Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-12-13

pected as a rule Of international law.
But the refusal of one power prevented
this, and In the next great war which en-
sued, that of the French revolution, it failed
to be respected among the belligerent States
of Europe. Notwithstanding this. the prin-
ciple is generally admitted TO be sound
and salutary one, so much so, that, at the
commencement of the existing war in Eu-
rope, Great Britain aud France announced
their purpose to observe it for the present !;
not, however, as a recognized International
right but as a mere cessation for the time
being. The cooperation. however, of these
two powerful maritime nations IN the in
terest of neutral rights, appeared TO me to
afford an occasion, inviting and justifying
on the part OF the United States, a renewed
effort to make the doctrine in question a
of international law, by means o!
special conventions between the several
powers of Europe and America. Accord
ingly, proposition, embracing not only the
rule, that tree ships make free goods, ex-
cept contraband articles, but also the less
contested one, that neutral property, other
than contraband, though on board enemy's
ships, shall be exempt ftom conhscatlon,
has been submitted by this government to
those OF Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter, and
a convention was concluded between that
country and the United States, providing
for the observance of the principles an
nounced, not only as between themselves,
but also as between them and all other ma
TONS which shall enter into like stipula-
,ions. None of the other powers have as
vet taien final action on the subject. l am
not aware, however, that any objection to
the proposed stipulations has been made
but, on the contrary, they are acknowl-
edged to be essential TO the security ofneu-
tral commerce; and the only apparent OBJ
stacle to their general adoption is in the
possibility, that it may be encumbered by
inadmissable conditions.
The King of the Two Siciles has ex-
pressed to our minister at Naples his readl-
ness to concur in our proposition relative to
neutral rights, and to enter into conven-
ton on that subject.
The King Of Prussia entirely approves OF
the project Of a treaty TO the same effect
submitted to him, but proposes an addition
al article providing for the remuneration OF
privateering. Such an article, for most OBJ
vlous reasons, is much desired by nations
having naval establishments, large in pro-
portion to their foreign commerce. 1t 1t
we're adopted as an International rule, the
commerce of nation having comparative
ly a small naval force, would be very much
at the mercy of its enemy, in case OF wal
with power Of decided naval superiority.
The bare statement Of the condition in
which the United States would be placed
after having surrendered the right to resort
to privateers, in the event OF war with
helligerent of naval supremacy, will show
that this government could never listen to
such a proposition. The navy OF the fir>t
maritime power in Europe is at least ten
times as large as that of the United States
The foreign CONNIE: ce of the two countries
is nearly equal, and about equally exposed
to hostile deprcdatons. In war between
that power and the United States, without
resort on our part to our mercantile marine
the means of our enemy to lntiict injury
upon our commerce would be tenioid great
er than ours to retaliatc. We could not eX.
tricate our country from this unequal cond'
ZION with such an enemy, unless we a
once departed from our present peaceful
policy and became great naval power
Nor would this country be better situated
in war with one OF the secondary nava
powers. Though the naval disparity wouIc
De less, The greater extent. and more eX'
posed condition of our widespread com
merce would give any Of them like ad
vantage over US.
The proposition to enter into engage
ments TO fotego resort TO privateers, in case
this country should be forced into war Nitl
great naval power, is not entitled to more
favorable consideration than would be {
proposition, TO agree not to accept the SER
wees of volunteers for operations on land
When the honor or the rights of our coun
try require it to assume hostile attitude, i
confidently relies upon the patriotism of it,
citizens, not ordinarily devoted to the mil
tary profession, to augment the army anc
the navy, so as to make them fully adequate
to the emergency which calls them into ac
ton. The proposal to surrender the rish
to employ privateers is professedly founded
upon the principle. that private property o
unofending non-combatant>, though enc
mics, should be exempt from the ravages o
war: but the proposed surrender goes hui
little way in carrying out that principle
which equally requires that such private
property should not be seized or molestee
by national ships of war. Should The lead
Ing powers OF Europe concur in proposing
as a rule of international law, 10 eXemp
private property, upon the ocean, from
seizure by public armed cruisers, as well a,
by privateers, the United States will readi.
y meet them upon that broad ground.
Since the adjournment of Congress, the
rati6cations of the treaty between The Uni.
ted States and Great Britain, relative tc
coast fisheries. and 10 reciprocal trade with
the British North American provinces, have
been exchanged, and some Of its anticipated
advantages are already enjoyed by US, al
though its full execution was TO abide GER
tam acts oflegisation not yet fully perform
ed. So soon as it was ratified, Great Brit.
am opened to our commerce The free Eavi-
CATION OF the river ST. Lawrence, and tc
our fishermen unmoIested access TO the
shores and bays, from which they had been
previously excluded, on the coasts of hen
North American provinces in return lor
which, she asked for the introduction, free
of duty. INTO the polts Of the United States
of the fish caught on the same coast by
British fishermen.
This being the compensation, stipulated
IN the treaty, for privileges Of the highest
Importance and value to the United States
winch were thus voluntarily yielded be fore
;, hacomp effective the renue.t s..,,od g.