Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-14

NOhNCuoloi W DIS COHCluutu, UPbWecn ufluG country
and the United States, providing for the obsarg-
ance 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 powers have as
yet taken final action on the subject am not
aware, however, that any objection to the pro-
posed 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 in the possibility, that it may be encumbered
by inadmissible conditions as-
The King of the Two Cicilies has expressed
to our Minister at Naples his readiness to con-
cur in our proposition relative to neutral rights,
and to enter into n convention on the subject
The King of Prussia entirely approves of the
project Of treaty to the same effect submitted
to him, but proposes an additional article pro-
ylding for the renunciation of privateering
Such an article ior most obvions reasons. is
much desired by nations having naval establish
ments, large in proportion to their foreign COM
mercc. II At were adopted as an international
rule, the commerce Of anation having compar-
atiyoly small naval force, would be very much
at the mercy Of its enemy, in case Of war with
apower Of decided naval 81 periority. The bare
States would Be placed, after having surrendered
the right to resort 10 prsateers, in the event Of
war with belligerant of naval supremacy will
show. that this government could never listen to
fsach q proposition The navy of the first mar
itine power in Europe is at least. ten times as
large as that of the United States The foreign
commerce Of the two nations is nearly equal
and aboat equally exposed to hostile depreda-
tlons. In war between that power and the Uni
ted States, without resort on our part to our
mercantile marine, the means of our enemy to
lntlict injury upon our commerce wonld be ten
told greater than ours to retalate We could
not extricate our country from this unequal con-
dtion, with such an enemy. unless we at once
depart from our present peaceful policy, and
become 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 wide spread com
merce, would give any Of them a like advantage
over us.
The proposition to enter into engagements to
forego to resort to prvateors, in case this coun-
try should be forced into war with great naval
power, is not entitled to more favorable con-
sderatiOn than would be Il proposition, to agree
crations ON land When the honor or the rights
of oar country require it 10 assume hostile at
tituda it confidently relies upon the patriotism of
IT'S citizens, not ordinarily devoted to the military
profession, to augment the army and the navy +,
gency which calls them into action. The pro-
posal to surrender the right to employ priva-
tcers is prolessedly founded upon the principle,
4loA,,
batants, though enemies should be exempt from
the favages Of war but the proposed surrender
goes but little way in carrying out that princi-
pie, which equally requires that such private
property should not be seized or molested by
national ships of war. Shoald the leading
powers Of Europe concur in proposing, as a
rulo of international law, 10 exempt pri-
vate property, upon the ocean, from seizure by
public armed cruisers as we'll as by priyateers,
the United States will readily meet them upon
that broad ground.
Since the adjournment Of Congress, the rati-
hcations OF the treaty between the United States
and Great Britain relative to coast fisheries, and to
reeipreal trade with the British North Ameri-
can provinces, have been exchanged, and some
of its anticipated advantages ayy slready enjoy
ed bv us, although its full execution was to
abide certain acts of legislation not yet fully
performed. So soon as it was ratified, Great
Briyian opened to our commerce the free navi-
CATION of the river St. Lawrence, and to our
fishermen unmolestcd access to the shores and
bays, from which they had been previously ex-
GUIDED on tho coasts of her North American
; provinces in return for which, she asked for
the introduction, free of duty, into the ports Of
the United States, Of the fish caught on the
b,, Phi Nh, haipn
the compensation, stipulated in the treaty, tol
:, privileges of the highest Importance and value
to the United States, which were thus volunta-
rily Welded before it became effective, the re-
: quest seemed to me to be reasonable one but
it could not be acceded to, from want of author
ty to suspend our laws imposing duties upon al
oreign fish. In the meantime, the Treasury
Department issued regulation, for ascertainin2
the duties paid or secured by bonds on tisl
caught on the costs of the British provinces
, and brought to our markets by British sub iects
. after the fishing grounds had been made fully
accessible to the citizens Of the United States
: | recommend to your favorable consideration
u proposition, which will be submitted to you
ior authority to refund the duties and cance
! the bonds thus received. The provinces of Can
ada and New Brunswick have also anticipated
=, the full operation of the treaty, by Legislative
arrangements, respectively, to admit, free o
duty, the products Of the United States men
T. tiond in the free list of the treaty and an ar
u rangement similar to that regarding Britist
t fish, has been made for duties now chargeahl
n ON the products Of those provinces enumerated
: in the same free list, and introduced therefrou
o into the United States a proposition for re
IS funding which will, in my Judgment, be in lk
: manner entitled to your favorable consideration
J. There is difference Of opinion between tn
:, United States and Great Britain, as to the boun
IS dairy line of the Territory Of Washington ad
Joining the British possessions on the Pacific
e which has already led to difficulties on the par
:, of the citizens and local authorities of the tw'
|. governments. recommend that provisions bC
lie made for Il commission, to be joined by one Oh
If the part of her Britanic Majesty, for tho pur
I, pose of running and establishing the line i,
e controversy Certain stipulations of the thir,
1t and fourth articles Of the treaty concluded by
a the United States and Great Britain in 1916
1t regarding possessory rights of the Hudson
~ Bay Company, and property Of the Puget
e. Sound Agricultural Company, have given ris
" to serious disputes, and it is important to al
ut concerned, that snmmery means of sattln
it them amicably should be devised. | have rea
S~ son 70 NClltNe, luut al dllduScuIcut Cdil u
10 made on Just terms, for the extinguishment c
10 the rights in question, embracing, also, tn
III right of the Hudson's Bay Company to tn
10 navigation of the river Colnmbia and there
d. fore suggest to your consideration, the exped
to ency of making contingent appropriation fe
t, that purpose
in France was the early and ancient ally OF tn
ad United States in their struggle for independence
1t, From that time to the present, with occasion:
It, slight interruptions, cordial relations of trienc
g. ship have existed between the governments an
r. peoples of the two countries. The kindly ser
al timonts, cherished alike by both nations, hay
n, led to extensive social and commercial inte
IL course which, trust, will not be interropte
nc or checked BY any casual event of an apparen
'y ly unsatisfactory character. The French Con
al sui ut San Francisco was not long since, brogf
y, into the United States district court at thl