Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-12-13
Presidents Message.

Finding it rather incouvcnient to give ou
readers the whole of this Presidential paper, VI
will select some paragraphs and merely indicate
the contents of others.
Paragraph ], expresses the commonplace
gratulaliuns to the country at large.
Paragraph ., alludes to our peace with al
nations.
Paragraph 3, makes mention of rising dis
position on The part of certain European govern
ments 10 adjust the balance of power on our sidt
of the Atlantic.
| Paragraph 4, proceeds to explain that oul
box-terrapin propensity to keep our own affair:
entirely to ourselves is the cause of European
distrust and suspicion of US.
Paragraph 5, briefly defends our territorial
expansion against the charge of rapacity.
Paragraphs 6, and 8, are occupied with SUM-
dry remarks upon our wide commerce, and upon
the governments determination. under the we'll
! known circumstances Of war which now disturb
trade, to maintain nviosate the international rule
that free stripes make free goods" Russia's
recognition of the rnIe and the silence of Great
Britain and France thrreupon, are noticed.
Paragraphs 10 and II, give reasons for de-
clining Prussias proposition to couple with the
aforesaid international rule, The Recommendation
of privateering; and here we quote the message
"The King Of Prussia entirety approves of
The project Of treaty to the same effect, sub
mit,ed to him, but proposes dr- additional article
providing for the pronunciation OF privateering.
Such an article, fppmost obvious reasons, is much
desired by nations having naval establishments,
large in proportion to their foreign commerce.
If it were adopted rs an international rule the
commerce OF 4 nation having comparatively 4
small naval force would be very much at the
mercy of its enemy, in case Of war with power
of decided naval superiority. The bare state
mcnt of the condition in which the United States
would be placed, after having surrendered the
ruht to resort to priyateers, in the event of war
with bclgerent Of naval supremacy, will show
| that this government could never listen to such
Il proposition The navy Of She first maritime
power in Europe is at least Ten times'as large as
that of the United States: The foreign COM
! merce of the two countries is nearly equal, and
about equally exposed to hostile depredations.
In war between that power and the United States,
without resort OIL our part to our mercantile ma
rinc. the means Of our enemy TO lnfiIct injury
t+1'on our commerce would be tcntold greater
Than ours to rctaliatc. We could not eXtricate
our country from this unequal condition, with
such an enemy, unless we 1T once departed from
our present policy, and became a great naval
power Nor would this country be better stu
aied in war with one of the secondary naval
powers. Though the naval disparity would be
less, the greater extent, and more exposed con-
dillon of our widespread commerce, would give
any of them like advantage over u.s.
The proposition to enter into engagements to
foreuo resort to privateers, in case this country
should he forced into war with great naval
power, is not entitled to more favorable i'd
Grafton than would be a proposition to agree not
TO accept the services of volunteers for opera
lions on land. When the honor or the rights of
our country require it to assume a hostile atti-
,ude, it confidently relies upon the patriotism of
its citizens, not ordinarily devoted TO the military
profession, to augment the army and the navy,
so as to make them fully adequate 10 the emer-
ncncv which calls them into action. The pro-
posai to surrender the ri ght to employ privateers
is professcdly founded upon the principle, that
private property of unoticnding non.combatants,
though enemies, should be exempt from the
ravages of war; but the proposed surrender goes
but little way in carrying out that principle, which
equally requires that such private property should
not be seized or mO!ested by national ships OF
war. Should the. leading powers of Europe
concur in proposing, as rule Of international
law, TO exempt private property upon the ocean
from seizure by public armed cruisers, as well as
by privatcers the United States will readily meet
them upon tha, broad ground"
Paragraph 10, tells Of the Fishery treaty.
Paragraph Is, speaks of the boundary line of
Washington territory, and recommends the ap-
pointmcnt Of Commission to meet one on the
part of Her Majesiy's government, whose joint
business it shall be to settle the dispute.
Paragraph l3. discants upon our relations
with France, as follows:
aFrance was the early and efficient ally of
the United States in their struggle for lndePen-
dence From that time to the present, with oc.
casional slight Interruptions, cardinal relations OF
friendship have existed between the governments
and people of the two countries. The kindly
sentiments, cherished alike by both nations, have
led to extensive social and commercial inter-
course, which, | trust, will not be interrupted or
checked by any casual event Of an apparently
unsatisfactory character The French consul at
San Francisco was, not long since, brought into
the United States district court ut that place. by
compulsory process, as witness in FAVOR OF an
other foreign consul, in violation, as the French
government conceiyes, of his privileges, under
our consular convention with France. There
being nothing in the transaction which could i'm
ply.any disrcspect to France or its consul, such
explanation has been made as | hope will be sat
isfaclory. Subsequently misunderstanding arose
on the subject Of the French government having
as it appeared, abruptly excluded the American
minister to Spain from passing through France
on his way from London 10 Madrid. But thai
government has unequvocally disavowed any
design to deny the right of transit to The minis
ter of the United States; and, after explanations
to this effect, he has resumed his journey, auc
actually returned through France to Spnin
herewith lay before Congress the correspondence,
on this subject between our envoy at Paris ant
the minister of foreign relations OF the French
government"
Paragraph Is, touches upon Spain, hopes tina
our minister to that distracted country will ye
achieve something satisfactory, &c.
Paragraph IT, thus finally disposes of th'
celebrated Japan Expedition:
"The naval expedition, despatched about tw'
years since for the purpose OF establishing reli
lions with the empire of japan, has been abI.
and skiIfully conducted to successful terminl
ton by the officer TO whom it was intrusted. {
treaty opening certain of the ports of that popu
lous country has been negotiated and in orde