Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08

not only our merchants, but all classes
Of our citizens. At least indirectly are
concerned. it is the duty Of the exec
utiye and legislative branches Of the
government TO exercise a careful super.
vision, and adopt proper measures for
It's protection. The policy which |
have had In view, in regard TO this in
terest embraces its future nj we'll as
its present security.
Long experience has shown that. IN
general when the principal powers Of
Europe are engaged in war. The rights
Of neutral nations are endangered. -
This consideration. led. in the progress
of the war of our independence, to the
formation Of our celebrated confedera-
cy Of armed neutrality, a primary OBJ
ject Of which was. TO assert the doc.
trine, that free ships make free goods.
except in the case Of articles contra
band Of war; n doctrine which. from
from the very commencement Of our
national being, has been cherished
idea Of the statenlen Of this country.
AT one period or another. every mari
time power has by some solemn trea-
ty stipulation. recognized that princi-
pie; and il mighthayo been hoped that
Il would come 10 be- universally re.
srected as a rule Of international law.
But the refusal OF one power prevent
ted this. and in the next great war
which ensued that Of tho French rev.
oluhon. Il failed to berespected among
the belligerent states Of Europe
Notwithstanding this. the principle 10
generally admitted to be sound and
that at the commencement Of the exis-
ting war in Europe. Great Britain and
France announced their purpose 10
observe it for the present; not. howey.
or. Ms recognized international right.
but as mere concession for the time
being. The cooperation. however.
of these two powerful maritime nations
in the interest Of neutral rights, ap-
peared 10 me 10 afford an occasion. in
yiting and juslifyihg. on the part OF
the United States. n renewed effort 10
make the doctrine principle Of in.
ternational law, by means Of special
convention between the several pow
ers of Europe and Americas. Accord
ingly,a proposition, embracing not
only the rule. that free ships make
free goods, except contraband articles
but also the less contested one, that
neutral property. other than contra
band articles, though on board enc.
mics ships. shall be exempt from con.
iscation, has been submitted by this
government to those of Europe and
America.
Russia acted promptly on this mat.
ter. and convention was concluded,
between that country and the United
States, providing for the observance
Of the principles announced, not only
as between themselves, but also az
between them and all other nations,
which shall enter into like stipuiations,
None Of the other powers have as yet
taken final action on the subject.
am not aware. however. that any OBJ
lection to the proposed stipulations has
been made; but, on the contrary, they
are acknowledged to.be essential to
the security Of neutral commerce, and
the only apparent obstacle to their
general adoption is is the possibility
that II may be encumbercd by insdmis'
sible conditions.
The King Of tho Two Siciles hs:
expressed to our Minister at Naples
his readiness to concur ir our PROPOSE
ton relative TO neutral rights. anC
to enter into convention on that sub
jet.
The King OF Prussia entirely ap
proves Of the project OF treaty I,
the same effect. submitted 10 him. bu
proposes an additional article provi
ding for the remuneration Of priyateer
ING. Such an article. for most obyiou
reasons, is much desired by nation
having naval establishments, large II
proportion 20 their foreign commerce
II II were adopted as an internationa
rule. the commerce Of nation having
comparatively small naval force
would be very much at the mercy O
its enemy, in case OF war with pow
er OF decided naval superiority. Tn
baro statement OF the condition Il
which the United States would be pla
ced. after having surrendered tn
right TO resort 10 pr,vateers, in III
event Of war with a belligerent OF mn
val supremacy, will show that ihi
government could sever listen TO sue
; proposition. The navy Of the drs
maritime in Europe is at least lei
times as large az that OF the Unite
, States. The foreign commerce OF tn
two countries is nearly equal, an
: about equally exposed to hostile dep
. radations. In wsr between that pow
er and the United States. without re
} sort on our part 70 our mercantile ma
/ rine. the means of our enemy to in
! ilict injury upon onr commerce woul
! be tonlold greater than ours.to retail
: ate. We could not extricate our coun
: try. from this unequal condition
: with such an enemy. unless we 0
+; once departed from our present peace
ful policy, and became great nays
; power. Nor would this country b
! better situated in war with one OF Oh
r secondary naval powers. Though tn
; naval disparity would be less, th
! greater extent, and more exposed cor
dition Of our wide spread commerce
) would give any Of them like advsr
: tage over rs.
5 The proposition 10 ente.' into On
: gagemenis to forego resort to priva
, leers, in case this country should b