The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-08
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an0 u might nave been hoPeu tuat h@~u"'o
to he universally received 'arrd respected as rule
of international law. but the refusal OF one
power prevrnled this, and in ihe next great waF
which ensued that Of the French revolution, u la'
ed TO be respected among the dbelligerrnt states
OF Irope. Notwiihsl ondIng this, the principle
is generally admitted 10 be sound and satntary
one; so much So, that. at the commencement OF
the existing war in Europe, Great Britain and
France announced their purpose 10 observe u Tor
the presents Dol, however, as recognised inter-
nauional right, but as a mere concession Tor the
time being. The cooperation, however, OF these
Two powerful maritime nations in ibe interest o!
neutral rights appeared to me to afford an occa-
sion inyihng and jus yIngs on The part soi ahe
United States, a renewed effort To make The ooc'
rrine in question principle OF International ta"'
by means of special conventions between the sew
eral powers of Europe and America. According
ly, proposition embracing not only The rule. that
free ships make free goods. except contrabnnd
articles but also the less contested one, that neu'
tral property, other than contra band, through on
beard enemy'S ships, shall be exemp; from con-
fiscation, has been submitted by this government
to those OF Europe aud America.
Russia acted promptly IN this matter, and q
convention concluded, between that country
and the United States, providing for the obser'
vance Of the principles announced, not only as
between themselves, but also as between them and
all other nations, which shall enter into like stIpu-
=lations. None OF the other powers have as yet
taken final action on The subject | am not aware,
however. that any objection to the proposed stpu.
lalions has been made but, the contrary, they
are acknowledged 10 be essential to the security
Of neutral commerce and the only apparent OBJ
sacle TO their general adoption is in the possiblli.
ty, that il may be eucumbered by inadmissibc
conditions.
The King OF the two Sices has expressed 10
minister Naples his readiness to concur in
our proposition relative TO neutral rights, and 10
enter into convention on that suhlect. 80
The King of Prussia entirely approves OF tho
project Of treaty to the effect, submitted to
him, but proposes an additional article providing
Tor the remuneration OF PriVateering. Such an
article, for most obvious reasons, is much desired
by nations having naval establishments, lHrge IN
proportion to their foreign cummerce. Ii II were
adopted an international rule the commerce OF
a nation having comparatively small naval force
would be very much at lhe mercy of s enemy,
in case Of war with a-po@er Of decided naval SUI
perority. The bare statement OF The condition in
which the United States swould be placed, after
having surrendered the rghI TO resort to prvaeers,
in the event Of with a belligerent of naval
supremacy, will show thai this government could
never listen 10 such proposition. The navy OF
The first maritime lSeweT in Europe is at least ten
times large that Of The Uniled States. The
equal and about equally exposed to hostile drpre.
dauons. In war between that power and The
United States, without resort on our part 10
me ercantile marihe, the means of enemy
inf1ict injury upon our commerce would be teBfod
greater than ours TO retaliale. We could moi ex.
tricdte our country from this unequal condition,
with such an enemy, unless we at once departed
from present policy, and became great naval
power. Nor would this country be better situated
Though the naval disparity would be less, the
greater extent, and more exposed condition OF our
widespread commerce, would give any Of lhema
Ike advantage over US.
The proposition to enter into engagements TO
forego resort 10 privateers, in case this country
should be forced into war with great naval power,
is not entitled to more (avora De consideration than
would be proposition TO agree not TO accept the
services Of volunteers for operations on land
When The honor the rights Of our country re.
qure TO assume hostile altitude, confidently
relies opon 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 tie emergency which calls
hem into action. The proposal TO surrender the
right TO employ prva!oers is professedly founded
upon the principle. that private property Of uDoi.
lending non combutans, though enemies, should
be exempt from The ravages of war; but the pro-
'SS"N SON0
out that principle, which equally requires that
such private properly should moi be seized or
noIesied by national ships Of war. Should the
eadIng powers Of Europe concur in proposing, as
rule Of international law, 10 exempt private pro.
'erty upon the ocean from SEIZURE by public
armed cruisers, well as by privateers, the
Jnl'ed States will readily meet them upon that
,road ground.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the rntfca.
ions Of the treaty between the United States and
treat Britain relative to coast fisheries and 10
eciprocal trade with the British North American
PROVINCES have been exchanged, and some of its
anticipated advantages are already enjoyed by us,
lthough It's full execution wIs to abide certain
cts OF Legislation moi yet fully performed. So
ocn as il was ratified, Great Britain opened to
ur commerce the free navigation of ihe river 81.
lawrence, and TO our fishermen unnlolcsted access
0 the shores and bays, from which they had been
previously excluded, on The coasts Of her North
American provinces; in return Tor which she asked
Or the introduction, free Of duty. into The ports
I the United States, OF the fish caught on the
anne coast by British fishermen. This being the
compensation, stipulated in the treaty, Tor priyi.
sges of the highes: importance and value to The
United States, which were thus voluntarily yield
d before 1t became effective, the reuuest seemed
, me 20 be reasonable one /; but il could not be
cceded TO from want Of authority TO suspend our
avs Imposing duties upon all foreign fish: In The
1aantIne, the TrsnsIry Department issued n reg.
nfI. l1ar.