Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-06-02
Gbe polpuesian.
REPORT
Of the Minister Of Foreign Relations con-
tinued from No. of 26tk May.

/ SEvENTEENTH.-I would respectfully, request
your attention to the treaty with the kingdoms of
Sweden and Norway, negotiated between Captain
Virgin and me on the first July, 1882 and ratified
by the King, the 5th of this month. 1t is ideH-
tlca with the British treaty, except in article l5
which in the Swedish, provides for the interposi-
ton In certain cases, of vast Importance TO the Ha-
waiian sovereignty, of the good Offices of his Maj
esty King Oscar. | have no doubt; if proper oc-
casion should ever occur, and time opportune, his
Swedish Majesty will Zealousy do, IN favor of the
Hawaiian sovereign, all that that article implies
! We are yet, but weak people, and where
strength is wanting, let us secure friends and pur-
sue such course as to recommend ourselves to
their sympathies by the most scrupulous ad
herence TO good faith, to justice and a course
of conduct towards all foreign nations, equal,
courteous and impartial. Hitherto we have
had no commerce with Sweden or Norway, but the
time may come, when many of their ships NAV
visit US every year. Excellent iron, wood, deals
tar, and glass are among their exports and they
import largely, sugar, coffee, rice, salt, oil, Sc
In lS4l, the official value of Swedish exports to
all countries bancO-rix dollars, S22, ,S27 360
and of imports, S20,662,790 This does not in
clude the imports and exports of the kingdom of
Norway.
append cory Of Swedish treaty. marked No.
50.
EIGHTEENTH-T.et me call your attention to the
DECLARATIONS of the Kings adhesion to certain
principles and rules relating to the rights of neu-
trails, during war, to which his Majesty was invited,
by the Honorable David L. Gregg, Commissioner
of the United States, in the name of his govern
ment. That declaration is not treaty, but pre-
llmlnary to treaty, convention, to be framed
hereafter. Every thing which tends to secure uni
verSal respect to the Kings neutrality, when wars
rage between the hostile fleets of other nations, in
this ocean, Is of vital importance TO this nation for
the Kings sovereignty would be of little value
were that neutrality not respected You will OBJ
serve that the present King adopts the neutral pol
ICY of his predecessor, hose prompt proclamation
of neutrality and against privateeriug, the 10th
May, 1854, followed up by the resolutions of the
Privy Council of the 18th June, and 18th July,
gained for his late Majesty much credit abroad
| append copy of the declaration marked No GO.
The principles and rules defining the rights of
neutrals, as recommended by the United States
government do not conflict with the British decla-
ration and order in Council, and the declaration of
the Emperor of France, of which append copies,
marked Nos. 6l, 62, and 63, hor do they, in any
way, infringe the strict neutrality proclaimed BY
The late King; although in regard to the prohibl-
ton of privateering they fail in coming up to the
humane policy of his late Majesty.
| always considered that to gain the consent of
powerful maritime nations, when engaged in war
among themselves, to respect our neutrality, was
the eliminating point of the full acknowledgements
of the Kings sovereignty. That important point
consider has been gained and with it, the moral
certainty, that when the mighty nations of the
earth respect the Kings rights and treat the IIa-
waiian sovereign with the high honnrs rendered 10
the late King, last summer, by the combined fleets
of Great Britain and France, all fllibusters, free
hooters, marine rovers, and land pirates, will be
compelled to respect those rights, ,rheter they ,CiH
or not. IL was not without the most positive as
III that respect, (snce happily confnned,)
that the late King issued his proclamation of the
Sth Of December, which stands No. IN the appen-
dix to this report.
The great Republic founded by the immortal
Washington, never can forget the sound moral
principles which he inculcated if private indivd-
uals forget them, let them take warning from the
following proclamation issued by the President of
the United States, on the 18th January last
"Whereas, information has been received by me
that an unlawful expedition has been fitted out IN
the State of California with view to invade lex
leo, nation maintaining friendly relations with the
United States, and that other expeditions are or
ganizins within the United States for the same un-
la ~ful purpose and whereas, certain citizens and
inhabitants of this country, unnIndiul of their OBJ
legations and duties and of the rights of friendly
power, have participated, and about to partcI-
pate in these enterprises so derogatory to ma
tional character, and threatening to tranquil
ity, and thereby mourning the severe penalties
imposed by law against such offenders.
'Now, therefore, !, Franklin Pierce, President
of the United States, have issued this my procla-
nation, warning all persons who shall connect
themselves with any such enterprise or expedition
that the penalties of the law denounced against
such criminal conduct will be rigidly enforced.
'And exhort all good citizens, as they regard
our national ch4racter-as they respect our laws
or the laws of nations-as they value the blessings
of peace and the welfare of the conntry-to dis
countenance, and by all lawful means to prevent
such criminal enterprises. And / call upon all Of
fcers of this government, civil and military to use
any efforts which may be in their power TO arrest
for trial and punishment, every such offender.
"Given under my hand and the seal of the Unit
ed States, at Washington, this eighteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and fifty four, and the seventy-eighth
year of the independence of the United States.
(Signed,) FRANKLIN PIERCE.
'iBy the President,
(Signed,) VIM L. MARCY,
Secretary of State.
Cornelius Van BynkerShOeck in his treatise on the
law of war, chap. XVII, on pirates says,-"We /
call pirates and plunderers (predones) those who
without the authorization of any sovereign, commit
depredations by sea or land" Hawkins, p. c. 26S,
says pirate at the common law, Is person who
commits any of those acts of robbery and depre |
dations on the nigh seas, which, if committed at
land, would have amounted to felony. On the |
same principle, the law in the United States de-
fines piracy In general the commission at sea, or IN
river, haven, basin, bay, out of the jurisdiction
of any particular state, of murder, robbery, any
other offense, which if committed within the body
of country, would by the law of the United
States, be punishable with death. As pirate has
been defined one who to enrich himself, either by
surprise open force sets upon merchants or 9TH
ers trading by sea, to spoil them of their goods
treasure so land robber land pirate, plundering
felon, or whatever name may be given him, may
be defined, man who neither regarding the laws
of God or man, to enrich himself, by surprise, or
open force, makes war on private account, seizes