Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-12-12
:,lng the obiee. Tor which it was inst

lace Oh opinion DeLWeenstne commiSSiCu'
iers. ro: onlysasto The precise point where
The rivers terminate, but tnany instan>
ces as to what constitutes q river. These
difficulties. however, may be overcomeb
resort to the umpirsge provided for by
the treaty.
The efforts perseveringiy prosecuted
since the commencement Of my admins
tration to relieve our trade to the Baltic
from the exaction of Sound dues by Den
mark have not yet been attended with
success. Other governments have also
sought to obtain like relief to their com
merce, aud Denmark was thus induced to
propose an arrangement to all the Euro
nean powers interested in the subject ;
and the manner in which her proposition
was received, warranling her to believe
that satisfactory arrangement with them
could soon be concluded. she made a
strong appeal to this government for tenn
porafy suspension of definite action on its
part, in consideration OF the embarrass-
ment which might result to her Europe"
an negotiations by an immediate adjust.
ment of the question with the United
States. That request has been acceded
to, upon the condition that the sums col
lected after the 18th OF June last. and un-
ill the 10th Of June next, from vessels
and cargoes belonging to our merchants,
are to be considered as paid under protest
and subject to future adjustment. There
is reason to believe that an arrangement
between Denmark aud the maritime pow
ers Of Europe on the subject will soon be
concluded, and that the pending negotia-
ton with the United States may then be
resumed and terminated in a satisfactory
manner.
With Spain no new difficulties have
arisen, nor has much progress been made
in the adjustment Of pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the pur-
pose Of relieving our commercial inter
course with the island Of Cuba Of some Of
its burdens, and providing for the more
speedy settlement Of local disputes grow
ing out Of that intercourse. have not yet
been attended with any results.
Soon after the commencement OF the
late war in Europe, this government sub
mitted to the consideration Of all mari
time nations two principles for the securi-
neutral flag should cover enemies goods.
except articles contrabaud Of war and
the other, that neutral property on board
merchant vessels of belligerents should
be exempt from condemnation. with the
exception Of conLraband articles. These
were not presented as new rules of inter-
national law; having been generally
claimed by neutrals, though not Away S
admitted by belligerents. One Of the
parties to the r-Russia-as we'll as
several neutral powers, promptly acceded
to these propositions !; and the two other
principal belligerents. Great Britain and
France, having consented to observe them
for the present occasion, favorable OPP
pcrtunity seemed to be presented for OBJ
tanning a general recognition of them
both in Europe and America.
But Great Britain and France in com
mon with most Of the States of Europe,
while forbearing to reject did not affirm.
atively act upon the overtures of the I'm
tied States.
While the question was in this position,
the representatives, of Russia. France,
Great Britain. Austria. Prussia, Sardinia,
and Turkey. assembled at Paris, took into
consideration the subject of maritime
rights, land put forth declaration contain
ing two principles which this government
had submitted. nearly two years before,
to the consideration Of maritime powers,
and adding thereto the following ,propo-
sitions a. Priyateering is aud remains
abolished, and "blockades. in order to
be binding. must be effective-that is to
say, maintained by force sufficient really
to prevent access to the coast of the ene>
my - and to the declaration thus com.
posed OF four points, Two Of which had al.
ready been proposed by The United States
this government has been invited to &C.
cede by all the powers represented Al
Paris, except Great Britain and Turkey
| To the last Of these Two additional pro
sitions-that in relation 10 blockades-
there can certainly be no objection. 1t i
merely the definition Of what shall con
stitute the effectual investment of bloc
kaded place. a definition for viii b this
government has always commended. claim
ing indemnity for losses where practica
violation Of this rule thus defined has beer
injurious 10 our commerce. AS the re
naming article of the declaration Of thu
conference at Paris" that privateerins
is and remains abolished"-I certainly
cannot asscribe TO the powers represented
in the conference at Paris any but liberia
and philantropic views in the attempt t
change the unquestionable rule of mari
time law in regard to privateering. Thei
proposition was doubtless intended to i'm
ply approval of the principle that private
property upon the ocean, although i
might belong to citizens of beligeran
States. should be exempted from capture
and had that proposition been SO framed
as to give full effect to the principle. il
would have received my ready assent or
behalf of the United States. But the