regularly
documented merchant vessel, the crew
who navigate il, aud those on board of il,
! will md their protection in the flag
which is over them. Nd American
ship can be allowed to be visited and
searched Tor the purpose Of ascertaining
the character Of individuals on beard,
nor cin there be allowed any watch BY
vessels of any foreign nalion, over A.
imerican yesssls, on The coas. cf the Uni
ted States, or seas aljaccn! shs,eto.
! Il will be seen by the last commnni.
cation from The British Charge de AZ
flares 70 the Department Of State, that
he is authorized TO assure the Secretary
of State. that ever cafe will be taken
thai in executing The preventive meas
nres against which the United States
Gosernmen, itself has declared, as NOT
being entitled 10 The protection Of any
government, no interference shall take
place with the lawful commerce of any
nation. In addition to the correspon.
dence ON this subjec, herewith submit
Ted, vfiicisl information has been receiv-
ed al the Department. Of State, OF assu-
RANGES 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 Gag OF the United States
wherever i,nigh, appear, and TO commit
no act Of hostility upon any vessel, or
armament under It's protection.
! Ministers and consuls Of foreign ma
tons are the means and agens of CONF
nunication between us and those nations.
!, and il il OF the utmost importance that,
while residing in the country, they should
enjoy perfect security as long as they
f;.itsinliy discharge tlleir respective du.
ties, au,l are guilty Of M violation OF our
laws. This is The admitted law of ma
iions, aud no country has deeper in
teresl in maintaining j. than The United
States.
Our commerce spreads over every sea,
visits every cline; and our Ministers
and Consuls are appointed to protect thai
cnmmercr, as well as 10 guard the peace
Of The country and maintain The honor oil
i,s Gag. Bui how can they discharge
those duties unless they be themselves
protested. and il they be protected by
lie laws of the country in which they
reside, then what Is due to our own pub
lie funriIouaries residing in foreign ma
tiuns. is exactly the measure Of what is
due to the sunc,innaries cf other govern
Inenis residing here. As IN war the bear
er oi flags Of Truce are sacred. or else
wars wanld be interminatle, SO in peace
ambassadors. public ministers and con-
suls, charged viii, friendly national inter-
course, are objects Of special respect
and protection, each according TO the
rights belonging TO his rank and station.
/ ln view Of those imporlan. principles.
lis with deep modification and regret !
!, announce 10 sou, that. during the excite.
ment growing out Of the executions at
Havana, the Office Of her Catholic Ma
jesiy's Consul al New Orleans was as.
sailed by a mob, his property destroyed
The Spanish flag found in The office. car
tried off aud torn TO pieces, and he him
self induced 10 flee for his personal safe
ny, which he reported 10 be in danger
On receiving intelligence Of these events,
1 forthwith directed the Attorney Of the
United States residing al New Orleans,
to enquire into tie facts and the extent
Iof The pecuniary loss sustained by tSe
Consul, with the intention of Iayingthem
before you. that you might make proyi-
sion for snch indemnity 10 him as . just
regard for the honor Of the nation. and