The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-07

4
whatever, except warlke weapons. Wool and silk,
and all goods manufactured from them, gold and
silver corn and other articles of provision, ship
timber, sails and canvas, were especially named as
free goods. They might carry also, the persons of
an enemy though not their military force Thus
was the second treaty formed, in advance Of the
full establishment OF our nationality, with leading
European powers, exempting our interests from in
jury through the future quarrels OF Europe and to-
tally repudatng the principle Of the British rule of
1855.
After the French entered the war, the Dutch con-
ceved high hopes of recovering their former pre-
eminence as the carriers OF Europe. They were cir
cumspect in their policy, and escaping thus many
OF the wars in which other Powers were involved,
found the occasion OF such contests among the rest
the source of their best harvest They now entered
vigorously into the business OF supplying the French
with military and naval stores, the latter being
brought wholly from the Baltic, and consisting of
masts, panks, hemp, flax, pitch, ashes, &c. The
cutting of her usual supply from America, had
made the want OF the articles severely felt in
England. Potashes had risen in the English mar
ket, during the war, from IS. t. f3 los. per cwt
spermacet oil from f35 to G75 per ton and tar from
IS to Fl los. per barrel AS the supplies destined
for the French passed along her own coasts, the
temptation toappropriate, or at least to stop them
altogether, was very grcat-almost too great for
selfish human nature to endure. She did not hest
tate but bounced upon the Dutch vessels at once,
Selling great numbers OF them. The States General
demonstrated, and insisted upon reparation and
future immunity, referring to the marine treaty Of
l7Gi. But the secret provision was pertinaciously
held up to their face; and though England released
such vessels had what she called unexceptonable
cGgoes all the cargoes OF naval stores retained
pay ment being awarded the owners ut fair vaua-
Il n, together with freight and reasonable allow
ance for expense and damage. This conflicting
policy was dictated by necessity on one hand, and
desire the other not to add Holland to the already
4 sufficiently formidable alliance against her.
That the Dutch did, to some extent, abuse their
privilege neutrals that is according to the deini-
ton of treaties there can be no doubt Their posi-
Z fIrHurlgIt
neutrality only. Fer whatever equally III de-
mand by the two near hcgerants, they sedulously
chose the French market, and advocating freedom
Of trade rs they did, they prohibited, later, their
own people, under severe penalties, from furnishing
provisions to the English garrison at Gibraltar.
England, while thus invading the privileges Of
neutrals had still to presume upon The indulgence Of
her antagonists and Of the commercial world, not to
consider her assumed laws of international policy
yet established, far rs neutral trade with herself
was concerned. Acts were still passed. and con-
tinued 10 lie until the end Of the war, offering more
encouragement even by bounties, to the visitation
Of her ports by neutral vessels and she even invited
the seamen Of neutral nations to desert their own
flags, and fill up the deficiencies in her navy.
In June, 1919, Spain became the third confederate
against England, and opened the trade of her colo
mics TO all neutral powers. Thus for the first time,
did freedom Of trade exist, to non-conbatants, in
nearly all parts Of America. Brazil, with the small
Dutch colony in Guiana were row the only neutral
! provinces the whole American continent, and
there were but few small islands remaining in that
| position i'll the West Indies.
To protect fleet of their merchant vessels bound
to France the Dutch in the latter part of I779 sent
| with them convoy of five ships of war. On the
first of January, l7s0, an English squadron meeting
! them demanded the search OF the merchantmen,
which being resisted the whole trading 1otilla was,
after short action, seized. Reparation yehe-
mently but vainly demanded, and the English gov
eminent soon after proclaimed all vessels assisting
the enemy with wallihe stores, naval supplies being
included in the term, to be lawful prizes. In April,
lIS0, another proclamation, affecting to consider
Holland heretofore the ally of Great Britain as
sumed that she had, by refusing or ncglecting to
furnish succors to her, deserted her alliance, and
would thenceforth be considered only as a neutral
power, no longer entitled to any privileges of former
treaty the advantages of the marine treaty Of 1894
! being especially suspended. Thus were privileges
repeatedly declared to be nuliiled, assumed by Eng
land herself to be still in existence, and to require
at that late hour, another formal suspension. The
English priyateers were now able to cut off all
| supplies intcrdicted to her enemies in Europe.
Tie suspension OF the trade in naval stores began
now to lie inconvenienty felt by the northern coun-
tries from which those articles were derived. These
Countries naturally sympathiZed with Holland which
had found markets for great quantities of their pro-
| ducts. Seeing now the probability that Holland
would soon be involved in the war, they considered
it time to take some decided action to secure their
own rights from m0Ie direct encrSachment, and to
cid also the of their correspondent. 1t was in
these high ATTITUDES in the great combined Baltic
interests, family Of nations little interfering of late
III the OF the rest of the continent that the
Power was found which should drive England from
her unjust rlctensions Russia-a nation whose adj
yanelng Importance was beginning to he ognzed
though hardly yet admitted within the list Of civil
lied communtes-took the incipient steps, and
assumed the leadership of the movement, rather to
the surprise of England, who imagined herself seated
IN the good graces OF that nation. And thus did
the chief barbaric Power OF the world become the
champion Of high enlightened principle in oppo-
stionto the selfish and contracted policy upheld by
the leading civilized nation of the earth.
The moment was anspicious. England, with her
ayeIt tn he Iacf md oh
to add Holland, as the fourth great member of the
terrible eonfederacy against her, would not dare
the certainty oiprostraton that the weight Of north
ern alliance would ensure. Looking now like the
United States, to that great commercial future
which was regarded in all her policy Russia pro-
mulgatcd the New Navigation Code, the leading
points of which, as set forth in the manifesto
OF the Czarina Catherine, were -
4 l. Neutral ships shall enjoy free navigation from
I port 70 port on The coasts Of the begerents.
p All goods may be conveyed in neutral vessels,
\ whether property Of helgerents or not executing
thosc expressly stipulated contraband, consisting
4 only q committeeman warlike stores.
:. Neutral vessels shall be exempt from search,
for even contraband goods, their papers being suf
hcent evidence Of the nature of the cargo
4. port is considered in a state Of blockade,
only when sufficient force is stationed before it to
make good the order.
The Empress announced her intention, in pro-
mitigating these enlightened principles, to protect
the honor of her flag and the security of her com
merce by their rigid enforcement.
On the publication of the Russian manifesto,
France and Spain at once declared their full and
cordial appreciation OF its doctrines. The Kings of
Denmark and Sweden readily seconded the views of
the Empress and, to give them efficiency, con-
federacy was formed by Russia, Sweden and Dem
mark, under the title of the Armed Neutrality
T oil other powers being invited to become members.
II The Armed Neutrals had soon, devoted 10 the es-
peeial service OF the league, fleet of above eighty
4 ships OF war, sending convoy with each fleet Of
merchantmen despatched from the Baltic. Five
Russian ships were slso stationed in the English
channel to complete the check upon the operations
\ Of the British against neutrals.
4 The British government, yielding to the necessity,
I doggcdiy relingui-hed its practice, without, how
\ ever. renouncmg tie principle. The Armed Neu
trails maintaining their threatening attitude during
tie rest of the war; kept them in awe, and enjoyed
the right Of unrestricted trade with the belligerents
The only course lett by which England could at all
oounteact tie policy Of the neutals by forcing
Holland into the war, by which step she would &C.
L. IL