Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-12-14
EATON, PREBLE COUNTY, 0. DEC "A, 1854.

existing war in Europe, Great Britain and
France announced their purpose 10 observe il I
for the present; not, however, as recognized
right, but as mere concession
for the time being. The cooperation, how
ever, of these two powerful maritime nations
in the interest Of neutral rights, appeared tol
me TO afford an occas ion INVITING and justify
ing, on the part Of the United States, re-
newed effort to make the doctrine in question
principle OF international law, by means of
special conventions between the several pow
ers OF Europe and America. Accordingly, a
proposition, embracing not only the rule, that
free ships make free goods, except contraband
articles, but also the less contested one, that
neutra property, other than contraband, though
on board enemy's, ships, shall he exempt
from confscation, 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 announced,
not Only as between themselves, but also be-
tween them and all other nations, which shall
enter into like Slipulations. None of the 9th
er powers have as yet taken final action on
the subject. am not aware, however, that
any oh lection 10 the proposed stipuations has
been made; but, on the contrary, they are ac-
knOwledgcd to be essential to the security of
neutral commerce; and the only apparent OBJ
stacle to their general adoption is in the
possibility that il may be eDcumbered By in.
admissible conditions.
/ TIE King Of the Two Sicilies has expressed
! 10 our minister at Naples his readiness 10 con
cur in our propos ltlon relati.e 10 neutral
! rights, and 10 enter into convention on that
J subject.
! The King of Prussia entirely approves Of
! the project of treaty 10 the same effect sub
mitted 10 him, but proposes an additional ar
\ tlcle providing for the renuncation Of prya-
teering. Such an article, for the most obvi-
Gus reasons, is much desired by nations hay
iEg naval establishments, large in proportion
10 their foreign commerce. If il weie adopted
as an International rule, the commerce Of q
nation having comparatively a small naval
force would be very much az the mercy OF il
, enemy, in case of war with power oi
decided naval superiority. The bare state
ment Of The condition in which the United
States would be placed, after having surren-
, dered the right 10 resort TO privateers, in tht
!, event OF war with belligercnt Of naval su
: premscy, will show that this Government
could never listen to such proposition. Tht
navy Of the first maritime power in Europe Il
n; least ten times as large as that Of the UniIeC
States. The foreign commerce of the twC
: counties is nearly equal, and about equal.
J exposed to hostile depredations. In war be
S tween that power aud the United States, wi, H.
S out resor. on our part 10 our mercantile ma
rne, the means Of our enemy TO inniet iniu
- ha for Ia uss Of.
. er than ours to retalate. We could not ex
t tricate our country from thisuneqaal condition
K with such an enemy, unless We OF once de
+ parted from our present peaceful policy, am
t became great naval power. Nor would thi
+ country be better situated in war with one o
! the Seconnary naval powers. Thongh the ma
h val disparity would be less, the greater eXten
b and more exposed condition of our vi 1e Sprea
/ commerce would give any Of them like at
d vantage over us.
II The proppsitOnto enter into engagement
= TO f0Tegn resort TO privaieerS, in case TIL
J. country should be forced into wal with grea
l. naval power, is not entitled TO more iavofa
i bic consideration than would be proposi
= ton 10 agree not 10 accept the services Of vol
IT unteerS for operations on laad. When til
l. honor or the rights OF our country require
At TO as ume hostile attitu e, 1t confidentI
l. relies upon the patriotism Of its citizens, nt
s. ordinarily devoted TO the military profession
e, to augment the army and navy, so as to MAX
ID them fully adequate 10 the emergency whic
es calls them into action. The proposal TO SUI
al render the right 10 employ prva teers is pre-
II fesSedly founded upon the principle, that pr
S. vate property Of unoifegdng non cnmbatenN
- though enemies should be exempt from III
x ravages Of war; bat the proposed surrendt
,d goes but little way in carrying out that prime
Of pie, which equally requires that such prva
l- property should not be seized or moleSted b
Sc national ships OF war. Should the leadm
rs powers Of Europe concur in propoSing,0S o rul
is of International law, to exempt private pror
erty, upon the ocean, from seizure from put
.h lie armed cruisers, as well as by prlyaleeES
IN the United States will readily meet upon thi
rs broad ground
+ Since the adjournment Of Congress, the raj
nj iicaliOns Of the treaty between The Unite
.h States and Great BIiain, relative TO coast fsf
& cries, and to reciprocal trade withthe Brtis
e, North American provinces, have been eS
ed changed, and some OF lis anticipated adyar
,ir tages are already enjoyed by us, although il
IS fun execution was 10 able certain acts
v legislation, not yet fully performed. SO SOC
Id os ii was ratified, Great Britain opened 10 Of
c. codnnl rec the free navigation Of the river 5
ce Law nee, and 10 our fishermen unrnoeste
es access TO the shores and bays, from which The
had cen previously excluded, ON the coas
alaofher North American provinces; in return f
which, she asked for the Introduction, free
IL Of duly, into the ports of the United States,
he the fish caught on the same coast by BritlS
T. fishermen. This being the compensate
.at stipulated in the treaty, for privileges OF Il
Iut highest importance and value to the Unite
ne States, which were thus voluntarily ylelJt
nd before it became eileclive,t the request seem'
* to me reasonable one; but it could not
yer acceded 10, from want Of authority to sl
ch pend our laws imposing duties upon all iOrei!
st, fish, In the meantime the, Treasury ID
Se- parlment issued regulation for aScerialnil
The duties paid or cecured by bonds en- II
er- caught on the coasts Of the BIltish province
are and brought 10 our marketSby British subJec
; is after the fishing grounds had been made lul
The accessible 10 the citlzenSof the United STATE
Lhe | recommend II your favorable consider
of ton proposition, which will be submit
ich to you, for authority 10 refund the duties al
ms cancel the bonds thus received. The Prov
les ces of Canada and New Brunswick have al
the anticipated the full operations oil the treat
ng ! by legislative arrangements, respectively,
Of admit, free Of duty, the products Of the "
ey ted States mentioned in the Tree list oil |
mn treaty; and all Arrangement similar 10 tsa' !
lie; garding British fish has been made for dul
mid now chargeable on the product Of those pro
ted iaces enumerated in the same irse lst' a