Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-04-20
WAR WITH SPAIN.

ances of Spanish cruisers. Commodore Mucauley hus
been ordered to hoist his broad pcnnunt on board the
San Jacn;o, and 10 proceed forthwith to the Cuban
coast. He has been preceded by the Jamestown,
suddenly detached from the African Squadron, and is
soon TO be followed by the Cyane, Saratoga Snsque-
hanna and other vessels. There sccms to bc 10 doubt
that we shall soon have formidable force Oh the
| coast oI Cuba. We are not accurately informed aS
to the conduct of the Spanish cruisers complained of
by our citlzus but after duo allowance for exaGgera-
tion and fasehood it may safely be assumed that they
are OBTAINING and visiting our merchant vessels en-
gagged III the prosecution of lawful voyages Oh the
high seas Neither do we know what Instructions
have been given to Commodore Macauley, but judg-
ing from the principles heretofore maintained by our
Government we infer that he is ordered 10 resist such
visitation or search.
The chances, therefore, of collision, bloo,scd ard
war, sre by 10 means inconsiderable. They are
greatly increased by circumstances. The scene OF
operations is n strait thronGed with our nier'
chantmen, and soon to be crowded by sem-h"stie
squadrons bent on the conflicting duties OF annoy
ance and protection. Great prudence on both sId's'
will be necessary to avoid collision The hrsf gun
fired will slip the dogs of war, and thon long i"re-
well to peace, plenty and prosperity In their Steaa'
we shall confront grim-visagcd war with It's woes nn
numbered. In such cause, let them come. q s'ahu
for the freedom of the seas In our youth we o"5hl
England on her favore right of search and we sh"''
not quail before Spain i'll our manhood
Neither will we endure quibbing distinctions be-
tween the right of search and the right OF Visaoh'
Such Il distinction has been taken OF late years oy
British Liplomatiss. and il may b0 that Span HOW
rcsts upon it. II we understand the doctrine correct
y it admits that the vessel. {" one power cannot be
searched by the cruiser of another, if the nationality
of the merchant vessel and her lawful character 10"
known but it atirms that, for the purpose "tveryhg
her papers and ascertanns her nation and ch"r"c'e'
sho may be detained and visited.
In support of this doctrine s argued that, without
the right Of visitation, the police OF the s seas cum
not be maintained, nor the law of nations enforced
that pirates will taS ii II protects them IRON
examination and that it will, like charity, cover
multitude of sins-that all nations have right TO
enforce the law of nations, and consequently have
rrh TO visit each Others vessels for the purpose Ot
arresing and furnishing tho violators Of that lnw-
that under all well regulated systems Of municipal
! Jurisprudence innocent men must sometimes suffer
suit of criminals and tina; under the law OF nations,
innocent vessels must in like manner, suffer detention
and examination from ships Of war; who are the po'
licemen of the ocean, and the officers appointed to
execute the law Of nations.
| In answer to ull this, it may be said, we think
conclusivcy, that TO permit the cruisers of another
nation to detan and visit at pleasure merchant
vessels. would be to subject citizens 10 the eyer
else of power BY Foreigners on the high seas not
granted to own government i'll own territory.
No well regulated system Of municipal uris
prudence if it he friendly to lbcry, permits any thing
analogous to the right OF visitation. No innocent
mun can be arrested until foundation for hi. arrest
is laid by proof lnt crime has been committed and
that there reason TO suspec; him OF being the Crmi
nal whereas, the cruiser and examines the
chairman without complaint OF an offence against the
law OF nations, ground of suspicion against her
crew. Such n proceeding is analogous to the
tyrannical practice OF issuing general warrants TO
arrest unknown persons and to search undescribed
places whereby everything is left to the discretion al
the officer General warrants having been abol-
ished BY tho United States, England and probably ali
other nations pretending to freedom. il il mnnstrous
to engraf their principle upon the law Of naticns.-
| The Jurisdiction of nation over her vessels on
the high so.s with certain exceptions is ~ exclusive
her jurisdiction her own territory, aud all in
vasion Of 10 bad Invasion of the other
These exceptions arc well ascertaincd and do not
embrace the right of search or visitation. The in
convenience. attending remuneration Of the right of
visitation less than those incident to lie assertion
Where it is important TO ascertain the character
of vessel it may generally be done without visitation
detention, and i'll exceptional cases where such vis
itation is necessary, indemnity should be made to all
lawful traders.
Such take to be the doctrine heretofore main
tanned By our Government; Gid tho nation, we think
will stand by il. The madness OF party may indeed
lead some to enounce President Pierce for his uppa-
| rcnt determination to resist the visits of Spanish
cruisers, but the Of the nation will applaud him
forit. If his instructions to Commodore Macu,slay
fall short of this then are slaves on tie nigh seas
although free nj home.
On such .;roYndO VIC are willing TO fight the Span
lard and his hackers till the crack Of doom.