Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-13

try. At one period or another every martin,
power has, by some solemn treaty stipulation
recognised that principle; and it might have
been hoped that it would come to be UNIVERSAL,
received and respect cted as a rule of information
al law. But the refusal of one power prevented
this, and in the next great war which ensued
that of the French revolution it failed to be re-
spected among the belligereut states Of Europe
Notwithstanding this, the principle il generally
admitted to be sound and sautary one; SO
much so, that, at the commencement of the
existing war in Europe, Great Britain and
France announced their purpose to observe il
for the present; not, however, as a recognised
international right, but as a mere concession
4 for the time being. Tne co cooperation, however
OF these two maritime nations of the interest of
Neutral rights appeared to me to afford an ac-
cesOn, inviting and justfying, on the part o!
the United States, a renewed effort to make
the doctrine in question a principle of aterna-
tOnal law, by means Of special conventions be
tween the several powers of Europe and Ameri-
ca. Accordingly, a proposition, embracing
not only the rule, that free ships make free
goods, except contraband articles, but also the
less contested one, shat neutral property, other
than contraband, though on board enemvs
ships, shall he exempt from confsca'ion, has
Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter. and a
convention was concluded, between that cOun-
try and the United States providing for the oh
servance of the principles announced, not only
as between themselves. but also as between
them and all other nations, which shall enter
into like stipulations None of the other pow-
crs have as yet taken final action on the sub
I IL, I,
lection to the proposed stipulation has been
made; but on the contrary, they are acknowl-
edged to be essential to the security of neutral
commerce; and the only apparent obstacle to
their general adoption is in the possibility that
it may be encumbered by inadmissible condi-
tions.
The King Of the Two Sieilies has expressed
to oar minister at Naples his readiness TO con
cur in our proposition relative to neutral rights,
and to enter into a convention on that subject
The King of Prussia entirely approves of
the project of Il treaty to the same effect. sub
mitted to him, but proposes an additional
article providing for the remuneration of priva-
teering. Such an article, for most obvious
reasons, is much desired by nations having
naval establishments, large in proportion to their
foreign commerce. fit were adopted as an
rule, the 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. The bare statement of the codi>
ton in which the United States would be
placed. after having surrendered the right to
resort to privateers, in the event Of war with
a beligerent of naval supremacy, will show
that this government could not listen to such
The navy of the FIRST maritime
power in Europe is at least ten times as large
as that of the United States. The foreign
OF the two countries is nearly equal,
and about equally exposed to hostile depreda'
tions. In war between that power and the
United States, without resort on our part to our
mercantile marine, the means of our enemy
to inhct injury upo our commerce would be
tenfold greater than ours to retaliate We
could not extricate our country from this un
equal condition, with such an enemy, unless
we at once departed from our present peaceful
policy and became a great naval power. Nor
would this country be better situated, in war
with one of the secondary naval powers
Though the naval disparity would be less, the
greater extent and more exposed condition of
our widespread commerce, would give any OF
them a like advantage over us.
The proposition to enter into engagements
to foreign resort 70 prlvateers, in case this
country should be forced into war with great
naval power, is not entitled to more favorable
consideration than woull he a proposition to
agree not to except the services of volunteers /
for operations on land. When the honor or
the rights of our country require it TO assume
A hostile attitude, it confidently relies upon the
patriotism of its citizens, not ordinarily devoted
10 the military profession, to augment the army
and the navy, so as to make them fully ade-
luate to the emergency which calls them into |
action. The proposal to surrender the right
20 employ privateers is profrssedly founded /.
lpon the principle. that private property is |
lnofending non combatants, though enemies,
should he exempt from the ravares of war; but /
he proposed surrender goes but little way in
carrying out that principle. which equally re-
luires that such private property should not be .
seized or molested by national ships of war
Shoud the leading powers of Europe concur /
n proposing, as a rule of international law to
exempt private properly. upon the ocean, from .
seizure py public armed cruisers. as well as hv .
orivateers, the United States will readily meet .
hem upon that broad ground
Since the adjournment of Congress- the I
of the treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, relative to coast
isheries, and to reciprocal trade with the
British North American provinces have been
and some of its anticipated advan-
ages are already enjoyed bv US. although its
I'LL execution was to abide certain acts of
egislation not vet fully performed. So soon
IS it was ratified, Great Britain opened to our
the free navigation of the river St.
lawrence and to our fishermen unmolesed
ccess to the shores and bays, from which thew
lad been previously excluded, on the coasts of
er North American provinces: in return for
which, she asked for the introduction, free Of
uty, into the ports of the United States, of the
sh caught on the same coast bv British fisher
nen. This being the compensation, stipulated
n the treaty, for PRIVILEGES Of the highest i'm
ortance and value to the United States, which,
'ere thus voluntarily yielded before it became
ffective, the request seemed to me to be
easonable one; hut it could not he acceded to,
rom want of authority to suspend our laws
IMPOSING duties on all foreign fish. In the
1eantime, the Treasury Department issued a
equation, for ascertaining the duties paid or
ecured by bonds on fish caught on the coasts
the British provinces, and brought to our
larkets hy British subjects, after the fishing
rounds had been made fully accessible 10 the
itizens of the United States. | recommend
} vonr favorable consideration a proposition
hich will be submitted to you. for authority {
} refund the duties and cancel the bonds thus
aceived. The provinces of Canada and New
have also anticipated tne full opera I
on OF the treaty, by legislative arrangements, &