The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-12

II Tor the present, not however ms recOg-
nized international right, but as a more con-
cession for the time being. The co-opera-
ton, however. of these two powerful mari
time nations, TO tho interest ofnational rights
appeared to me to afford an occasion inviting
and justifying, on tho part of tho U. s., a
removed effort to make the doctrine in ques-
ton q principle of international law, by
means of special conventions between the
several powers of Europe and America.
Accordingly, proposition embracing not
only the rule that free ships, make FREQ
goods; except contraband articles, but also
the less controverted one that neutral prop
erty other than contraband, although on
board ships, shall bo exempted from confis-
cation, has been submitted by the Govern
ment to those of Europe and Americn. Rus
sia acted promptly in this matter and con-
ventipn was concluded between that country
and the United Statcs providing for tho OBJ
servance of the principles announced, not
only as between themselves, but also between
them md all other nations which shall enter
into like stipulations. Mono of the other
powers have as yet taken formal action on
tho subject. 1 am not aware, however, that
any objection to the proposed stipulations
has been made, but, on the contrary, they
are acknowledged to be essential to tho secu-
rity of neutral commerce, and tho only ap-
parent obstacle to their general adoption, is
in the possibility that il may be encountered
by insdmissable conditions.
The King of the Two Sicilies has express
cd to our Minister at Naples his readiness to
concur in our proposition relative to neutral
rights, and to enter into convention on that
subject. Tho King of Prussia entirely APP
proves of the project of treaty TO the samo
effect, submitted to him, but proposes an ad
ditional artiale, providing for the rcnuncia-
ton of privateering. Such an article, for
the most obvious reasons, ia much desired
by nations having naval establishments large
in proportion to their foreign commerce. If
it were adopted as an International rule, tho
commerce of a nation having comparatively
a small Naval force would be very much
at the mercy of its enemy in case of war
with power of decided Naval superiority.
Tho bare statement of tho condition in
which the United States would DO placed
after having surrendered the right to resort
to privateering in the event of war with n
beligerent of naval superiority, will show
that this Government could never listen to
such a proposition. The navy of the first
maritime power in Europe is ot least ten
times as large as that of the United States.
The foreign commerce 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 on our part to our mercantile marine,
the means of our enemy to inilict injury to
our commerce would be ten fold greater than
ours 10 retaliate.
We could not extricate our country, from
this unequal contest with such an enemy.
unless we at once G-partcd from our present
peaceful policy and became great naval
power. Nor would this country bo better
situated in war with one Of these secondary
naval powers. Though a naval disparity
would be less, tie great extent and moro cx-
posed condition of our wide spread CONNER
ce, would give any of them like advantage
over us. The proposition to cntcr into on.
gagemcnts to foreign resort to privatecrs, in
case this country should be forced into war,
with great naval power, is not entitled To
more favorable consideration than would be
proposition to agreo not to accept the ser
vices of volunteers, for operations on land.
VIII n the honor or rights of our country re
quire it to assume hostile attitude, it con-
fidently relies on tho patriotism of citizens
not ordinarily devoted to the military profess
ion, to augment tho army and the navy so as
TO make them fully adequate to the emerg.
ency which calls them into action.
The proposal to surrender the right to en-
ploy privateers, is professedly founded upon
the principle that private property Of unof-
Tending noncombatants, though enemies,
should be exempt from tho ravsges of war
But the propo. ed surrender goes but little
way in carrying out the principles which o.
qual.y requires that such private property
should not be seized or molested by national
vessels of war. Shonld the leading powers
of Europe concur in proposing as a rule of
international law, to exempt private proper
ty upon the ocean from seizure by public ar
med cruisers, as well at by privatecrs, the u
nited States will readily meet them upon that
broad ground.
Since the adjournment of Congress. the
ratiications the treaty between tho United
States and Great Braitan relative to coast
fisheries and the reciprocal trade with the
British North American Provinces have been
exchanged, and some of its anticipated ad-
vantages are already enjoyed by Us, although
its full execution was TO abido certain acts Of
legislation not yet fully performed. So soon
as it was ratified, Great Britain opened to our
commerce the free navigation Of tho River
st. Lawrence and to our fishermen unmoles-
ted access to our rivers and bays from which
they had been previously excluded on the
coast of North American Provinces. In re-
turn for which wee asked for the introduction
free of duty, into the ports oftho United States
Of the fish caught on the same coast by Brit
ish fishermen. This, boing the compensa-
ton stipulated in the treaty, for privileges Of
the highest Importance and value to the Uni
ted States, which were thus voluntarily yie-
lded before it became effective, the request
seemed to DO reasonable one, but it could
not bo accecded to for want of authority TO
suspend our laws imposing duties upon all
foreign fish.
In the meantime, the Treasury Department
issued regulation for ascertaining the duties
paid or secured by bonds on fish caught on
the coast of the British Provinces and bro't
TO our markets by British subjects. after tho
fishing grounds had been made fully acccssi-
bic to tho citizens Of tho United States.
recommend 70 your favorable consideration,
proposition which will be submitted for au-
thorty to refund TO the dutios and cancel tho
bonds thus received. The provinces Of Can
ada and New Brunswick have also anticipa-
ted the full operation Of the treaty by lcgis-
lative arrangements respectively TO admit
FREQ Of duty the products of tho United States
mentioned in the free list of treaty, and ar
ranpements similar to that regarding British