Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
From the Picayuue.l

proceeded to the despatch of business.
The Presidents message was taken from tn
table. and read by the Secretary of the Senate
and the Clerk Of the House of Representatives
The message is q tame and uninterestin|
document. 1t commences with allusions Il
the past year, as q marked one; to the failur
of the crops, to some extent; to the prevalence
of disease, which has been unusually severe
and to the great sacrifice of human life b,
casualties. The state of the country, is des
cribed . peaceful and prosperous, and tn
President in this connectien alludes to III
policy of our Government, in avoiding entang
ling alliances, which we are enabled to do sue
cessfully, being at SO great a distance from
Europe.
The message then goes on to allude to at
tempts which have been made by European
powers, to control the direction of our foreign
policy. Some have attempted, it proceeds Il
state, 10 enforce arbitrary regulations; but ths
| United States would not admit the claim O
the sovereigns of one continent to legislatt
for all others. Our Government leaves trans
atlantic nations to adjust their political sys'
TENS in their own way. Our military in time
of peace is adapted only to maintain our ex.
terror defences, while the duty of our navy il
to protect our citizens abroad, and the free
exercise of our commerce. Our Government
being pacific in its policy, shows that it is no,
disposed to encroach upon the rights, or in any
other way to endanger the security Of other
powers. 81"
The growth of the United States, the Pres
ident remarks, is the necessary result of the
exercise of the sovereign rights belonging to
and exercised by all nations.
The doctrine that free ships make free goods
Is laid down and reiterated, the sole exception
acknowledged being that Of this case of goods
eontraband of wal. The President says that
he believes this doctrine to be sound and sal.
utary, and he then proceeds to state that q
proposition embracing this rule having been
submitted to the other Governments of Anne.
RIGA and to those Of Europe, the Russian, Gov.
eminent has already acknowledged it. None
Of the other powers have taken any action in
the matter; but it is understood that the King
Q fPrussia and the King ofthe Two Sicilies are
willing to adopt it should the leading powers
of Europe also agree to do 20. ,4,e,, ,o,.=,yl
The message then states that it has been
proposed that it should be acknowledged as
a rule of international law. that private proper.
ty should be exempt from seizure BY public
armed cruisers. and that the practice of priya-
be surrendered. To this, it is o6serv-
that we could not agree, because onr regular
navy is 50 disproportionatc to the extent ofthe
to be protected. The proposal to
surrender the right to employ piyatesrs ia pro.
founded on the principle. that private
property of unoffending non-combatants, even
enemies, should be exempt from the
ravages Of war. But the proposed surrender
goes but a little way towards carrying out that
which equally requires that such pro-
perty should not be seized or molested by ma.
ships of war. Should the leading DOW.
srs Of Europe concur in proposing as a rule of
'nternatianal law. to exempt private property
IN the ocean from seizure BY pablo armed
cruisers as well as BY privateers, the United
will readily meet them upon that broad
yround. jsla ~ ;h''t1s "r't
The message next alludes commendingly to-
he reciprocity treaty, and recommends the re-
unding certain duties.
The next point in the message Is the recon-.
nendation Of the appointment Of q Joint Anne.
lean and British Commission for the purpose
# arranging for the sale of British, possessions
ours, to the United States, with partic.
reference to the Territory Of Washington, !
n which difficulties have already occurred be.
ween our citizens and the local authorities. |
Certain stipulations of the third and fourth
lrticles Of the treaty concluded by the United |
and Great Britain in 1916, regarding the
'ossessory rights Of the Hudson's Bay Cons
ANY aad the property Of the Puget's Sound
Agricultural Company, have given rise, it is
tated, to serious disputes; and it is important
o all concerned that q summary means of set~
ling should bo devised. The President SAYS
70 believes that arrangements can be made for |
extinguishment Of the rights in question,
q also Of those of the ,Hudson's Bay Compa. |
y to navigate the Columbia.
The late difficulty with respect to the arrest
+ NJ. Dillon, the French Consul at San Fran
isco, is next referred TO, and it's satisfacty set.
announced. f>"ai ts4.t -
With respect 10 the right Of N. Souie, to pass
trough France, the message states that France
the order for his expulsion, and une.
uivocally disavows having denied him the right
t transit, and the President expresses the
ope that no unpleasantness win occur between
two countries in reference to the subject.
he correspondents which has taken place, in
sference to the matter, is laid before Congress-
Affairs, with regard to Spain, the message
tates, remain unchanged. No proper oppor-
had occurred to press negotiations, in
'fefence to our claims on the Spanish Gov.
rnlnent in consequence Of the difficulties
,hich have been transporting in that country.-
he President says, however, that he believes
mt the present Government ii favorablyv ia.
ined towards a compliance with our just de-
ands. The late Ministry were violently tex.
from power and the present ineumbents
. men of very different views from them, In
lation to the administration Of internal 1T.
irs. There are serious questions in relation
dificulties between the, Spanish Govern.
snt still spending; hnt there seems good
'ound for expecting that onr Miplstsr win
ID fewer obstacles il the weyi At ~ adjust
ont, and making suisablea arrangements for
NAN fhn fun Nnnnirioa than Ia @nn11 ,,uNn.