Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-04-20

IL Y undefslOod that our accomplished min
lister n the court Of 81. James, Hon. JAMES
RucHANANs has effected an arrangement with
Great Britain, whereby the great principle ut
Tree ships, free goods will be recognized as IN
ternah6hal law and whereby, also, neutral
goods in enemies ships are exempted from
capture. No announcement could he made thai
would be received with greater favor by the
mercantile world. Ii is n peace triumph far
more worthy 10 be concentrated than Wa
terl0o victory. IL is the Rlorioos result of that
great but silent acknowledgements
How pertinacious Great Britain has hereto
fore been on ultra belligerent rights, even with
this country, let the negotiations of l64l, M
less than earlier negotiations and acts, relative
90 this country, testify. Il has contended for
The impressment right, and the right to cap
sure enemies property on board neutrals for
nearly two hundred years while the opposite
principle, free ships. free goods, met with
little favor. Let the British debates in paria-
ment attest how it was regarded. When, some
years ago, Great Britain succeeded in obtain
Ing convention with Russia, ia which this
principle was yielded, Lord Nelson, in the
house Of lords, declared that free ships, free
goods was a proposition SO monstrons in IT.
seif, 30 contrary TO the law of nations, and SO
injurious to the maritime rights Of this (Great
Brittany country, that, if persisted in, we ought
not to have concluded the war with those
powers while single man, single shilling,
or even single drop Of blood remained in the
country. That abominable proposition was
now oct at rest II surely marks progress
that1a length Great Britain has in such manner
acknowledged this once 'abOminable PrupO-
sitiea. 70 be sound. that il is efectually set at
miuTfP : rl~ he
the commercial world have had it secured TO
them forever. Henceforth free ships, free
goods 10 to be part Of the code of international
Law.
Il 10 reported. also, that the impressment
question is settled Ii waa when Great Britain
began to grow strong as 4 maritime power,
that II sls0 oct up It's search preiensiOn. After
one Of her contests with Holland, 1854, she
demanded Of that power the concession that not
Only merchant vessels, but even national ships,
should be subjected TO search. The Dutch
sPurned such treaty. They were obliged,
however, TO give up the point rs to merchant
men, even when they were under convoy
The States at that time declared that the cap
saius 10 their service should be strictly com
manded, told and charged that they shall not
cOndescend to notice commands of any for
eigners Al sea, much less obey the same; nei
Their shall they any ways permit that they be
searched, nor deliver, nor suffer to he taken
cut of their ships, any people or other things
1t was not till 1907 that Great Britain attemp-
ted 90 enforce the 1854 preiension TO search
ships Of war for its subjects, in the case Of the
Chesapeake. Then il was that Young Ameri-
ca took It's stand on what British writers term
new mountaineering 10 the search not only
Of ships Of war, but even of merchant vessels
for deserters.' The 1919 war settled this
practically, though the Client treaty says moth
ing about it. And now this new stand is ac-
khowledged by Great Britain TO be sound and
the principle that commercial Holland an
0ounced for her ships Of war. has been reason
ably secured by commercial America.
The arrangement with Great Britain, which
has undoubtedly been made, indicates progress
in sound principles as gratifying as il is re-
niarkahle. Free ships, free goods, has been
conteuded for bV onr diplnmatisls, under in
stfuctinns from our executives, with noble zeal
and. splendid intellectual power. Now il is
established. The commerce of the world will
share its benefits 10 state of war. The &C.
acknowledgement Of the principle is one Of the
facts that speak well for the age. Il is fit that
democratic admInistratiOn-the successor of
those administrations Of like politics that con-
tended for free trade and sailors rights-shouId
have the honOr Of effecling this achievement
1t eanndt fail Ca confer lasting glory on all con-
eerned in it.-BOstOn Posi-.