The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-26

Tho Law Of NeatraIs-The General Armstrong
Case
The distinguished senator from Louisiana (Mr. SlidelD
presented the Senate on Thursday last which,
taken in with The doctrines advanced with such
ygor and by the Secretary OF State in his letter 10
the Austrian charge, and with tho laws OF neutrality
which II is interest 10 establish for the protection OF
our marine, presents TO the student OF national comfy
and law features most ineresting-we silude to
the oil the brig "Generss Armstrong" a sor OF ma.
val enigma which has stood for solution upon our exec
a.ve records since 1914. II will be remembered that
Martin Koszta. Hungarian by birth, ranking Is under
American protection, was in the neutral port OF Smyrna.
in the domnons OF Turkey, seized and otherwise NAL
treated by Austrian authorities, in breach OF national
law, and in contempt OF his American protection. Had
been at with AUSTRIA doubtless il would have
been necessary hold the Porte responsible However.
we were not war with Austria. and as the Porte was
weak and had its hands full already became US to pass
over the ncapacy OF the Turkish authorities. and 10
hold Austria herself responsible. It is question wheh
en- in strict law. Turkey not just al responsible
her enemy. But even the law has been laid down,
and has received the sanction OF the whole world that
in neutral port power earth shalt touch anything
American II is this point OF our national law to which
we now direct uention. II the case Of foreigner by
birth alone, ard without special legal mission from the
Executive OF the United States. demanded and justly had
the protection OF that Executive certainly the Of an
American ship. commanded by American officers. legal
lied in its acls by the Of American govern
ment beaten cruelty and with barbarous cowardce 10
death by such an overwhelming British force have
recently seen the Russians marshal to the massacre Of
Sinope, demands attention, and careful and gen.
erous attention, from the American Senate.
The case Of the General Armstrong, which Mr.. Slide
has so gaany espoused, is just this She prvaeer
brig in the war of 1924, when needed and bad
that volunteer sea militia which the bold Independence
Of our citizens and letters OF marque can at moment
create II is not questioned or denied that she was
legally commissioned. then young and gallant ofheer
Of our merchant marine, previously midsbpman in our
navy. Captain Reid, took command. On certain day
in September 1914 he threw anchor in the port Of Faya
in the Azores possession Of the house OF Portugal The
British fleet had been ordered to concentrate at Jamaica
for the purpose Of attacking New Orleans and this
action of Reids prevented that arrangement Al that
time, and long before, and since, a. everybody
knows the Braganza dynasty OF Portugal and the Bruins.
wick dynasty OF England. in strct and cordial al
lance is 10 say. the Brsh government have made,
kept up and hold this Portuguese government Shortly
after Captain Reid drew up under protection Of the font
OF Faya in neutral territory, British squadron entered
in secret that. them, friendly port After some time.
they threw their boats in the night and attacked him.
The action is one of the memorable in history He
defended himself against overwhelming force for ten
hoursesistng successfully two boat attacks, and
by an English brig OF eighteen guns, and ended BY scut
fling the ship keep her from falling into the hands Of
the enemy who afterwards set her fire, and thus des-
royed her. The slaughter of the British was unprece
| dened in military or naval annals. The land rang from
end 10 end with praises Of the noble Corporate
bodies voted him swords, and resolutions and
Generals Scott and Gaines received their swords the
Niagara campaign at the same time with Reid for that
gallant Fayal action. Men then felt that our citizen
rne was jus, good citizen sodiey. But in all
his time, and ever since, the claim which the owners Of
the brig General Armstrong have justly against Great
Britain and Portugal has never been settled And among
the owners the gallant young sailor who fought the
ship. He has since become distinguished in other poius
Tue present United States flag, which first Aoatsd
the House of Representatives in Iss is OF his sole de-
sign and was made in his house. The telegraph signals
from Staten island. in New York harbor-and, we be-
ieve in consequence most il moi all others in the coun
uy-come from his hands Our most active statesmen.
such as Clay, (whose son, James B. Clay, actually
took his papers, and left Portugal the ground Of this
claim not being acceded 10 at once) Webster, and on
endorsed the justice Of his claim. The United States took
upon themselves to settle il FIRST by sending feet into
the Tagus, and then by accedng to an arbitration
between US and Portugal, OF which the President OF
France Louis Napoleon Bonaparie selected, by mu-
tua conssn: OF government and the Portuguese gov
eminent, as arbitrator. and totally, Mr. Sdel ata,es.
against the wishes and without the assent OF the claim
ants" Meantime Loas Napoleon became emperor, and
in that capacity dictated reply which. naturally
to be expected. against government for our
government 10 plaintiff in the matter. and 10 favor OF Por-
tagal We do wish characterize in severe terms
this decision OF the Emperor OF the French With the
highest respect for that lusious person. look on il
altogether not calculated TO obtain for him the bonnet
Of the Sobonne, indeed any other logical or judciaI
honor. Blu, this does not alter The in the least
If our government under whig regime has been led into
false predicament, must abide by il regards Pof-
tugal and France but the very fac, OF submitting
baton decides the fact that government stands
in The position OF Portugal. that acknowledges and
dorses the claim of Captain Reid that has undertaken
settle IL and is 10 Mr. Sders honor that hs comes
in the Senate TO the relief OF the Executive in matter
OF gevous personal injustice The veteran sailor is no
longer in the field applicant that flag he formed
and noby defended The disappointment OF foriyodd
years is eaough for him, but his family have deeper