The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-31

I
Of the world. Performing all the duties Of neutrality
towards the respective begerent states, we may reason
ably expect them not to interfere with our lawful enjoy
ment OF its benefits notwithstanding tho existence OF
such hostes, citizens retain the individual rght 10
continue all the accustomed pursuits by lard or by sea-
home abroad subject only such restrictions IN this
relation, the laws Of The Usage OF nations, or sPe
cia treaties, may iaposs and it is sovereign right
thai territory and jurisdiction shall not be nysded by
either of the begaent parles for the transit % Weir ar
mics the operations Of their fleets the feSy Of troops for
their service the fitting Of cruisers by against either,
any other incidsn, of And these undeni-
able rights Of neutrality, individual and national the Uni
ted states Wi under circumst ances surrender
In pursuance of this policy, the laws 81 ire United
States forbid their czens sc 10 either Of the
belgerent powers articles coi1hand Of war; OF to take
munitions OF scldos board their private ships
for transportation and although doing the individual
citizen exposes his property person 10 some OF the haz
ards Of his do not involve any breach OF national
neutrality, of themselves implcate the government
Thus during the progress of the present var ~ Europe
citizens have without national responsibility therefor
sold gunpowdor and arus 10 all bayers regardess OF the
destination Of hoge articles, Oar merchantmen have
been, and still continue be, largely employed by Great
Britain and BY France in transporting troops, provisions
and munitions Of war 10 TIE principal scat Of military ope
ratons and II bringing home their sick and wounded sol
diera but s,rh Of merceBa marine is not inter
diced either by the internateash or BY our municipal
laws and therefore does rn' comPromt our neutral reia
tions with Russia,
5u our narnirpa law in accordance with the lew of
nations, perenptoy lobid not only Foreigners, but our
own citizens TO fit out within the limits Of the United
States, vessel to eoWrit hostes against amy state
with which the United States at peace or TO increase
the force ct aay foreign armed vessel Intended Tor sch
hostilitfes against friendly state
Whatever may have been tel. by either OF The
hegeent powers lest private armed cruisers, or othe
vessels in the service Of might be fitted out IN the
ports OF this cosnify TO depredate the property Of the
other az such fears have proved TO be utterly groundless
Our citizens have been withheld from any such act pnr
| pose by good filth, and by respec. for the law,
While the Laws OF the ueion are thus peremptoy IN then
prohibition of the equipment armament OF bcligcren
cruisers in eur ports they provide not less absolutely that
person SHALL within the territory jurisdiction OF the
United States enlist enter hmse or hire or retain
another person to enlist enter himself or 10 go beyond
the limits jurisdiction Of the United States with inep
to be enlisted enered In The service Of any foreign state
either soldier or a marine on board OF
any versei-owar letter of marque, priyateer And
these enacuncnts also in strict conformity with the law
of nations which declares that state has the right to
troops for land service in another state with
out its consent and that, whether forbidden by the
ncipal law not the very attempt TO do it, without such
consent, is an attack on the national sovereignty
! Such being the public rights and the municipal law OF
the United States olictutc the subject enter
tanned by this government wcn since, the British
Parliament passed act to provide for the enlistment OF
foreigners in the military servce of Great Britain. Moth
ing the face of tho act in its public history indicated
that the British government proposed TO attempt recruit
ment in the United States did il ever give ntimation
of such intention to this government II was matter OF
SURPRISE therefore, to nd subsequently, that the engage
ment OF persons within the United States to proceed to
Halifax, in the British province Of Nova Scotia and there
enlist in the Of Great Britain was gong extern
svely, with little Disguise. Ordinary legal steps
Immediately taken and punish parties
cerned and put end to acts infringing the municipal
law and derogatory to sovereignty Meanwhile s,a-
BILE representations tho subject were addressed to the
Thereupon it became known, by the admission Of the
British government ITSELF that the attempt To draw recruits
from this country originated with it, or at least had its ap
prevail and sanction but il also appeared that the public
agents engaged in il had "srngent instructions not to
violate the municipal law of the United States
/ 1t is difficult understand how it should have been
supposed that troops could be raised here by Great Brit
ain, without violation of the municipal law. Tho nnms-
taxable object of the law to prevent every such act
which, if performed, must be either in violation Of the
law, in studied evasion of IT, and in either altena
tive, the act done would he alike injurious 10 the
| reignty Of the United Suites.
ia the meant.ne the matter acquired additional inn
pornnca by the recruments in the United States not be-
ing discontinued and the disclosure of the fact that they
were prosecuted upon systematic plan devised by official
auhority that recruiting rendezvous had Been opened in
our principal cities, and depots for the reception Of
cruts established rontcr and the whole business
conducted under the supervision and by the regular
operation Of British officers, civil and military some in
the North American provinces, and in the United
States The completely of those officers undertaking,
which could only be accomplished by deying laws,
throwing suspicion attitude of neutrality and
disregardng territorial rights, is concusvey proved
by the evidence elected the trial of such of their agents
as have been apprehended and convicted. Some IL,
officers thus implicated of high olicia' u 'it
many Of them beyond ursdic'i~~ , po' ii NV
ceedings could moi reach tn" ource Of The mischief
,,,int was no. and the fact, that the of
I aes;or mere casual occurrence but deliberate
a's entered upon with full knowledge of our laws and
ational policy and conducted by responsible public mc-
tionar'es, impeled TO present the to the British
government in order TO secure, not only cessation of the
wrong, but ts separation The subject is still under dis
CUSTOM the result of which will be communicated to you
! in due time.
Irepeat the Recommendation submitted the last Con
gress that provision be made for the appointment of
comrssloner in connexon with Great Britain, survey
Fl and establish the boundary line which divides the Terri
tory Of Washington from the contiguous British posses
SONS. BY of the and Importance of the
country in dispute there has been imminent danger of coll
lsion between the subjects of Great Britain and the ct-
zens OF the United Siaies including their respective
thorities in that quarter The prospect of speedy
rnngement has contributed hitherto induce on both
sides tobcaraneo to by force what each claims
right Continuance OF delay the part Of the two gov
ernmens to act in the matter will the dangers
and difficulties of the controversy
Misunderstanding exists the extent, character and
value Of the possessory rights of the Husons Bay Com
pany and the property of the Puges Sound Agricultural
Company, reserved in treaty with Great Britain rela-
tive 10 the Territory OF Oregon have 10 believe
that cesson of tho rights of both companies to tho United
States which would be the readics of terminating
all Questions, be obtained reasonable and,
with view to this end present the subject to the atten-
4 ton of Congress.
\ Tho colony of Newfoundland having enacted the laws
required by the treaty of the 5th of June, 1884, now
placed the footing in respect to commercial
with the United States, the other British North
4 American provinces,
The commission which that treaty contemplated for de-
tcrmning the rights Of fishery rivers and mouths of
rivers Tho coasts Of the United States and tho British
North American provinces, has been organized and has
commenced its labos TO complete which there is needed
further appropriations for the service of another