Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-24
MI. walbridse's Resolutions.

and immediately affecting the lnterestbSbf
this country, and bearing SO directly on its
commerce, that 1t should be definitely set
tied at once, and distinct and unequivo
cal understanding negotiated between the
United States and England With view
to an explicit enunciation OF the views
and principles this country will maintain
in her commercial intercourse with the
belligerent powers OF Europe, MI. Wal
bridge, of New York, has offered reso-
luton in Congress which meets the ques-
ton fully and satisfactorily. Itprovides
That the United States as a maritime
power, having neutral rights to maintain
deem it proper, in view of the existing
war in Europe to declare and make known,
that every American vessel engaged in
the lawful pursui: Of commerce is held
by this Government to be protected oy the
flag that. covers her, and which shall be
the evidence of her nationality; that we
attach to all such vessels character of
sovereignty, considering them part O:
our territory, inviolable, and clothed with
corresponding immunity; that our rights,
as thus declared, rest upon no precarious
or temporary basis, nor upon the conces-
sions Of any power, but upon the public
Law, as insisted upon from the early histo-
ry of the Republic and tina. any attempt
to enforce an absolute right Of Impress
ment, search, detention, or visitation in
regard to such American ships, will be re-
garded as an act Of hostility to the United
States and just cause Of war.
1t was announced by us in our last pa
per that the principle had been aequiesccd
in for The presm by the English Govern
ment. Such is the reading of the Queen S
proclamation, and to our mind, viewing it
through all the surrounding circumstances,
it is very evident that the policy of Eng
land will dictate the abandonment, of the
right of search of American vessels for the
present. There is, however, an evident
conflict with the Queens proclamation in
the sentiments conveyed in the following
passages and dubiousncss, which, were
il not that necessity comes 10 our aid as a
circumstance that pfeponderates in favor
OF the abandonment of the right of ses.rch
we might well be apprchcns:.ye OF The
course intended to be pprsued ~ England
In regard 10 Russian Property Mr.. AID.
dington, in behalfof ,nc lsalI Of Clarendon
says; $50
itsoch property, if shipped at neutral
risk, or after il has become bona tide neu.
trail property, will net be !ieble to conaeaa-
nation, whateyer may be lis destination. y
And again -fs
SIT il should still! remain enemys prop
city, notwithstanding il is shipped from a
neutral port and in neutral ship, it will
Be condemned, whatever may be its DIES.
tinaton"
Lord Clarendon further observes, atha.
circumstances of reasonable suspicion vii
justify capture, although release, and moi
condemnation, may follow
What will be considered circumstance,
Of reasonable suspicion by England Is
not known. Certain it is that the polics
here foreshadov cd differs not ffo.a tina
pursued IN 1872. Our commerce woue
suffer as much by the seizure and de,en.
ton of our vessels as from Tie coniiscatiof
Of the cargo. We desire that the cargo
shall be protected by the flag Of cur conn
try, and that wherever the stars ant
stripes may float III the breeze, there The
property of our commercial adventures
shall be secure from the curious prying and
unlawful seizure Of every aid all nations
But, as if to modify this declaration
Of Lord Clarendoas's. the Queen. in hei
declaration, which is dated three day.
later than Clarendon's reply to the Rus
!, sian leputation Of Merchants, has the fol
low ing, which would seem to neutraliz.
in part, for the present, the policy ndca
ted in the above quotations:
Her Majesty WI waive her right o
seizing an eneniy's property taken on
board neutral vessel, unless 1t be contra
band of war.
Ii is not Her Majesty's intention &
claim the coniiscation of neutr4i property
not being consrabend of war, found Oh
board enemy ships.
! And Her Majesty further declares tat,
being anxious to lessen as much as posi-
bic the evils OF. war, and restrict its 'epe-
rations TO the regularly organized forces
of The country, il is not her present inten-
ton 10 issue letters of marque for the com
missioning Of privateers.
The articles ''contraband Of war" are,
we presume laid down in the laws of ma
ton aud there WILL il this declaration
By paramount to Lord Clareidon's, be no
difficulty arising from the confseaiion of
Legitimate cargo. But this announcement
carries on its face declaration Of principle
against which This country has ever pro-
Itested--against which she has fought, and
will continue to fght-the rigM Of search
lin order that the English lieutenant or
admiral may be convinced that our vessels
hsve not, as-eafgo, IN trhs contraband Of
war. We want acknowledge by raFEi&s
ment the principle thal free sLlps max Z