Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-12-10


to their commerce, and Denmark was thus
induced topropose arrangement to all the
European Powers interested in the subject !;
and the manner in which her proposition was
received. warranting her to believe that a sat
istactory arrangement with them could soon be
concluded, she made strong appeal to this
government for temporary suspension of def
mite action on It's part, in consideration of the
embarrassment which might result to her Eu-
ropean negotiations by an immediate adjust
ment of the question with the United States
This request has been acceded to, upon the
condition that the sums collected after the 10th
of June last, and until the 10th of June
next, from vessels and cargoes belon ging to
our merchants, are to be considered as paid
under protest and subject to future adjustment.
There is reason to believe that am arrange
ment between Denmark and the maritime
powers of Europe Oh the subject. will be soon
concluded, and thu. the pending negotiation
with the United States may then be resumed
and terminated in satisfactory manner
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen.
nor has much progress been made in the ad-
justment of pending ones
Negotiations entered into for the purpose
of relieving commercial intercourse with
the Island of Cuba of some of its burdens,
and providing for the more speedy settlenenG
of local disputes growing out of that inter
course, have not yet been attended with any
results
Soon after the commencement f the late
war in Europe. this government submitted to
the consideration of all maritime naions, two
principles for the security of neutral COM
merce; one. that the neutral flag shtuld cover
enemies goods. except articles contaband of
war; aud the other, that neutral Ipperty on
board merchant vessels of beligerarts should
be exempt from condemnation, with the ex-
ception of contraband articles. These were
not presented as new rules of International
law having been generally claimed by neu-
trails, though not always admitted by heleige-
rents
One of the parties to the war-Russia-as
well as several neutral powers. plomptly ac-
ceded to these propositions; and the two other
principal beleigerents, Great Britain and
France, having consented to obserye them for
the present occasion, favorable opportunity
seemed to be presented for obtainisg gcner-
al recognition of them both in Europe and
America
But 6rcat Britain and France, in common
with most of the states of Europe, while for
bearing to reject, did not affirparively act
While the question was in this position, the
representatives of France, Great Britain Aus
tria, Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey, assembled
at Paris, took into consideration the subject Of
maritime rights, and put forth declaration
containing tho two principles which this gov
ernment hao submitted nearly two wears be-
fore, to the consideration of maritime powers.
and adding thereto the following propositions:
= Prlvateering is aud remains abolished y
and Blockades, in order to be binding. must
be effective, that is TO say, maintained by a
force, sufficient really, to prevent access to the
coast OF the enemy;" and to the declaration
thus composed OF four points two OF which
had already been proposed by the United
States, this government has been invited to
accede by all the powers represented at Paris,
except Great Britain and Turkey.
To the last OF the two additional propositions
that IN relation to blockades-tIiere can certain
ly be no objection. 1t is merely the definition OF
what shall constitute the efectual investment OF
blockade place, a definition for which this gov
eInment has always contended claiming indenni-
ty tor losses where practical violation of the rule
thus deiihed has been injuI ous to our commerce
AS to the remaining article of the declaration
OF the conference at Paris that priyatecrinr Is
and remains aboished,"-I certainly cannot as.
crlbc to the powers represented in the conference
Ia the attempt to change the unquestionabe rule
OF maritime law in regard to privateering.
Iher proposition was doubtless intended toim-
ply approval OF the principle that private proper
ty upon the ocean, although it light belong te
the citizens of a beligerent state should be ex.
empted from capture, and had that proposition
besn SO framed as to give full effect to the ornci
pie, it would have received nv ready assent or
behalf of the United States
but the measure proposed is inadequate to that
purpose. 1t IS true that If adopted. private pro-
pcrty upon the ocean would be withdrawn from
one mode of plumber. but left ex posed. me nwhile
to another mode, which could be used with in
creased effectiveness. The aggressive capacitv Of
great naval powers would be thereby augmented
while the defensive ability of others would be re-
duced. Through the surrender of the means OF
prosecuting hostlties by employing privateers as
proposed by the conference of Paris, is mutual in
terms yet In practical effect it would be the re-
hnqu'shment of right of little value to one class
OF states, but OF essential importance 10 another
and a far larger class.
1t ougii;;tt not TO have been anticipated that a
measure, 81 Inadequate to the ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
the proposed object, and 50 unequal in its onera
uoh, would receive the assent of all maritime
powers frlvate property would be still left to
The depre iations of the public armed cruisers.
nave expressed readiness on the part of the
government, to acceed to all the principles con-
tanned in the declaration of the conference of P.r
Is, provided that relating to the abandonment of
prlvateering. can be so amended as to effect the
OBJECT Tor 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 priva-
amendment 8 And that the private propertv Of
SUBJECTS and citizens of a beligerent ON the Iiab
seas, shall be axempt from seizure by the public
armed vessels OF the other beligerent except it be
eontrsband This mas -been presented not onIy
70 ,he pswers which have 'askeleur assent to the
declaration tn abolish ny; ,-o =,