Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-14

Oh Inc FreQCn TcNOlUIIOB, tdA1cQ W Dt Ic
spected among the belligerent states Of Eu
rope. Notwithstanding this the principle i
admitted to be a sound and salutary one; s.
much so that at the commencement OF the ex
isting war IN Europe, Crest Britain and Franc,
announced their purpose to observe 1t for tn
present, NOT, however, as recognized interna
ti0nal right, but as more concession for thi
time being. The cooperation, however, o
these two powerful maritime nations IN the in
terests Of neutral rights appeared to me to af
ford an occasion. inviting and Jusufylng Oh
the part of the United States, a renewed effor
to make the doctrine in question principle o
International law, by means Of special eonven
tions between the several powers Of Europ'
and America. Accordingly proposition, EN-
bracing not only the rule, that free ships mak'
free goods, except contraband articles, but as
the less contested one that neutral property
other than contraband, though on board
enemy's ships, shall be exempt from confsca
ton, has been submitted by this government
to those Of Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter, and a
convention was concluded, between that coun-
try and the United States, providing for the
observance of the principles announced, not
only as between themselves, but also between
them.and all other nations, which shall enter
into ike stipulations. None Of the other pow
ers have as vet taken final action on the sub
ject. l am not aware, however, that any OBJ
lection to the proposed stipulatiOns has been
made; but, on the contrary, they are acknowl-
edged 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 encnmbered- by inadmissible
conditions.
The King Of the Two Sicilies has expressed
to our minister at Naples his readiness to con-
cur in our proposition relative to neutral rights
and to enter into convention on that 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-
wiling for the remuneration of privateerings-
Such an article, for most obvious reasons, is
much desired by nations having naval estab-
lishments, large in proportion u their foreign
commerce. If it were adopted as an interna-
tioual rule, the commerce of nation having
comparatively a small naval force, would be
very much at the mercy of its enemy, in case
Of war with power of decided naval superb
Ority The bare statement of the condition in
which the United States would be placed,
after having surrendered the right to resort to
privateers, in the event Of war with a bel
igerept Of naval supremacy, will show that
this government could never listen to such a
proposition. The navy of the first maritime
power Of Europe is at least ten times as large
as that of the United States. The foreign
commerce of the two'countries is nearly equal,
and about equally exposed to hostile deprada-
tions. In war between that power and the
United States, without resort, on our part, 10
our merchantile marine, the means of our
enemy TO infiict injury ON our commerce, would
4 4 81. 80 nsalsu
could not extricate our country from this un-
equal condition, with such an enemy, unless
we at once departed from our present peaceful
policy, and became great naval power
Though the naval disparity would be less, the
greater extent, and more exposed condition of
our widespread commerce, would give any, of
them like advantage over Us. The Propeki
tion to enter into engagements TO foregO resort
to privateers, in case this country should be
forced into a war with great naval power, is
not entitled to more favorable consideration
than would be a proposition not 10 accept the
services of volunteers for operations on land.
When the honor or rights of our country re-
quire il to assume hostile attitude, it conf
IDENTIFY relies upon the patriotism Of its eiti
zens, not ordinarily devoted to the military
profession, to augment the army and the navy,
so as to make them fully adequate to the emer
gency which calls them into action. The pro-
posal to surrender the right to employ priva-
teers, is professediy founded upon the princi-
pie that the private property of unoffending
non -combatants, though enemies, should be
exempt from the ravages of war; but the pro-
posed surrender goes but little way in carrying
put that principle, which equally requires that
such private property should not be seized or
nOlestcd by national ships of war Should
he leading powers Of Europe concur in propo-
;ing, as rule of international law, TO exempt
private property, upon the ocean, from seiz-
ire by public armed cruisers. as we'll as by
1rivateers, the United States will readily meet
hem upon that broad ground
Sincet the adjournment Of Congress, the rati-
ications. Of the treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, relative to coast fish
,ries, and to reciprocal trade witb..th British
North American provinces, have been ex-
hanged, and some of its anticipated advan-
ages are already enjoyed by us, although its
ull execution was to abide certain acts of leg I
station not yet performed. SO soon as il was
atifed, Great Britain opened to our commerce
he free navigation Of the river ST. Lawrence,
md to our fishermen unmolested access to the |
hores and bays, from which they had been /
previously excluded, oh the coasts Of her
SOrth American provinces; in return for which (
he asked for the introduction, free Of duty, I
nto the ports Of the United States, of the fish |
aught on the same coast by British fishermen. |
This being the compensation, stipulated infhe |
reaty, for privileges of the highest importance I
nd value to the United States, which were 1
hus voluntarily yielded before it became ef |
ective, the request seemed to me to be a rea-
enable one; but it could not be acceded to,
rom want of authority to suspend our laws
IMPOSING duties upon all foreign fish In the
Meantime, the Treasury Department issued
equation, for ascertaining the duties paid or
eeured by bonds on fish caught on the coasts !
{ the British provinces, and brought TO our
markets by British subjects, after the fishing
rounds had been fully accessible to the citi-
ems of the United States. recommend to
our favorable consideration, proposition
rhieh will be submitted to you, for authority
o refund the duties and cancel the bonds thus
eceived The provinces Of Canada and New
brunswick have also anticipated the full opera
ion of the treaty, by Legislative arrangements,
10 admit, free Of duty, the pro
uets Of the United States mentioned In the
rec list Of the treaty; and an arrangement
imilar to that regulating British fish had been
made for duties now chargeable on the pro-
ucts Of those provinces enumerated in, the
anne free list. and introduced therefrofn into
be United States, a proposition for refuDding,;
yhich viii, in my Judgment, be in like manner
ntitled to your favorable consideration
There is difference of opinion be-
ween the United States and Great
Britain, as to the boundary line Of the
territory of Washington, adjoining the
british roceaeeiors or the Pacific which