Demoine courier., 1854-12-21
Our foreign commerce has reached

4
Over this grea. interest, in which not
only our merchants, but all classes of
citizens, a, least indirectly are concern.
ed, it is the duty of the executive and
legislative branches of the government 10
exercise careful supervision, and adopt
proper measures for its protection. The
policy which lave had in view, in re.
gard to this interest embraces lis future
as well as IFS 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 forma-
ton of the celebrated confeceracy of
armed neutrality, primary object OF
which was, TO assert the doctrine, that
free ships make free goods, except in the
case of articles contraband Of war; a
doctrine which, from the very commence
ment of our national being, has been a
cherished idea Of the statesmen Of this
country. At one period or another ev-
cry maratime power has, by some sol
emn treaty stipulation, recognized that
principle; and it might have been hoped
that it would come to be universally re-
ceived and respected as rule of interna.
.ional law. But the refusal of one pow
er prevented this, and in the next great
war which ensued, that Of the French
Revolution, il failed TO be respected a.
mong the belligerent States Of Europe.
Notwithstanding this, the principle is
generally admitted to be sound and sal
utary one; so much, that q, the com.
mencement of the existing war in Eu.
rope, Great Britain and France annnunc.
ed their purpose to obstrve it for the
present; not, however, as recognized
international right, but as a me re con-
cession for the time being.
The cooperation. however, of these
two powerful mara time nations in the
interest Of neutral rights. appeared TO me
TO afford an occasion, inviting and jus,i
flying, on the part Of the United States,
aIeuewed effort to make the doctrine in
question principle of International law.
by means of special conventions between
the several powers of Europe and Amer.
lea. Accordingly. proposition, en-
bracing not only The rule tha, free ships
make free goods, except contrsbaud ar.
,icles, but also the contested one. tha,
neutral property. other than conlraband.
though on board enemy's ships, shall be
exempt from coniscaiioh, has been cub
mited by this government 10 those OF
Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter.
and convention was concluded between
that country and the United States, pro.
viding for the observance Of the rrinci
pies announced, not only as between
themselves but also as between them
and all other nations which shall enter
in,o like s.ipula.ions. None of the 9TH
er powers have as yet taken final action
on the subject. am not aware, how
ever, that any objection To- the proposed
siipula,ions has been made; but, on the
contrary, they are acknowledged TO be
essential 10 the security of neutral com
merce; and the only apparent obstacle to
their general adoption is in ths possiblli
ty that it may be encumbured by mad.
missible conditions.
The King of the Two Sicilies has ex-
pressed to our Minister at Naples, his
readiness TO concur in our proposition
relative to neutral rights, and to enter in.
to convention on that subject.
The King Of Prussia entirely approves
of the project Of treaty to the same
effect, submitted to him, bu. proposes
an additional article providing for the re-
nnnciation of priva,eering. Such an
article, for most OBJ rious reasons, is much
desired by nations having naval esiab-
lishments, large in proportion 10 their
foreign commerc If il were adopted
as an International rule, the commerce OF
a nation having comparatively 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 condition in
which the United States would be plao-
ed, after having surrendered the right to
IcsOAs W PAis0sCOios III ti0 CvSuk Vi WaI
with belligerent of naval supremacy,
will show that this government could
never listen to such proposition. The
navy of the FIRST maraiime power in Eu
rope is at least ten times as large as ,ha,
Of that Of the United States. The for.
eign commerce of the two countries is
nearly equal. and about equally exposed
to hostile depreda,ions. In war between
that power and the United States, with
out resort on our part to our mercantile
marine, the means of our enemy to in
flict injury upon our commerce would
be tenfold greater than ours to retaliate.
We could not extricate our county from
this unequal condition, with such an en-
emy, unless we a. once departed from
our present peaceful policy, and became
great naval power. Nor would this
country 5e better situated in war with
one of the secondary naval powers
Though the naval disparity would be
less. the greater extent, and more expos.
ed condition Of our wide. spread COM
merce, would give any of them a like
advantage over US.
The proposition to enter into engage
ments TO forego resort to privateers, in