The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-24
THE UNION.

this point Our history furnishes practical illus
ation OF the principle AT the beginning of the revou
ton American patriots held and deemed by Eng
land rebels aud traitors. to be punished by DEATH But
when the revolutonss had INDICATED their earnesness
OF purpose. did the English government. with all lis cru
city, treat them as traitors Did the English government
contend that Lafayette pirate to be taken and shot
without trial. and his body to be stripped and outraged
The fifty American citizens executed al Havana
were taken on Spanish soil or on Spanish
waters According 10 all accounts. they were taken
in open boats, the high seas, beyond the Spanish
jurisdiction. Had they been taken on the island of
Cuba with arms in their hands. aiding and abetting
revolt, then we admit that they would have been
subject TO the same punishment which might be in
licted the Puerto Principe reyouionsts Their very
position and attitude would have placed them beyond the
protection of our government. But we contend, never
lheess that the authorities of no nation should be per
mitted 10 "run down" American citizens on the high
seas, and then take them and execute them without
tahing evidence 10 Show tey gully of crime
and preserving record Of that eudence for he sastae-
ton OF our government end people. II men are
taken in an overt act of piracy, and executed then the
proof OF that fact may be deemed sufficient justification
But we assert and can easily maintain that never has
been considered an act of piracy for the citizens Of one
nation to take part in the civil commolions of another
indeed, the law OF nations does not forbid them On
this point do better than epublsh the following
extract from Mr., WebsteIs celebrated letter TO Mr. Fox
the British Minister relative TO the Canadian difficulties
in 1871
g If citizens OF the United States fitted out or were en-.
gagged in fitting out military expedition from the United
% Rrifi in
Canada they clearly vio!aing the llc of their oon
country and exposing themselves the just
which might be inflicted them, taken ohin the Brit
ish doinious But Notwithstanding this they certainly
pirates. does the unde rsigned think can ad
the purpose Of fair and friendly discussion SO to
nominate them. Their offence. whatever it was, had
analogy to OF piracy Surprising all that alleged
against them be they taking part in what they
regarded civil war, and they taking part the
side OF the rebels Surely Great Britain herself has
regarded persons thus engaged deserving the appeaon
which her Majssys government bestows upon these cIt
zens of the United States.
is quite that for the greater part Of the last
centuries, subjects the British Crown been per-
united to engage in foreign both national aud cr
and in the latter every of their progress and yet
has not been imagined that England has any time al
iOoed her subjects to pirates. Indeed, in
times only have individual subjects fthat Crown gone
abroad TO engage in civil but we have whole
regiments openly recruited, imbodied armed and disc,
plined in England. with the avowed purpose of aiding
rebellion against nation with which Ens land
peace although is true that subsequently OF Par
lament passed to prevent transactions nearly APP
preaching 10 public war, without license from the Crown
" 1t may be said that there is difference betwe
of civil war arising from disputed succession,
protracted revolt OF colony against mother country
and the case of fresh outbreak of
rebellion. The undersigned does deny that such dis
may for certain purposes be deemed well founded
He admits that government called upon TO consider its
ocn gh interests I'd duties, when civil break
in other countries, may decide all the circumstances Of
the particular upon its existing stpuiations
probable results hat its security requires, and
many other considerations Ii may be already bound TO
assist party. may become bound, it chooses
assistance.
But hethr the rtpot be recent long cont ausd they
who Join those oncerned in il, whatever may be their
offence against country, however they may be
treated in their hands ~ the territory Of
t agafst hteh the sandIrd Of rerot Is raised
cannot be denominated pirates without departing from
all ordinary language in the definition of offences
cause which has foul origin piracy cannot, in
It's progress by its success obtain claim any degree
OF responsibility tolerance among nations; and civil
wars therefore, are understood to have such
mencement
aI is well known TO Mr. Fox that authorities OF the
highest eminence in Great Britain, living and dead, have
nnaint lined that NATIONS does
forbid The citizens subjects Of g1punmsnf from taxing
mart IN The euR of another There Is
SON indeed think that such may be the opinion of her
Majesty S government at the present moment"