The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-19
NAPOLEON.

INTER- STING LEGAL DECISION The Neutrality
Laos Of the United Statcs.-Some of the gentry
who are burning to extend the area OF freedom by
flibustering against powers with whom we have
aback some " hat with the decision of the United
States Supreme Court, in the case of certain Anne.
rican citizens against Colonel Thomas j. Cham.
bers, of Texas. While Texas was contending
against Mexico, but before her independence had
been acknowledged by our Government the de-
PENDANT, Chambers, desiring to carry on the revo-
lutionary cause, sold large tracts Of land to the
plaintfRs--ttle to which he covenanted to make at
any time when called upon by the purchasers.
The purchase money was expended in equipping
soldiers for the revolutionary army and, after the
esta bshrnent of Texan independence, defendant
received the thanks of the Congress o. the new re
public. and was reimbursed all the expenses in.
Cured by him during the war, in the public ser
vice, including the price of these lands. Subse-
quently he was called upon to make title to the
lands sold to PLAINTIFF, which he refus 3D. Suit
was brought to compel him to the performance OF
his covenant. and he get up in defence the allega-
ton that the contract was void, because in contra
vention of the neutrality laws of the United States
The court sustained this defence, deciding the con-
tract to be null and void, and those who advanced
the money were liable to be punished in a crimi-
nal prosecution, for a violation of the neutrality
laws of the United States.
The independence of Texas had not been ac-
knowledged at the time Of the contract. Texas,
as far as the United States Government was con
we had treaties existing of amity and friendship.
The conduct of those who lent the money was in
direct opposition to the policy of the Government
of the United States, which exerting itself to
maintain its neutral obligations. The Consttu-
ton of the United States places in the hands of the
Government the policy which is to govern in it's
intercourse with foreign nations When the Gov
eminent declares war against any nation, the cti.
zen is bound to be at with that nation, and he
is equally bound to commit no act of hostility
gainst nation with which the Government is in
amity and friendship. The co4rt says:
"When that authority (the United States Gov
ernment) has plighted its faith to another nation
that there shall be peace and friendship between
the citizens of the two countries, every citizen of
the United States ia equally and personally pledged
The compact ia made by the Department of the
Government upon which he himself has agreed to
confer the power. 1t ia his own personal compact
as portion of the sovereignty in whose behalf it
is made. And he can do no act, nor enter into any
agreement to promote or encourage revolt or hoe
tilities against the territories of country with
which our Government is pledged by treaty to be
at peace, without breach of his duty as citizen,
and the breach Of the faith pledged to the foreign
nation; and, ifhe does so, he cannot claim the aid
of court of ustice to enforce it -
This principle Is universally acknowledged by
the law of nations and it lies at the foundation of
all government, as there could be no social order
or peaceful relations between the citizens of differ
ent countries without Philadelphia Ledger