Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-11-19
From the Cotton Plant.
The Coast Marine Policy of the United states-Cu0"

The recent outrages upon American interests IN
the fishery question: the Cuban question ard the m
suits by England in the Gulf of Mexlco forces as to
broaeh the enquiry, 's What is the true American
doctrine in relation to coastng trade, and the ilye5
and property hourly exposed upon our extensive aud
extending coast 2"
The true policy of the United States is, to possess
those islands groups of islands situated so near
coast to be made capable of being Marine tor
fcations dangerous to coasting trade or to the
safety of American life or property. Jourheying or
being transported from one American port to anoth-
er. The idea of England and Spain and France
possessing Marine fortifcatons all along our Pacific
Gulf and Atlantic coast, is Objectionable We do
not mean to be understood advocating the policy
of forcible and unlawful seizure Far from it. We
mean to say that in time of peace our diplomatic Ell
forts should aim at establishing in possession of
all the strongholds necessary to the safety of our
trade and commerce.
In of war would of course seize upon them.
In our next number will give interesting sketch
of the Sandwich Island question.
We place Gibraltar at the head of this article
for particular purpose. This fortress Is on the
southern extremity of Spain, commanding the
trance to- and exit from the Mediterranean The
average he ght of these rocks raising perpendicular
from the water, is about / 100 feet ON each side
The west side toward the bay is covered with can
non, the town rising up the hill, with eircutous
streets. The town is divided by walls to null
tiply the defences. The connection with the main
land is by narrow bar and sandy isthmus running
up to the base Of the rocky cliff, wherein hundreds
OF excavations are cannon. perfectly commanding
| the shore The side towards the Mediterranean s
equally impregnable. From Europa Point the
channel is guarded by heavy batteries, stationed on
gradually ascending steps. On the top is station
house or lookout. From this lookout the gunners
below is signazed, for purposes of defence insult
to the flags of other nations, will ailude TO
hereafter No vessel can enter without being sunk.
Five or six thousand hold the fortress
against the world. This important fortress England
took without right and holds without title 1t is the
use she makes of this stronghold of which we are
| going to speak.
Every vessel of whatever nation, is compelled to
hoist her colors, Or, be sunk If from Ignorance
want OF inclination any vessel attempts to enter with
out hosting her colors, shot is thrown astcrn of
! her-then before her, and then OVER her. If 81 e
keeps on without showing her flag she is sunk, or
has to run the gauntlet of horrible fire. Now, by
what right does England exercise this police TT
channel or strait is much the high the Pa
cifc or English Channel. We ask what right has
England al Gibraltar to thus compel American
vessel to hoist her colors? Ifa vessel slips in,
capes the fires, she is recorded and never
ter again without paying bill of ten Spanish dol
lars a shot to the English garrison. We know that
many Of readers are familiar with this high
handed tyranny, and of the protests of the Medier
ranean States. We allude to it. merely to show the
fact that England holds fortress rightfuy be-
longing to Spain, and that she exercises police over
the shipping of this country upon the high
1t she took Gibraltar and Malta and certain Islands
! too g numerous to mention from Spain and other
countries in part of the world, why not in anot
er? And if she exercises police over shipping
when entering the Mediterranean compelling them
to hoist their colors be sunk why not take posses
sion of Cuba and do the thing in the Gulf =
The principle is the same. The locality is only DIFF
ferect. We will continue this subject when we
come to speak of the Sandwich Islands.
| We should possess as Marine Notifications. those
islands upon coast, which, if possessed by an
enemy Or power likely to become could inter
rupt trade or eopardze the lives of citizens
journeying from port to poIt: We should have
them. They are just essential to