Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-21
RALEIGH, April 90, 1854.
The RIrhta OF NeutraIs.

mated t0e GOVernOF
The Rights Of NeutraIs.
It is said and apparently with sufficient warranty
at least circumstantia that the Queen OF England is
about TO issue her proclamation declaring policy on
the part of Great Britain in the coming contest, IN
accordance with the principles of maritime law al
ways commended for by the United States upon the
subject of the rights of that free
ships make free goods, waving the former assump'
ton made by Great Britain of the right of visitation
and impressment and relinquishing the doctrine OF
paper bockades
The steamers which are now due are expecedto bring
definite and official information upon this subject
the satisfactory adjustment OF which cannot tali TO
afford grounds for congratulaton on the part OF the
people and the authorities of the United States, in
somuCh as a faithful observance of these principles
on the part of the maritime belligerents, will place
the question of peace war; so far as we are con-
cerned altogether within our own control; Whereas
under q different system, we might be compelled
however contrary to inclination or our interests
to defend the honor of flag at the expense OF our
neutrality 1t may he taken for granted that if Eng
land assumes this ground, she does in connection
with France, and that the same course will be pur-
sued by the government of that country. Once es-
tablsbed these principles of International law must
go far to remove the chances Of future collisions and
entang Elements.
1t is probable that these concessions if they have
indeed been made are due: in some measure, to the
representations of our able and dis tingushed Minis
ter at the Court of ST. James, Hon. James Buchanan,
but in still greater measure, to the changed posi-
ton of afairs-to the absolute necessity felt by the
Western allies of maintaining friendly relations with
Al ;koI tbort hau~ he
her influence thrown into the adverse scale of con-
test already sufficiently doubtful. We can see moth
ing to object against a stipulation of neutrality on
our part which only give an official sanction to
a course of policy alike in accordance with our in
terests, our duty and our antecedents.
P S. Since the above written we have re-
ceived the news by the Herman and America con-
frming the outbreak of war and bringing the Queens
proclamation on the subject of neutrals
Charleston Convention.
On Thursday the Convention assembled at half
past nine o'clock and proceeded 10 the discussion OF
the resolutions reported by the General Committee,
which have already been published in this paper
The resolutions recommending the encouragement of
commerce, manufactures, etc, at the South, were
passed with little discussion. The sixth and really
important resolution then came up, in substance, as
follows:
Resolved That Committee of be appointed TO
memorabilia Congress- in the name of this Convention,
and in the most earnest manner 10 urge the Impor-
lance of, and TO pray for, the following measures,
viz:
l. The remission of duties on railroad IRON
2. The passage of an act for the improvement OF
the merchant service, by encouraging boys to 60 to
sea- and for preventing deSertlOn.
3. To send one or two small naval steamers up the
Amazon, for the purpose of exploring the tributaries
of that river, which the States owning them have de-
Clared 10 be free to the commerce and navigation OF
the whole world.
4 To encourage the establishment of line of
mail steamers between Southern seaport or
town and the mouth of the Amazon, some other
port in Brazil.
5. And also to encourage the establishment OF a
direct mail route, by steamers, between some South
ern port and Europe.
6. Upon the improvement of harbors and navi ga
bic rivers.
On motion of Mr. Tiff, of Georgia, the first pro-
position with regard to the duties Railroad iron
was so amended as 10 read reduction =" instead OF
" remission" The second proposition passed
without opposition. The third slightly amended
and passed The fourth and fifth propositions pass
ed with slight verbal amendments. The sixth propo-
stion was discussed with considerable vehemence.--
It is as follows
"Also the improvement of harbors and navigable
rivers"
Mr.. Polk of Tennessee and others opposed this
proposition as introducing political element into
the Convention, upon question which had agitated
the councils of the nation, and if that question was
to be decided at all it should be decided in Congress
and not in the Convention. He did not pretend to
gulate the whole of the Tennessee delegation
but as an individual, he would not consent tc
be placed in the position of memorialist to Con
gress. to ask what he believed 10 be violation
of the constitution. He moved TO strike the propo
sition out
The question being taken riUG Uoee. the result was
doubtful, and vote by States demanded anc
being taken resulted Nays-1O, Ayes-4, as follows
NAYs-Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louis
lana, Mississippi, Maryland Missouri, North Carolin;
and Texas
AYEs-Georga, South Carolina Tennessee ant
Virginia.
So the motion 10 strike out rejected.
Mr.. Clay of Alabama, moved to amend the propo
silon, so as to read
Also for the improvement of harbors and navi
gable rivers far may be within the Constitu
tiOnal competency of Congress.
Pending discussion the hour for adjournment al
rived. Subsequently, on Friday, the General Com
mittee, through its Chairman, asked leave to wthda,
the sixth proposition, which granted and the fy
former propositions stood without it.
On Friday, the General Committee on resolutions
and also Subcommittee ofthe same reported long n
solutions which debated on that dav and on Sa
urday. We may hereafter publish them, but OF
It'd 20 cd Tho Al