The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-12-14

growth has resulted from the legitimate ex
efcise of Sovereign rights. belonging aiik
to all nations, and by many liberallJ excl
cised Under such circumstances, il coul
hardly have been expected that those anon;
them which have, within comparativei,
recent period, subdued and absorbed an
cieni kingdoms, planted their standards o,
every continent, and now possess, or CLAIM
The control OF, The islands of every ocean a
! their appropriate domain, would look witt
unfriendly sentiments upon The acquisition
| oil this country, IN every instance honofablj
obtained, or would feel themselves justified
linimpoiing our advancementlo 10 spirit o
aggression or 10 psssioa for political pre-
dominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached a mag.
| nitude and extent neatly equal to that OF the
first maritime power of the earth, and cx-
ceading chat Of any olher. Over this grea
interest, in which not only our merchants
bui all classes of citizens, al least indirectly
are concerned, it isthe duty of the execu,
live and legislative branches of the govern.
mepi TO exercise careful superyi sion, and
and adopt proper measures for It's protection
Thepolcy;which have bad in view in re.
gard 10 this interest, embraces its future a:
its present secnrily.
Long experience has shown that, in gen.
eral, when The principal powers of Europe
are epgagedin war, the rights OF neutral ma.
tons are endangered. This consideration
led, in The progress Of the war Of our inde-
pendence, 10 Tue formation of the celebra-
led confsderacy of armed neutrality, a pri-
mary obiecl Of which was, 10 assert the doc
irine iha, the free ships make free goods,
except IN the case OF articles contraband OF
war; a doctrine which, from the very com.
Increment of our national being, has been
cherished i,lea of the statesmen Of this
country. Al one period or another, every
maritime power has, by some solemn lrea-
lY stipulation, tecognized that principle; and
ii might have been hoped that /, would come
10 be universally received and respected as
rule of International law. But the refusal
OF one power prevented this, and in The
next great war which ensued, that of the
French revelation, il failed TO be respected
among the belligerant states of Europe -
Notwithstanding this, the principle is gen.
orally admitted to be sound and salutary
one SO much so that, a, The commence.
ment Of the existing war in Europe, Great
Britain and France announced their pprpose
10 observe il Tor the present. not, however,
asa recognised International right, bu, as a
mere concession for the time being.
The cooperation, however, of these two
powerful maritime nations 10 the interest Of
neutral rights, appeared TO me 10 afford an
occasion inviting and jusufying on The part
Of the United States, a renewed effort 10
make the doctrine 10 question principle OF
International law, by means of special con-
venlons between the several powers of Eu-
rope aad America. Accordingly, PROPOSE
tion, embracing not only the rule, thai free
ships make free goods, except conlraband
articles, but also tie less contested one, that
neutra! property. other than conlraband,-
though on board enemy's ships, shall be ex.
empt from confseaiion, has been submitted
BY this government 10 those of Europe and
America.
Russia acted promptly in this ma tier, and
convention was concluded between that
country and the United States. providing fol
the observance of The principles announced,
not only as between themselves, but also as
between them aud all other nalions, which
shall enter into like slipulations. None oil
the other powets have as yet taken final ac-
tion on the subject. am not aware, how.
ever, thai any objection 10 the proposed slip.
ulalions has been made but, on the con.
lrary, the are acknowledged to be essential
10 the security of neutral commerce and
the only apparent obstacle to their gener al
adoption is in the possibility that il may be
encumbefed by inadmisabls conditions.
The king of The Two Siciles has express
ed TO our ministers al Naples his readiness
10 concur in our proposition relative 10 neu.
trail rights, and 10 enter into convention on
that subject.
The king Of Prussia entirely approves o.
the project Of a treaty TO the same effect
submitted 10 him, but proposes an adduiou.
al article providing for the remuneration Of
priyateeflng Such an article, for most OBJ
yious reasons, is much desired by nalions
having naval establishments large in proper.
10 their foreign commerce. If il were adop.
ted as an International rule, the commerce
OF nation .iaving comparatively a small
naval force, would DO very much at the msr,
cy of its enemy, ia case oil war with pow
er Of decided naval superiority. The bare
statement ofthe cordi!ion IN which tbe Uni
ted States would be placed, after having SUI
rendered therisht 10 resort privsleers, in the
warswiih belligerent ofna val sumpremacy.
win show tbatthis government could never
listen 10 such proposition. The navy Of
The FIRST maritime power in Europe is al least
len times as large as that of the Uail ed
States. The foreign commerce Of the two
countries is nearly equal, and about equally
exposed 10 hostile depredations. In war be-
tween that power and the United States,
without resort or our part 10 our mercantile
marine, The means of our enemy TO infiicl
injury upon cur commerce would be tenfnld