Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-01-02

! inht iubef ftEhts t'tuptth'h''a ~ -,
teotorship of the Mosquito Indians. the extended
jurisdiction and limits OF the Balize. md the col
ony Of the Bay Islands. and thereupon proceeds
by implication TO infer, that, ifibe stipulafions 81
the treaty be merely future in their effect. Great
Britain my still continue TO hold the contested
portions Of Central America. The United States
caunot admit either the inference. or the premi.
SIS. We steadily DENY. that at the treaty, Great
Britain bad any possession there. other than
the limited and peculiar establishment at tho
Balize. aud maintain that, If she had any. they
were surrendered by the convention.
This government recognizing the Obligations
of the treaty, has Of course desired 10 see II exc.
outed in good faith by both parties. and III the
discussion therefore, has not looked TO nights
which We might assert, independently OF the
treaty. in consideration ofour geographical pc
sifion of other circumstances. which oreaie Tor
u relations 10 the Central American States, dit-
fcrcnt from those Of any government OF Europe.
The British Government, IN its last commnnl-
cation. although well knowing the views Of the
United States. still declares that it sees no rea-
son why a conciiatory-spirit may not enable tho
two Governments 10 overcome all obstacles IN Il
satisfactory adjustment of the subject.
Assured ufthe correctness OF the construc.
ton of the treaty constantly adhered to by this
Governments. and resolved to insists on the rights
Of the United States, yet actuatrd also by the
same desire, which j. hvowed by the British Gov
ernment. Ia remove all causes OF serious tnisuIi-
dersiandlng between two nations associated by
So many ties Of interest aud kindred, ii has ap-
Feared to me proper not to consider an amicable
solution of tn controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason 10 apprehend that,
with Greut Britain in the actual occupation OF the
disputed territories. and the treaty therefore
practically null, So far as regards our rights, this
international difficulty cannot long remain unde-
iermined. without involving in serious danger
the friendly relations, which it is in the interest
o. well as the duty Of both countries TO cherish
and preserve. 1t will afford me sincere gratih-
cation. if future efforts shall result in the success
anticipated heretofore with more confidence than
the aspect of the case permits me now to en- ter
tain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject Of discussion between the
United States aud Great BRITAIN has grown out
Of the attempt, which the eXigencies OF the war,
in which she is engaged with Russia. induced
her to make. TO draw recruits from the United
States.
II il the iraditinnrl aud settled policy of the
United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars. which from time to time occur
nfnong the great powers 81 the world. Perform
ing all the duties Of neutrality towards the res
receive belliepreut States. we may reasonably
expect them not interfere with our lawful enjoy
ment OF it- benefits. Notwithstanding the eNiss
tence of such hostilitieS. our citizens retain the
individual right 10 continue all their accustomed
pursuits, by hand ar hy sea, at nome or abroad.
subject only to such restrictions IN this relation.
"a the law. of war, the usag" OF nations, OF spe-
cinl treaties, may ilnlose; and it is our sovereign
right that our territory aud jurisdiction siall not
be- invaded by either Of the belligerent parties,
for the transit of their armies, the operations of
their fleets, the levy al troops, for their ser yioe.
the fitting ont of cruisers by or against either, or
any other ut of incident war, And these undo
ninble rights of neutrality, individual aud nation
al, the United States will under no circumstances
surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws of the L
nitod States do not forbid their citizens to sell
to either of the beIligerent powers, articles, con
traband of war, or to take munitions of war or
soldiers on board their private ships for
private ships for transportation; aud although, in
So doing, the individual citizen eNposes his prop.
ertv or person 10 GONE of the hazards of war. his
aets do not involve any breach of national nen-
trinity. nor of themselves i~mplicato the govern
ment. Thus, during the progress of the pre- cent
war in Europe, our citizens have. without nation.
al responsibility therefor, sold gunpowder and
arm 10 all buyers, regardless of the destination
of those articles our merchantmen have been,
and still continue 10 po, largely employed by
Great Britain x by Fance in transporting troop
provisions and munitions oi war to the prineipa
seat Of military operations, and III bringing then
sick aud wounded soldiers; but such use of oui
mercantile marine is not interdicted either b,
the international or by our municipal law, nm
therefore does not cumpromlt our neutral rela
ton with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with tht
law of nations. peremptorily forbids, not enl,
foreigners, but oar citizens, To- fit out, within III,
limits of the United States, n vessel Ia COMM
hos,ilities against any state with which the Uni
ted States ure ut peace, or to increase the force
of any foreign armed vessel intended Cor suel
hostilities against "A friendly Stute.
Whatever concern may Lave been felt by eithe
of the belligcrent powers lest private arne,
cruisers, or other We ssrls, in the service of one
might be fitted out in the ports of this country I
depredate on the property OF the other. all sue
fears have proved To he utterly groundless. Gu
citizens have been withheld from any such act
purpose by good faith, and by respect for tn
law.
While the laws ct the Union nrc thus peremp
tory in their prohibition of the equipment @
arma ment of belli -crcnt cruisers in our port,
they provide not less absolutely that no perso
shall, within the territory or jurisdiction of III
United States, enlist or enter himself or hir
or retain another person to enlist or cnte
himself or to go beyond the limits or jurisdietio
Of the Unitod States with intent to be enlisted q
entered. in the service of any foreign State, eth
or as Il soldier or ms a marine or seaman on boar
of any essel-of-war letter Of marque, or pri
vateer. And these enactments are also in strie
conformity with the law of nations. which dc
clares. that no State has the right to raise f.
land or sea service in another State without il
consent, and that whether forbidden by the mu
nicipal law or not, the very attempt to do il
without such consent, is an attack ON the nation
al sovereignty.
Such being the public rights and the munic,
pal law of the United States, no srlicitude ON Il
subject was entertained by this government
when, Il year since, the British Parliamen
passed an act 10 provide for the enlistment G