Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1856-12-11

speedy settlement of local die ltos out
Of that Intercourse have not yet bssn attended with
any results.
Soon after the commencement Of the late in
Europe this Government submitted to the consider
alton Of oil maritime nations two principles for the
security ofneutrai commerce: one, that the neutral
flag should cover enemies goods, except articles con.
trsband of war; and the other that neutral property
board merchant vessels Of belligssnts should be
exempt from cendemna ion, with the exception Of
contraband articles. These were presented al
new rules of information law, having been gener
ally claimed by neutrals, though not always admit
ted by belligsrsnts One Of the parties to the war
Russia, well several neutral powers. promptly
aceeded TO these propositions and two other bellg
ersn:s, Great Britain and France. having consented
to observe them for the present sasion favorable
opportunity seemed to be presented fer obtaining
general recognition OF them both in Europe ana
America
But Great Britain and France in common with mosi
OF the States OF Europe while forbearin. TO reject did
net efrlnaiyely act upon the osertures of the Uni
ted States. While the question was in this position
the reprcser aves of Russia, France, Great Britain
Austria, Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey assembled a
Paris, took int consideration the subject of martini,
rights, and put forth declaration containing the
two principles which this govern had subinitte
nearly tive years before 10 the consideration of mar
thine powers, and added thereto the following prop
estons: Privatssring is and remains abolished ant
blockades in order TO bs binding must be effective
that - to say, maintained by force sufficient really
to prevent access TO the coast Of the enemy and
the declaration thus composed OF four points two o.
which had already been proposed by the United
States this Government has been invited to acced,
by all the Powers represented al Paris except Grsa
Britain and Turkey. Te the last of the two additisn
al propositions, that in relation TO blockadcs there
can certainly be no objection.
1t Is merely the definition of what shall constitute
the esctual inv estmsnt OF bloc kaded pace-a def
milton for which this government has always con
tended, claiming indemnity for loses where practi
cal violation of the rule thus defined has been inu
rious to our commerce As to the remaining article
OF the declaration of the convention of Paris--tha
lpEiyateering is and remain abolishsd-I certainl,
cannot ascribe to the powers represents ed in the Con
terence OF Paris, any but liberal and philanthropiS
views in the attempt 10 change the unquestionabls
rule OF maritime law in regard to privateerinr -
Their proposition was doubtless intended TO iu1pl,
approval OF the principle that private property upsr
tho ocean, although II may belong to citizens of q
bellgcrent State. should be exempted from capture
aud had that proposition been framed as to give
full effect to hs principle, it onld have rsceive ed
my ready assent ON behalf OF the United States but
the measure proposed is inadequate to that purpose
II 10 true, ii adopted. private property upon the
ocean would be Withdrawn from one mode Of plum
der, bat lett exposed, meanwhile to another mode
which could lie used with increased effectiveness
The aggressive capaci' of great naval powers woud
be thereby augmented while The defensive nbility
1 of others would be reduced. Though the surrender
OF the means of prosecuting hostilites by employing
priyatsers as proposed by tho conference of Paris
IL mutual IN terms, yet in practical effect it would
DO the REIMBURSEMENT of right of little value to one
class of States but of essential Importance to another
| and far larger class
Ii ought not to have been anticipated that meas.
re SO inadequate to the accomplishment Of the pro
posed object and so unequal in its operation would
receive the assent of all maritime powers. Private
property would still be left to the of the
pubic armed cruisers. have expressed a readiness
on The part OF this Government TO aeceds to all the
principles contained in the declaration of conference
OF Paris, provided that relating the abandonment
OF pr watering, can be 50 amended to effect
the object for which rs is presumed it wa.
u fV fha
from hostile capture TO effect this sbiect il ia pro
posed to add to he declaration that priv is
and remains abolished, the following amendment: -
And that the private property Of subjects and cit
Gems of bcllige eu OH the high seas shall be exennt
from seizure by the public armed vessels of the 9th
or beliigersnt, except it be contraband."
ms amendment has been presented, not only to
the Powers which have asked our assent to the de.
claraon to abolish prvataering but to all the other
maritime States Thus far it has not been rejected
by any and is tavCrably entertained by all which
nave made any communication in reply. Several OF
the governments, regarding with favor the proposi-
ton Of the United States have DELAYED dstsite nc
ton upon it, only for the purpose of tipg with
others, parties to the Conference of Paris have
the satisfaction Of stating however, that the Epe
ror OF Russia las explicitly apprsve of the modifi-
cation, and viii cooperate in sRdsavoring to obtain
tho assent OF other powers and that assurances of
similar purpor have been received in relation to the
disposition Of the Emperor of the French The pres
OFT OF this important subject allows us to cher
lsh the hope that principle humane in its ehur-
acter just and equal in its operations so essential
to tie prosperity Of commercial nations and SO con-
sonant TO the sentiments of this enlightened period
of the world, will command the appreciation OF all
maritime powers, and thus be Incorporated into the
code OF international laws.
My views on the subject are more fully sot forth
IN the reply of the Secretary of the State COW of
which Is herewith transmitted, to the conmuaica.
tlon on the subject made TO this government sspe-
c'ally to the communication of France.
:. The government of the United States has at all
Snas regarded with friendly interest the other ca
of America, formerly Ike this country Europeau
solonies and now Independent members Of the great
family OF nations. But the unsettled condition OF
some of them, distracted by frequent revolutions
and thus incapable of regular and firm internal sd
minlstrsiion, has attended to snbarass occasionally
our public intercourse by OF wrongs which our
ehlzehs suner az their hands, and which they are
slow to redress.
Unfortunately, it is against tho Republic Of Mex
60, with which it is special desire to maintain
good understanding, that such complaints are most
numerous and al'ho earnestly urged upon it's atten
ton they have not as yet received the consideration
which this government had right TO expect While
for past injuries has been withheld 9th
srs have been added The poticsl condition Of that
country, however, has been such ~ TO demand for
bsarance on the part of tue United States shall |
continue my efforts TO procure for the wrongs of our
citizens that redress which is indispensable to tho
continued frendly association of the two Republics
The peculiar coBdtien of affairs in Nicaragua in |
the early part Of the present year rendered it i'm
portant that this Government should have dipom- |
attic relations with that State Through its territory
had bee opened one OF the principal thoroughfares
across the Isthmus-cOnnecting North and South |
America; on which vast amount Of property was
transported, and 10 which our citizens resurted in |
great numbers ia passing between the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts of the United States. The protection
OF ootn required that the existing power IN that
State should be regarded as responsible govern
meut, and its Minister accordingly received,
but he remained only short time Soon there
after the political affairs of Nicaragua underwent
q md
uncertainty and confusion. Diplomatic represent
atlves from two cortending parties have been
recently sent TO this Government but with tho i'm
perfect information Possessed, it not possible
uscide which was The Government dc faets, and n
waiting further Developments | have refused to
receive either.
Questions of a serious nature are pending between
the tnltedStates and the republic of New Grenada
The government of that Republic under toek, A
year since, to impose tonnage duties foreign yes
sells IN her ports, but the purpose Was resisted by
this government, as being contrary TO existing treaty
With tho United States and to rights
orierred by charter upon the Panama Railroad
company, aad was rclinquished at that time, it
being adm. ed that vessels entitled to DO
exeiapt fro 4 tonnage duty in the free ports of Pa
mama and Aspinwell but the purpose has been
'eesntly revived on the part of New Granada by
he enactment of a law to subject vessels visiting
lsr ports to tonnage duty OF 40 cents per ton and
although the law has not been put in force yet the
light enforce il is still asserted and may at any
me, be acted on by the government of that Repub-
ic,-1he Congress of New Granada has also enact
ID during the past year, law which levies a tax
II more than three dsllars every pound Of mail
matter transported across the Isthmus The sum
hus required 10 be paid the mails of the United
states would be nearly 1000, 600 dollars annually
Il addition TO the large cum payable by contract to
lie Panama Railroad Company. 1t the only OBJ
ection TO this exaction was the cxorbitancy of the
mount, it could not be submitted 10 by the United
states. The imposition CT it, however, would OBJ
'ieusly eontraveas our treaty With New Granada,
md isfrsgs the contract of that Republic with the
,anama r. X Co.
The law providing for this tax, was, by its terms,
o take effect the first of September last the
Deal Authorities in the IsthmRs have boon induced
suspend its execution, to await further instract
ns Oh the subject from the government of the Re
luble; | am not vet advised of the determination
# that governments. If that measure, so extrsordi-
larry il it's character, and clearly contrary TO