The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-18

amy European power the least authority or JUS
tiable prctext foe adopting system Of interna-
tonal law applicable to these relations, which
form an exception to those established between
civilized States, and attempt TO impose il on
those against whom il will operate so exclusive
ly aud injurously. None of the European pow
ers stand in the predicanent of the States on
They have no tribes Of rowing savages, neither
knowing or recognizing the authority of any
laws, municipal, or international, within their
limits or on their borders, and cannot, therefore,
be permitted to decide for those who have a
right 10 Judge what policy is proper or neces-
sary 10 selfdefence. IL is not, therefore, for
England, any other European power, to die
tate laws for our government in situation in
which they do not pariake, and Of which they
are not competent judges. None Of them have
right 10 interfere between savage tribes and
civilized States, on this continent, and by taking
the former under their 'protecton" sustain an
hmperium in Ioiperio of savages, who pay no re-
spect TO local or international law, in the midst
people recognizing both. Such policy if
aequiesced in by the States of the new world,
would be equally fatal to their peace, their pros
perity, and their independence. This is the great
question involved in the protectorate of the
Musqutos, and in my opinion the utter neglect,
50 far as can see, Of the present administration
to bring il to an issue, is only one among many
indications of its subserviency to British influ
ence and British philanthropy. The late out
rage on the Prometheus, settles the question as
to the construction of the late treaty between
the United States and England, and distinctly
proves, that England has not abandoned the
protectorate of the puissant King Of the Mus
quitos. There is, therefore, no pretext for furth
er diplomatic manouvering, Or splitting hairs in
The construction of language, which is as clear
as day to the comprehension of common sense
1t is time that the United States should under
stand distinctly whether England means to re-
tain a position which will not only enable he
to levy tribute on all the commerce in the
United States, that may pass through the con-
templated ship canal connecting the Atlantic and
Pacific in the name of his Mosquito majesty.
who nominally reigns over some five hundred |
or thousand vagabonds, half Indian, halfne
gro, the mere tools and cats-paws of my Lord
Palmerston, and the first protegees of his new
code of international law.
The apparent utter neglect and Indifference of
the present administration in regard to this BY
far tho most mnnrtont of all our foro;,rn I'll,
tons, conceive, can only be accounted for in
two ways: Either they have been so complete.
ly occupied in attending cattle shows and rail
road celebrations, and making electioneering
speeches, as to have no leisure to attend to such
triles or they have, rs | previously surmised
become converts to the new doctrine Of univer-
sal philanthropy, patronised by England, and
enforced by the disciples of the " higher law"
under her express delegation.
But this important object of obtaining the
entire control of the lsthmus, is only part of the
great scheme of policy masked under the veil of
negro and Indian philanthropy She has long
been aiming at the right of indiscrimnate search
on the high seas, and would probably have nc
CURED it from all other nations except the United
States, but, for the well known letter of Mr. |
LEWIS CAss, our Minister to France, which pre-
vented the French government from ceeding to
that great combination brought about by British
influence and intrigue, and for which that gen.
teInan is emnently entitled to the gratitude of
his country. Yet notwithstanding this disap-
pointment, England has made great advances in
the acquisition of this right of search, which, so
long as she maintains her present naval Assem-
dancy, will make her virtually mistress of the
of the world, by enabling her to board
and arrest any vessel, under any fag-under any
pretence whatever, 1t was the exercise and
abuse of this power which occasioned the last
war for it should be recollected that the policy
of Mr.. JEFFERSON and Mr.. MADISON, which has
been so much ridiculed, actually did produce
of the British order in council, though
the news arrived after the declaration of war
and that this would have undoubtedly put stop
to it but for this very pretension to the right of
search,
Yet, England has not lost, and never will lose
sight of this object. She attained it in some
measure when she wrought upon the powers of
Europe, and last of all, the United States, to
declare the slave trade piracy, which at once
placed every people suspected of being engaged
in it, out of the pale of the protection of inter
national law. Next, she inveigled our Minister
into treaty, surrendering the right uncondition.
ally, in fact and at this moment, she, in con.
junction with France, is claiming to exercise this
right over American vessels, under pretence of
arresting the invasion of Cuba, and under the
sanction Of the Presidents proclamation, declar-
ing all concerned in it pirates and outlaws The
President, it is true, has signifed, through the
acting Secretary of State, that he is not pleased
with this attempt to assist the United States to
execute their own laws--not that he cares much
aboutit himself, but that he is apprchensive the
people of the United States will take il in dud