The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-18
For the Democrat.
Explorations of the Navy.

The explorations of the Water. With up tn
territories Of three distinct governments in SoutI
America, causes some strange suspicious of impro
priety upon our side By what authority are
these surveys Of distant rivers undertaken? Sup
pose the French or Russian government shoulc
undertake the survey Of the common boundry be-
tween Mexico and the United States, Grea
Britain and The United States, and officer com.
handing one of our ports, on the frontier, seeing
foreign flag on the territory Of the United States,
Should enquire her character. interpose with her
occupation by regularly printed or written notice
OF oblections, in the English language, what would
be the result of the French or Russian comman-
der should be send back the notice and attemp. 10
go on in defiance contrary TO law, because he
could not understand US?
If our government sends national vessels to
survey foreign rivers, the officers should under
stand the language of the strange country, or in.
terpreters should be furnished for information, as
well as give powder for offence or defence
Lieut.. Thos. J. Page in letter from Buenos
Ayres, dated 18th Feb'y, 1855. published in the
New York Erenimg Post, and copied in The In
teigencer, considers it no reasonable objection by
Paraguay, because {" he had been invited by the
Argentine government and especially by the pro-
vince OF Corrienfes, bordering State !'
He regrets he cannot procure 81 FOUNDERS to
return and wage war against Paraguay. The
whole temper of his letter to a friend, most njudi-
cously published, proves him offensive to the
fOrp
making aggressive explorations interference
with which he calls "IyranicaI and insuIting."
What, we ask again. are our public vessels en-
ployed about on the upper waters Of these South
American rivers! Are they looking cut fos mines
and minerals, diamonds or dye wood, or is there
some prigate speculation founded upon appointed
public service Every one knows the caution
necessary by every nation, which holds within its
territory pliabe tribes OF savages ready for nov.
city and easily led by strangers. The existence
of such population augurs 10 be quite sufficient
excuse, to US, that South American inland gov.
ernments have laws to control their coasting trade
II naval officers are permitted to force their way
by certain home stations, which are usually ports,
without regard to foreign laws, what right have
We W anticipate respect laws, by strangers
who come among usl
There is hint thrown out, like tub to a whale,
that the English looking for cotton lands in the
Great Moxo country. We very much fear some
OF our speculative characters are looking out for
less praise worthy.
We have no business, as a nation, to intrude
upon The peculiar institutions of our neighbors,
" no have the right to be as jealous as we need to
be about our own. We delight to see our military
and naval officers employed in civil duties, at
home and abroad, but they must be checked in
-'~-- -"or'" aCt or aggression otnerWIse we
shall have no neighbors who can trus, US to do
hem service without fearing some violence to
heir rights-heir laws or their customs.
Our countrymen have rambling dispositions
Iu"e sufficient, without any stimulus from our
departments. FAIR PLAY
May 10, 1858.