The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-12-12


end to causes of irritation between the two
coantrie~, by securing to the United States
The right Of fishery on the coast Of the British
North American provinces, with advantages
equal TO those enjoyed by British Subjects
Besides the signal benefits Of this treaty TO a
large class of our citizens engaged ia pur-
suit connected to no inconsiderable degree
with our national prosperity and strength, it
has had favorable effect upon other interests
in the provision il made for reciprocal free
dom Of trade between The United States and
the British provinces in America.
The exports of domestic articles TO those
provinces during the last year amounted to
more than ~ millions Of dollars, exceeding
thoye Of the preceding year by nearly seven
millions Of dollars; and the imports therefrom,
during the same period, amounted TO more
than twsnty-one millions-an increase Of six
millions upon those Of the previous year.
The improved condition Of this branch Of
eur commerce is mainly attributable to the
above mentioned treaty.
Provision was made, in the first article Of
that treaty for commission to designate the
mouths of rivers to which the common right
Of fishery on the coast Of the United States
and the British Provinces, was not to extend.
This commission has been employed a part Of
two seasons, but without much progress in
accomplishing the object for which it was in.
stitutsd. in consequence OF q serious differ
snce OF opinion between the commissioners.
not only as to the precise point where the
rivers terminate, but in many instances as to
what constitutes river. These difficulties,
however. may be overcome by resort to the
umpirage provided for by the treaty.
The efforts perseveringly prosecuted since
the commencement Of my administration,
to relieve our trade to the Baltic from the
exaction Of sound dues by Denmark. have not
yet been attended with success. Other gov
srnments have also sought to obtain like
relief to their commerce. and Denmark was
thus induced to propose an arrangement to
all the European Powers Interested in the
subject; and the manner in which her propo-
stion was received, warranting her to believe
that o satisfactory arrangement with them
could soon be concluded, she made strong
appeal to this government for temporary sus-
pension Of definite action on its part, in con
sideration Of the embarrassment which might
result to her European negotiations by an i'm
mediate adjustment of the question with the
United states. This request has been acced.
ed to, upon the condition that the sums col.
Iected after the 10th Of June last, and until
the 10th of June next from vessels and car
goes belonging to our merchants, are to be
considered as paid under protest and subject
to future adjustment. There is reason to be.
lieve Chat an arrangement between Denmark
and the maritime powers Of Europe on the
subject, will be soon concluded, and that the
pending negotiation with the U. States may
then be resumed and terminated in a salts.
factory 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 our commercial int ercourse with
the Island Of Cuba of some of its burdens,
and providing for the D, ore speedy settlement
Of local disputes growing out of that inter.
course. have not yet been attended with any
results.
Soon after the commencement Of the late
war in Europe, this government submitted to
the consideration Of oil maritime nations two
principles for the security Of neutral COM
merce: one, that the neutral flag should cover
enemies goods, except articles contraband of
war; and the other, that neutral property on
board merchant vessels of belligerents should
DO exempt from condemnation, with the ex-
seption 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 bellig-
erents. One Of the parties to the war-Rus-
sia-as we'll as several powers, pro nptly &C.
ceded to these propositions; but the two 9th.
or principal bclligerents, Great Brit, ain and
France. having consented to observe them for
the present occasion, a favorable opportunity
seemed to be presented for obtaining q gem
ernl recognition Of them, both in Europe and
America.
But Great Britain and France, in common
with most Of the States of Europe, while for |
bearing to reject, did not aIfirmatively act |
upon the overtures of the u States.
While the question was in this position, the |
representatives of Russia, France, Great Bril- |
tain, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey,
assembled in Paris, took into consideration |
the subject OF maritime rights, and put forth |
a declaration containing the two principles
which this government had submitted nearly |
two years before to the consideration of mar.
thine powers. and adding thereto the follow.
ing propositions: "Privateering is and remains |
abolished;" and "Blockades. in order to be
binding. must be effective, that is to say main. |
tanned by force sufficient really, to prevent
access to the coast of the enemy" and to the |
shue CompOScuO VI lOuT DOl0Je, Two |
OF which had already been proposed by the |
United States. this government has been in.
vited To accede, by all the powers represent.
ed ut Paris, except Great Britain and Turkey.
To the last Of the two additional propositions
that in relation to bockades-there can |
certainly be no objection. 1t is merely the |
definition Of what shall constitute the effec. |
tnal investment Of the blockaded place, a |
definition for which this government has al. |
ways commended, claiming indemnity for losses |
where practical violation Of the rule thus |
defined had been injurious to our commerce. |
As to the remaining article Of the declaration |
OF the conference of Paris, chat privateering |
is and remains abolished" certainly cannot |
ascribe to the powers represented in the con-
ference Of Paris any but liberal and philan.
thropic views in the attempt to change the
unquestionable rule Of maritime law in re
gard to privateering. Their proposition was |
doubtless intended to imply approval Of the
principle that private property on the ocean,
although it might belong to the citizens Of O |
belligsrent State, should be exempted from |
capture; and had that proposition been 80 |
framed as TO give full effect to the principle, |
it would have received my ready assent on |
behalf Of the u. States.
But the measure proposed is inadequate to |
that purpose. IL is true that IL adopted, pri. |
vate property upon the ocean would be with. |
drawn from one mode Of plumber, but left ex.
posed, meanwhile, to another mode, which |
could be used with increased effectiveness
The aggressive capacity Of great naval pow.
ara would be thereby augmented, while the
defensive ability of others would be reduced. |
Though the surrender Of the means Of prose.
cutting hostilities by employing privateers, as |
aN Inv tha al aris is M