Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-11

tons; and the two other principal bellig 2
ents, Great Britain and France, having con
sented to observe them for the present occa
sion, favorable opportunity seemed to b
presented for obtaining general recognition
of them both in Europe and America
But Great Britain and France in common
with most of the states of Europe, while
, forbesring to reject, did not afirmatvely acr
upon the overtures OF the United States
While the question was in this position
the Representatives of Russia, France, Greal
} Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia and Tur.
key, assembled at Paris, took into consider
alton the subject of maritime rights, and put
forth declaration containing the two prin.
ciples which this government had submitted
! nearly two years before to the consideration
| of maritime powers, and adding thereto The
t following proposition :
: Privateering is and remains abolished p
and Blockades, in order to be binding, mus
/, be effective, that is to say, maintained by a
force, sufficient really, to prevent access tc
the coast of the enemy;" and to the declara.
ton thus composed of four points, two o
which had already been proposed by the
United States, this government has been in.
vited to accede by all the powers represent.
ed at Paris, except Great Britain and Tur-
key. To the last of the two additional prop
osilions-that in relation to blockades-there
can certainly be no objection. 1t is merely
the definition of what shall constitute the
effectual investment of a blockaded place. a
definition for which this government has al
ways contended, claiming indemnity for
losses where practical violation of the rule
thus defined has been injurious to our CON-
merce. As to the remaining article OF the dec
laration of the conference of Paris, I" that
/ privateering is and remains abolished" ,"-I
certainly cannot ascribe to the powers repre-
sented in the conference of Paris, any but
} liberal and philathrophic views in the at
tempt to change the unqueStionabe rule OF
maritime law in regard to privateering. Their
proposition was doubtless intended to imply
approval of the principle that private prop
erty upon the ocean, although it might be
long to the citizens of belligerent State,
should be exempt from capture; and had the
proposition been so framed as to give full
effect to the principle, it would have receiv-
ed my ready assent on behalf of the United
States. But the measure proposed is inade-
quate to that purpose. 1t is true, that if
adopted, private property upon the ocean
would be Withdrawn from one mode of plum
der, but left exposed, meanwhile, to anotber
mode, which could be used with increase Z
effectiveness. The aggressive capacity oi
gre at naval powers would be thereby aug
mented, while the defensive ability of Others
would be reduced. Though the surrender
of the means of prosecuting hostilities by
employing privateers, as proposed by the
conference of Paris, is mutual In terms, yet
in practical effect. it would be the relin-
quishment of right of little value to one
class of States, but of essential Importance to
another and a tar larger class. Ii onght not
to have been anticipated that measure, so
inadequate to the accomplishment ofthe pro-
posed object and so unequal In its operation,
would receive the assent OF all maritime
powers. Private property would be still left
to the depredations of the public armed
cruisers.
| have expressed readinss on the part OF
this government, to accede 10 all the princi-
piles contsined in the declaration of the con-
ference of Paris, provided that relating to
the abandonment of privateering can be SO
amended as to effect the object for which, as
is presumed, it was intended, the immunity
of private property on the ocean from hostile
capture. To effect this object, it is proposed
to add to the declaration that ''privateering
!, it and remains abolished" the following
amendment: "And that the private property
} Of subjects and citizens of belligerent on
: the high seas, shall be exempt from seizure
by the public armed vessels of the other bel
ligerent except it be contraband." This
amendment has been presented not only to
the powers which have asked our dissent to
, the declaration to abolish privateering, but
, to all other maritime States. Thus far it has
not been rejected by any, and is favorably
: entertained by all which have made any
communication in reply.
, Several of the governments, regarding
with favor the proposition of the United
t States, have delayed definite action upon it
only for the purpose of consulting with
{ Others, parties to the conference of Paris.
, have the satisfaction of stating, however
that the Emperor of Russia has entirely anC
T explicitly approved of that modification, anC
, will CO operate in endeavoring to obtain tn,
D assent of other powers; and that assurance
| of a similar purport have been received il
} relation to the disposition of the Emperor o
the French.
The present aspect of this important sub
, joct allows us to cherish the hope that
81
and equal in its operation, so essential to th'
e prosperity of commercial nations, and 81
) consonant 70 the sentiments of this enlight
ened period of the world, will command th
{ appreciation of all maritime powers, an'
thus be incorporated into the code OF inter
E national law.
, My views on the subject are more full.
: set forth in the reply Of the Secretary o
I State, a copy of which is herewith trans
= mitted, to the communications on the su6jec
Q made to this government, especially to th
$ communication of France.
0 The government of the United States ha
g at all times regarded with friendly intere:
: the other States of America, formerly, hk
: this country, Europerian colonies, and no.
b independent members Of the great family {
a nations. But the unsettled condition of som
: of them, distracted by frequent revolutions
!, and thus incapable of regular and firm intel
b nal administration, has tended to embarra:
y occasionally our public intercourse, by re'
q son of wrongs which our citizens suffer
s their hands, and which they are slow 70 r,
e dress.
t Unfortunately, it is against the Republic
: Mexico with which it is our special desir
5, to maintain good understanding, thatsuc
1t complaints are most numerous; and althoug
is earnestly urged upon its attention, they haS
! lot as yet received the consideration whic
'f this government had a right to expect
/ While reparation for past injuries has bee
h withheld, others have been added. The p'
d litical condition of that country, however, HI
been such as to demand forbearance on II
n part of the United States. / shall continr
/ my efforts to procure for the wrongs of oI
citizens that redress which is indispensable
e the continued friendly association Of the tv
h republics.
5, The peculiar condition of affairs in Mica
1t aqua in the early part of the present yes
+ rendered it important that this governme
y should have diplomatic relations with tn
State. Through its territory bad been open.