Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-20

will possess foot of colonial territory. Colonies
are but the children of nations, and, like other
children, when they arrive at manhood, they
have right to set up for themselves.
When they have the power to maintain their
independence, the law of nations justifes it.
Successful rebellion is then no longer treason.
In the language of the poet:
Treason prospers-whats the reasoni
why, when 1t prospers, none dare call 1t treason"
This, however, is "a matter with which foreign
nations have no right whatever to interfere. 1t
more particularly behooyes the people of the
ohi'ea states, whose government is founded, not
IN conquest, but upon the immutable principles
ol Jusce 10 take care not to violate these sacred
principles.
Inc American people must ever feel deep
sympathy in every effort to advance the. .cause of
human rights and human freedom throughout
the earth; yet our policy, duty and, onr in
terest all forbid us Interfering in the internal
concerns of other nations. Our true course to
advance the cause of human freedom is, not to
propagate our principles by fraud and violence
but to set u right example of justice, moderation
and good faith in intercourse with foreign
nations. Not to coyet our neighbor's house, nor
his land, nor his OK, his ass, nor anything
that is his. but to be content with the blessings
which a bountiful Providence has showered down
upon us, every other nation upon the surface
of the globe. .. ... - ..
Our ambition ought to be satisfied for we now
possess territory equal in extent to that Of the
Roman empire in the zenith of its glory when
Rome was called the mistress of the world If
we go on adding State to State, and Territory to
Territory, the fate of Rome must be our fate
our Union must inevitably fall to pieces under its
own ponderous weight. s
We have no other interest, fellow-citizens, in
addressing to you this letter, but what is common
to a-the welfare of beloved country.
We JOY in her joy, and mourn when she weeps.
We have never had anything whatever te do with
public office, do we wish it. For the frag-
ment of life which remains expect to earn our
bread as we have heretofore done, by the sweat
of our brow. Whilst that life remains, we shall
ever feel deep and abiding interest in the pres
ervation of our Union and the perpetuity Of our
| institutions We passed many years in various
parts of Europe, on commercial business, during
! the reign Of the modern Caesar, and subsequent
to his downfall and we then and there saw
enough of the empire Of the bayonet to make US
wish to live and to die under the empire of the
laws FITZsIMoNs.
Tu$cuzum, near Wilmington, Del, June i, 1850.
WAsHINGToNs PROCLAMATION.
By the President Of The United States Of america.
|. PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, it appears that a state of war exists
between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain
and the United Netherlands, the one part,
and France on the other; and the duty and in
terest of the United States require that they
should, with sincerity and good faith, adopt and
| pursue n conduct friendly and impartial towards
| the beiigerent powers,-I have therefore thought
tit, by these presents, to declare the disposition
of the United States to observe the conduct afore
said towards the powers respectfully, and to ex-
hort and warn the citizens of the United States
carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings what
soever which may, i'll any manner, tend to con-
travene such disposition.
And do hereby also make known, that who
soever of the citizens of the United States shall
render himself liable to punishment, under the
law of nations, by committing aiding, or abetting
hostilities against any of said powers, by carry
ing to any of them those articles which are
deemed contraband by the modern usage of na-
TONS will not receive the protection of the United
States against such punishment forfeiture :;
and further that shall give instructions to those
officers to whom it belongs to cause prosecution
to be instituted against all persons who shall,
within the cognzance of the courts of the United
States, violate the law of nations with respect to
| the powers at war, any of them.
In testimony whereof, l have caused the
r, seal of the United States of America to
l"' o. be affixed to these presents, and signed
the same with my hand.
Done at the city of Philadelphia, the 22d April,
1893, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the seventeenth.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
BY the President:
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State