Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-12-03

pie that private property upon tho ocean, al
though it might belong to the citizens of bel.
ligerent state, should be exempted from cap
ture; and had that proposition been so framed
as to give full effect to the principle, il would
receive my ready assent on behalf Of the
United States. But the measure proposed is
inadeI oale to THAI purpose. It is true that if
adopted, private property upon the ocean
would be Withdrawn from one mode of plum
der, but lett exposed. mean while, to another
mode, which could be used with increased eff
fectiveness. The aggressive capacity of great
naval powers would be thereby augmented,
while the defensive ability Of others would be
reduced. Though the surrender OF the means
Of prosecuting hostlities by employing priva-
teers, as proposed by the conference Of Paris,
is mutual in terms yet, in practical effect, it
would be the REIMBURSEMENT Of right OF lit
tie value to one class Of States but of essential
importance to another and a far larger class
1t ought not to have been anticipated that a
measure, so inadequate TO the Accomplishment
of the proposed object, and so unequal IN Its
operation would receive the assent OF all
maratime powers. Private property would be
still left to the depredations OF the public
armed cruisers.
have expressed a aalincss on the part Of
this government, to aceedo to all the principles
contained iu the declaration OF the the con-
ference Of Paris, providing that relating to the
abandonment Of privateering can be so amend.
ed as to effect The object for which, as is pre-
suned, it was intended, the immunity Of pri-
waite property on the ocean from hostile cap.
ture. 10 effect this object ii is proposed to
add to the declaration that "privateering is
and remains abolished, the following amend
menr; " And that the private property Of
subjects and citizens of beuigerent on the
hsu sas,, zAaH be exempt from seizure by
the .b.g a,uol vcssf Is Vi l..e U,4o, t,n-
gereHt. except it be coutraband," This
amendment has been presented not only to
the powers which have asked our assent to the
declaration to abolish privateering, but to all
other maritime states. Thus far it has not
been rejected by any, and IS fayoraby enter
tanned by all which have made any communi
cation in reply.
Several Of the governments, regarding with
favor the proposition Of the United States,
have delayed dednitive action upon it only
for the purpose Of consulting with others, par.
ties to the conference OF Paris. have the
Sat sEaciOn oil stating however, that the En-
peroc OF Rusie his entirely and explicitly ap-
proved OF that modification, and will co oper
ate in endeaN oiiag to obtain the assent of
other powers; and that assurances Of a SINH
lar pGrporC have been received in relation to
The present aspect OF this important subject
allows US to cherish the hope thar principle
SO humane in its character, SO just and equal
IN ite operation, so essential to the prosperity
OF commercial nations, and SO Consonant 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 law.
My views on the subject are more fully set
forth in the reply Of the Secretary of State, a
copy of which is herewith ansmitted, to the
communications on the subject made to this
government, especially to the communication
Of France.
The government of the United States has at
all times regarded with friendly interest the
other States Of America, formerly, like this
country, European colonies, and now indie
pendent members of the great family Of ma
tons. But the unsettled condition Of some
Of them, distracted by frequent revolutions,
and thus incapable Of regular and firm inter.
nal administration, has tended to baTass
occasionally our public intercourse, by reason
Of wrongs which our citizens suffer at their
hand, and which they are slow to redress.
Unfortunately, it is against the Republic of
Mexico, with which il il our special desire to
maintain a good understanding, that such
complaints are most numerous and although
earnestly urged upon its attention. they have
not as yet received the consideration which this
government had right to expect While
Teparation for past injuries has been withheld
others have been added. The political condi.
ton OF that country, however, has been such
as 20 demand forbearance on the part of the
United States. l shall continue my efforts to
procure for the wrongs of our citze Ms that re-
dress which is Indispensable to the continued
tlEr - rr,,
The peculiar condition Of affairs in Nieara-
qua in the early part Of the present year, rem
dered it important that this government
should have diplomatic relations with that
State. Through its territory had been opened
ono of the principal thoroug hfares across the
isthmus connecting North and South Ameri-
ca, GA which a vast amount of properly was
transported, and to which our citizens resort
ed in great numbers, in passing between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF the Uuiled
States. The protection of both required that
the existing power IN that State should be
regarded rs responsible government and its
minister was accordingly received, But he
renamed here only short time. Soon there
after the poIiticai aHasrs Of Nicaragua under.
went uutayorabie change and became inyolv-
ed in much uncertainty and confusion. Di-
plomatic representatives, from two contending
parties have been recently sent to this gov
ernment but, with the imperfect information
possessed, 1t was not possible to deci which
was the government de facto; and, awaiting
further developments, l have refused to re-
ceiye either.
Questions Of a serious nature are pending
between the United States and the hepublic
of New Granada. The government Of that
republic undertook, year since to impose
tonnage duties on foreign vessels in her ports,
but the purpose was resisted by this govern
ment, as being contrary to existing treaty
stipulauons with the United States, and to
rights conferred by charter upon the Pana-
ma Railroad Company, and was accordingly
reluquished at chat time, il being admitted
that our vessels were entitled to be exempt
from tonnage duty in the free ports Of Pana-
ma and Aspnwal. Bat the purpose has been
recently revived, on the part Of New Graua-
da, by the enactment of law to subject YES
sells visiting her ports to the tonnage duty of
forty cents per ton and, although the law
has not been put in force, vet the right to en-
force il is stu asserted, and may, at any time,
be acted on by the government of that Re-
public.
The Congress of New Granada has also
enacted law, during the last year. which
leyie5 q tax Of more than three dollars on eve.
~ pound Of mail matter transported across the
Isthmus. The sum thus required to be paid
on the mails OF the United States would be
nearly two millions Of dollars annually, in ad.
dtlun to the large sum payable by contract to
the Panama Railroad Company. Ii the only
objection Ca this exaction were the exorbitan-