The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-10-22

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THE ARRIVAL OF THE CRESCENT
CITY, AND AFFAIRS AT HAVANA
THE PROTEST, &c.
The New York papers represent the city as
having been in state OF great excitement on the
arrival Of Capt Porter at that port. That gen
1leman, and MIR. Smith, are represented as be-
ing perfect lions at this time in the great
emporium. 1t was said that great indigna
1.on meeting was TO have taken place on We'd
pesday night but a. yet 1.-THE morning Of
Thursday we have received no account Of its
assemblage. An immense crowd congregated
on Tuesday night at the dock, foot of Warren
street, and shouted all the way as they went
for CUBA" "Porter' and Smith," The
Express, Immediately on the arrival of the Gre
scent City, issued an extra containing the
news, and that paper says the avidity to get
hold of it exceeded any thing that had been
seen since the days of the Mexican war. Ru-
mors of every kind were in circulation, among
others, one TO the effect that the Crescent City
had been driven away from Havana, the Anne
rican flag insulted, and Purser Smith sent in
chains to the dungeons Of the Moro. The
Crescent City was still lying of in the stream,
waiting for an opportunity to come TO her
wharf.
In another column we publish the protest of
Captain Porter. 1t is plain, manly, sensible
document, manifestng far clearer idea of
our rights under the treaty with Spain, than we
have found in any of the paragraphs, sustain
Cd by the authority of writers on International
law, which have figured so conspicuous of
late IN the columns Of certain contemporaries.
II the Spanish authorities have not set at de-
nance the 9th article of the treaty between
their country and the United States, then we
see not how it is possible to violate treaty
under any circumstances, or by any overt act
Whatever. Nor can the strong light in which
Capt. Porter places the attempt 10 punish an
American citizen for acts done in his own couu-
try, be obscured by all the logic which persons,
lar more sklful in the war ofdialec,ics, can bring
10 their aid. The course Of the Spanish 60
veInment has, throughout been entirely vim
tictive.
International law, with which we have al
ready acknowledged a scant acquaintance
must be very curious affair. At least. it is
altogether different from what we have ever
been led to suppose it. We had thought, for
instance, that Consuls were representatives of
their country, and that any countryman of theirs
had right &c. have access to them. Captain
General Canedo, however, thinks differently,
and we have no doubt that there will be found
persons enough in this country to prove by
Eattel, Wheaton, Grotus and Puf1endorff, that
he is the most profound international jurist on
the face of the earth. Really it would be of
great advantage to every mutton that trades
10 Cuba, and more especially to this nation,
could His Excellency be Induced to compile
code of Natural and International Law. We
should then have something fxed-something
tangible-something on which we could rely,
and would not be placed in the situation of
persons liable at any moment to violate the
law from ignorance of its existence.
The conduct of the authorities at Havana
presents strange medley of Inconsistencies
At one moment they forbid citizen of the
United States to see his consul, and at the next,
they evidently seek an opening for reconcilia-
ton. They undoubtedly see that they have
gone too far, and they would fain make up mat
tiers if they could. Capt. Porter very properly
refused TO allow Mr.. Smith to write denial
oil the charges made against him by Peter
Hicks, tor the very sufficient reason that he
mad, himself twice denied them. Even if the
inonstrous doctrine lately preached, that Spain
has right to consider MIR. Smith guilty until
ne snail have proved his innocence, be correct
" IL wholly lnapplicasle in this case. His in
hocence had been declared Oh the word of hon
OF OF an American officer, and that should
nave been sufficient even in u case where the
euseo was required TO prove a negative.
s'haps some OF those prints which place an
,'ueh conhdeHce in Canedo's knowledge If
'"e La" OF Nature and Nations. can tell ~
! "e''iei IL mas ever been the custom bere,ofors
~ 'oh'oa Consul from boarding a shin he.
ioHs,us 10 MS nation, while living in the nov,
20 winch ne +" accredited. Itmav he
W h't pretend 10 say that it is not. for w. >.
peat iof 'he third time, that we know E,,,a 81
this law, and are undeceiyed a, IN en-. V
impression taken ND by US, namely Tho, :.
were founded on common sense. w. 49,.
therefore, totally at a loss wha, to think. and
honestly ask for information. If Canedo's in.
depreciation be the just one, i, should be
made known TO the Congress of the United
States, in order that the whole machinery OF
the Consular system may be abolished a once
il is very costly, and if ii be OF no service,
this government, one of whose cardinal primo.
pies is an adherence Of sinecures, ough. 10
shuttle il of.