The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-10
laid under protest and subjoo. to future

adjustment.
Theresis reason to believe that an ar
fangement between Denmark and the
maratine powers of Europe On the sub
ject will be soon concluded, and that
the pending negotiation with the United
States may then be resumed aud termin-
ated in a satisfactory name with Spain
No new difficulties have arisen, nor has
much progress been made In the adjust,
ment Of pending ones.
Negotiations entercdinto for the purpos:
of relieving our commercial intercourse
with the island of Cuba from some of its
burdens, aud providing for the more
speedy settlement oflocal disputes grow.
ing out of that Intercourse, have not yet
been attended with any results. Soon
after the commencement of the late wal
in Europe, this government submitted
to the co~nsiderationsof all maritime Ia
lions, two principles for the security OF
neutral commerce: one that the neutral
flag should cover enemies goods, except
articles ~eontraband of war and the 9th
or that neutral property on board mer-
chant vessels of belligerents, should be
exempt from condemnation, with the ex-
ception of contraband articles.
These wore not pretended as new rules
of international law, having been gener-
ally claimeds by neutrals, though not
always admitted by beligerants. One
of the parties to the war, Russia, as well
as several neuteral powers, promptly &C
ceded to these propositions, and two
other beligerents, Great Britain and
France, having consented to observe
tha-, c-4l go
BILE opportunity seemed to be presented
for obtaining a general recognition Of
them, both in Europe and America.
The efforts perseYeringly prosecuted
since the comm encement of Riy admin
i~stration to relieve our trouble in the
Baltic, from exaction of Sound dues by
Denmark, have not yet been attended
with success. Other governments have
also sought to obtain a 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 10 which
her propositions were received, warrant.
ing her to believe that 3 satisfactory ar
rangemeat with them could soon be con.
cluded, she made a strong appeal to this
government for temporary suspension OF
definite action on its part in considera-
ton of the embarrassment which might
result in her European negotiations by
an immediate adjustment of the ques
ton with the u. s., this request has
been acceded to upon the condition that
the sums collected at the 10Th of june
last aud until the 10th of June next.
It is merely the definition of what
shall constitute the effectual investment
of a blockaded place. deinition foI
which this government has always con.
tended, claiming indemnity for losses
where a practical violation of the rule
thus defined has been injurious to ouI
commerce. AS to the remaining article
of the declaration of the Conference oil
Pafis-that privateering is and remain:
abolished-I certainly cannot ascribe to
the powers represented III the Confer
ence of Paris, any but liberal aud phil
anthropic views in the attempt to change
the unquestionable rule of maratime
law in regard to privateering. Their
proposition was doubtless intended t.
imply approval ofthe principle that pri
vate property upon the ocean, althopsh
it may belong to the citizens of a bellige.
rentState, should be exempted from cap.
ture; and had that proposition been SO
framed as to g~ivefull effect to the princi-
pei, it weuld have received my ready
assent on behalf of the U. S. but the
measure proposed is inadequate to tina,
purpose.
1t is true if adopted private property
upon the ocean would be withdrawn
from one mode of plumber, but left ex-
posed meanwhile, to another mode which
could be used with increased effective.
ness, the aggressive capacity of great
naval powers would be thereby augmen.
ted, while the defensive ability of 9th.
ers would be reduced. Tnough the
surrender of the means of prosecuting
hostilities by employing privateers as
proposed by the conference of Paris i:
mutual in terms, yet in practical effect
it would be the REIMBURSEMENT of a
right of little value to one class oil
States, but of essential Importance to
another and far larger class.
It ought net to have been anticipated
that a measure so inadequate TO the &C.
co~mplishment of the proposed object and
sounequal ia its operation would receive
the assent of all maratime powers. Pri-
vate property would be still left to the
deprcdations of the public armed CRUZ
sers. 1 have expressed a readiness in
the part of this coed to accede to all
the principles contained in the dcclara-
tion of the conference of Paris provided
that relating to tie abandonment of pr.
Watering can be SO amended as to effect
the object for which, as is presumed il
was intended, immunity of private prop
erty on the ocean from hostile capture.
To effect this object it is proposed tc
add to the declaration that privateering
is and remains abolished. The follow.
ing amendment that the private proper,
erty of subjects and citizens of a beliger.
ent on the high seas shall be exempt
from seizure by the public armed vessels
of the other beligerent, except it bt
contraband.
This amendment has been presented
not only to the powers which have ask.
ed our assent to the declaration to abol
ish privateering, but to all the Other
maratime States. Thus far it has not
been rejected by any, and is favorably
entertained by all which have made an,
communication in reply. Several of tn
Governments regarding with favor tn,
proposition of the United States hav
delayed definite action upon it, only 70
the purpose of consulting with other par
ties to the Conference of Paris. 1 hav
the satisfaction of stating, however, tina
the Emperor of Russia has entirely an