Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-12-18

several neutral powers, promptly ac-
ceded to these propositions; and the
two other principal belligerents, Great
Britain and France, having consent
ed 10 observe them for the present
occasion, a favorable opportunity
seemed to be presented for obtaining
"a general recognition of them both
in Europe and America.
But Great Britain and France, in
common with most of the States of
Europe, while forbearing to reject,
did not affirmatively act upon the o.
ventures Of the United States.
While the question Was in this
position, the representatives Of Rus
sin, France. Great Britain, Austria,
Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey, as
sembled at Paris, took in considera-
lion the subject of maritime rights,
and put forth declaration contain
ing the two principles which this gov
eminent had submitted, nearly two
years before, to the consideration of
maritime powers, and adding thereto
the following propositions: "Priva-
| teering is aud remains abolished"
and "B!ockades, in order to De bin
ding. must be effective, that is to
say maintained by force, sufficient
really, to prevent access to the coast
of the enemy" and 10 the declara-
ton thus composed of four points
two of which had already been pro-
posed by the United States, this
government has been Invited to nc.
cede, by all the powers represented
at Paris, except Great Britain and
Turkey. To the last Of the two ad.
: ditional propositions : that in rela'
tan to blockades--ttere can Ger
tainly be no objection. 1t is merely
the definition Of what shall cOnsti-
tute the effectual investment oil
the blockaded place, a definition ioI
which this government has always
! contended; claiming indemnity for
losses where practical violation OF
the rule thus defined has been inju.
rious to our commerce. AS 10 the
remaining article of the declaration
of the conference at Paris, "that
priva,eering is and remains abolish
: ed" certainly cannot ascribe to
the powers represented in the confer
ence of Paris, any but liberal and
plilanthropic views in the attempt to
/ change the uDquestionable rule Of
maritime law in regard to priyateer.
ing. This proposition was doubtless
) intended to imply approval of the
principle that private property on the
iOcean, although it might belong to
: citizens Of a belligereut State, should
be exempted from capt re; and had
that proposition been SO framed as to
: give full effect to the principle, il
would have received my ready rs
sent Oh behalf Of the Uuited States
But the measure proposed Is in-
: adequate 10 thai purpose. Ii is true
that II adopted, private prop rty up
pom, the ocean would be Withdrawn
! from one mode Of plumber, but lrlt
exposed, meanwhile, to another
mode, which could be used with in
creased Effectiveness. The agrees
i've capacity Of great naval powers
would be thereby augmented, " bile
The defensive ability oi others would
be reduced. Though the surrcn-
der Of the means Of prosecuting
hostiIIlies b, employing priyateers,
rs proposed by the conference Of
Paris, is mutual in terms, yet, In
practical effect, il would be the re-
lIDquishment uI a right Of little val
Tie 10 one class Of states, bui OF es-
sentlal Importance 10 another and
a far larger class. / ought mol to
have been anticipated that meas
ure, SO made qnale 10 tire accom-
I pilshment Of The proposed Object,
and so unt quail ~ us operation,
would receive the assent Of all mar
ltime powers. Private properly
would be still left TO the depreda-
tons of The public armed cruisers.
1 have expressed readiness on
the part OF this government to ac-
cede To all the principle7 Contained
in the declaration Of tie conference
OF Paris, provided that relating 10
The abandonment OF priv altering
can be SO amended as to effect the
object Tor which, as presumed, il
was intended, the immunity OF pri.
vate property on the ocean from
hostile capture. To effect this OBJ
jject, il is proposed 10 add to the dec
: lar9tton that sst1riv.toorf,.o - a,,d