Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-04-15
Mr.. Deans Resolutions Treaty with England


The resolutions offered in the House Of Rep
resentaiives on Monday lost, by Mr.. Dean, O
New York. declare il to be the duty of the Uni
ted States Government, in the event of a genera
European war to maintain the following prinoi
ples
First-That goods belonging to any one Of the
belligerent parties shall not be subject 10 eap-
ture by the enemy, on board of neutral vessels,
or in other words, that free ships shall mike free
goods.
second-That the neutral hag shall protect
from unreasonable search the ships TINT bear IL.
Third-That the property Of neutrals, ON board
the vessels Of the belige rent powers. not be
subject to seizure and eonfseation.
These resolutions involve questions Of such
grave Importance. that we deem it proper to lay
before our readers the movers explanation Of
them. Mr.. Dean said;
The first resolution Is plain and distinct state
meut Of our duty 10 maintain neutrality in the
war between The different powers OF Europe. 1t
then reasserts the doctrine that has been often
nssered hythe people and executive department of
this government but which the Judiciary has fail
edto sustain. The executive branch of the govern
nent has from its foundation, beginning with the
Congress oil the Confederation, and from TINT
it. diplomacy eontended, that free ships mike
free goods. and that the goods Of neutrals
board the ships of belligerents arc not liable TO
seizure and eoniisention. The Importance Of this
subject. at the present crisis, cannot be estma
ted OF expressed. IL has been recently discuss
ed in the British Parliament. The ministry baYo
been called upon to state what would be the ae-
ton Of that government and they have not full.
IL met or answered the question, though they in
innate that liberal policy will be pursued.
The second resolution calls for any arrange
ment or correspondence between our govern
ment aud foreign powers upon this subject; and
| will state here, as important To be known, whatl
think will prove correct, Tint our goyernnenthas
been engaged in endenyoring 10 secure the nd
mission and establishment OF this principle as IN
ternational Inv, aud that representative mt
the Court of st. James in particular has ably,
aud elieye successfully, accomplished it, az
far its recognition depends upon that govern
ment. And II Is universally admitted that if
Great Britain, which is the power that has Mt all
times prevented its adoption, agrees to itnot by
treaty. but by proclamation and action during
the war, 1t will forever be placed on the firm ba
sis of precedent rs well us natural right aud JUS
tiee.
am informed TINT the action of our gov
ernment is not known, merchants aud others in
terested feel much anxiety. II is due to them
that they should hive all the information in our
possession, aud also to know TINT Congress is
determined To curry out this doctrine nj all haz.
ards. | think that the Executive aud Congress
ought now 10 tnke their 4tnnd, and shy tn the
world that this is prinelple-that we will not
be driven from H. that will legislhte to as-
seft 1t ; that we will negotiate To secure II md,
if need be, tint will fight 10 maintain il. And,
sir, the day that we establish this principle, will
be ono of the prondest in American history aud
in my Judgment the time for action has now
rived.
Mr. Bocock-This il an exceedingly important
proposition, as ii undertakes To define the po-
sition this government occupies in the pending
war II it means 10 do any thing, IL means TO fix
the position of this government IN the controver-
sy. If this is the design, il ought to have the
sanction of deliberate action. 1t is indeed to
produce an effort On merchants, nnd On
the actions of other countries, but this cannot be
done simply by resolution not requiring the
Joint action of the two Houses. lie moved it bo
referred to the Committee on Foreign Al'ars, in
order TINT careful consideration may he given 10
the subject. The motion was agreed to.
The New York Herald states, that the resolu-
ton of Mr.. Dem presented at the request of
the Administration, 10 prepare the public mind
for the fact, that Mr.. Buchanan has negotiated Il
treaty with England, establishing the principles
laid down in the resolutions. The treaty itself
is expected by the next steamer, but the prelimi-
nary correspondence connected with it has al
ready been secured at the State Department.
| The Herald states the substance of the treaty as
| follows
England admits, in the approaching European
war, the doctrine that the flag covers both shl
and cargo, and TINT FREQ ships make free
goods also renounclug the right of search for
the mpressment of seamen SO far ms American
vessels are concerned, and eoneeding the restric
ton as TO the law of blockade.
In return, the United States is pledged [,
strict neutrality and Northumberland in IN,
coming contest between the Western Powers ant
Russia.
The Importance of the concessions here mad,
by England in favor ofneural commerce, will b,
more fully appreciated when we bear in mind tina
the constant practice of belligerent nations from
the earliest times has subjected neutral yessel
to visitation and search, and the enemy's good
found thereon to capture and condemnation a
prizes of war.
Admitting this intelligence to be true, the peo
pie of this country have every reason to congratu
late themselves on the negotiation of the treat,
in question 1t will secure to us the carrying
trade of the world, aud greatly diminish the dan
ger of our becoming involved in the European
meiee.-Epeaing Bulletin.
Party Fortunes
The Y. Y. San, paper that until recently
gave its hearty support to Gen. Pierce's Admin
istration, in article the subject of party for
tunes makes the following pointed remarks:
/ r.