Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-08-22

law proposed Oy the alleQ powers OF Eu-
rope, has been made public Mr. Marcy argues the
question with the statesmanlke ability that has cha
factersed his adm nstraton of the State Department..
and IN conclusisn states the decision of the United
States Government. This portion of the reply is
key to the spirit of the whole:
In discussing the efecl of the proposed measure
the abolition of prlvateerng-a reference to the ex
lsng condition of nations is almost unavoidable. An
instance will al present itself in regard two
nations where the commerce Of each is about equal
and about equally wide spread over the world AS
commercial Powers they approach 10 an equality, but
IS naval Powers there is great DISPARITY between
them. The ngular navy OF vastly exceeds that
of the other. In of a war between them only an
lnconsderabe part of the navy of the one would be
required to prevent that of the other from being use
of defence or aggression while the remainder would
be devoted TO the unembarrasSed employment of dc
sirryng the commerce of the weaker in naval
strength The fatal consequences of this great ine-
quality of naval force betU cen such begerens
would be in part remeded by the of p,ivaeers :;
in that CASE while either might assa the commerce
of the other in every sea, they would be obliged to
distribute and employ their respective naves in the
work of protection This statement only illustrates
what would be the case, with some modification, in
every wal where there may be considerable disparity
in the naval strength of the belIigerents.
History throws much light upon this question
France at an early period was without navy, and
in her wars with great Britain and Spain, both then
naval Powers she resorted, with signal good efftci
aggression, She obtained many privateers from
Holland, and by this force gained decided advantage
on the ocean over her enemy Whilst in that condi-
ton, France could hardly have been expected to or-
gnate or concur IN proposition to abolish privateer
ing. The condition of many of the smaller States
OF the world is in relation naval Powers not
much unlike that of France in the middle of the 10Th
century. AT later PERIOD during the reign of Louis
XIV, several expeditions were fitted out by him.
composed wholly of prvateers, which were most ef-
fecuvey employed in prosecuting hostiIities with
naval Powers.
Those who may have, at any time control on
the ocean, will be strongly tempted to regulate it's use
in manner TO subserve their interests and am
bilious proj jects. The is the common property
Of all nations, and instead of yielding 10 measure
which will be likely to secure to a few-possiby to
one-an asce .ency over it, epch should perlinaci-
ousy retain all the means ii possesses to defend the
common heritage predominant power upon the
ocean is more menacng to the well being of others
than such power on land, and all alike inpres
ted IN resisting calculated facilitate the
permai ent esia adjustment of such domination wheh-
| er to be welded by one Power or shared among by
few others.
The injuries likely to result from surendering the
dominion of the to or few nations which
have powerful navIes, arise mainly fr I'M the practice
of SUI ectng private property The ocean to seizure
by be'gerents. Justice AMI humanity demand that
this Practice should be aban onel AID that The rule
in rel ton to such property on land should be ex
The President, therefore, proposes 10 add to the
frs proposition of tie declaration" Of the Congress
at Paris, tae following words - Aud that the pri
vale pr"prrty of the subj citizens be igercn
IN he high shall be exempted from seizure By
publ armed vessels OF the oher belgerent, except
/ il be c0ntrahand.n Thus amended, the government
of the United States will adopt it together with the
other three principles contained in that decaraton :"
IN directed TO communicate the approval of the
President 10 the second third and fuur proposnns
/ Indp of no Anao he
unacceptable The amendment is c0mmend-d by so
many powerful considerations and the principle
which calls for it has long had tie emphatic sane
on of all enlightened nations in military operations
Oh land that the President is reluctant to believe it
will meet with any ious opposition. Without the
proposed mod dcatiOn OF tn first principle, he cannO,
convince himself that it would he wise or safe to
change The existing law in regard to the right of pri
watering.
i If the amendment should not be adopted, it will be
proper for the United States to have some under.
standing i'll regard to the treatment Of their Iriva
teers when they shall have visit the por
OF those Powers which may become parties tt
the declaration of he Congress at Paris. The Unite
States will, upon the ground of right and comfy
claim fo them the same consideration 10 which they
are entitled, and which was extended TO them unde
the law OF nations, before the attempted modification
of il BY that Congress-
As connected with the subject herein discussed, i
is not inappropriate to remark that due regard tc
The fail CLAIMS of nentrals would to require
some modification, If not Abandonment, oil the doc
rine in relation conraband trade. Nations which
preserve the relations of peace should be inj
iousy affected in Their commercial intercou Sc BY
tOst which choose TO involve themselves in war pro
vided The cizrns of such peaceful nations do no
compromise their character rs Eeuras by dlrec
interference with the m ltary operations OF the bel
lgerents. The laws of siege and blockade, it is be
eved, aGor all the remedies against neutrals tina
the pa'iies to the war can justly claim Those laws
in erdict all trade with the hesieged or blockadeC
places further interference with the ordinary pur
suits of neurals, in nowise to blame for existing
state of hOsiities, is contrary to the obvious dictate
of justice. If this view of the sub ject could b.
adopted, and practically observed by all civilized
tions, the right of search which has been the
r of so much annoyance and OF so many injuries +
neutral commerce, would be restricted 10 such Case
only justified suspicion ot an attempt to trad
with places actually in state of siege or blockade
Humanity and justice demand that The Gala Mite
incident war should be strictly limited to the beg
themselves, and TO those who voluntarily TAX
y y part with hem but neurals, abstaining in good fa
from such completely ought TO be lett to pursue lhe
ordinary trade with either beligerent, without re
strict ions in respect to the articles ene'ing into it,
Though the United States do not propose to en-
barrass the outer pending negotiations relative TO t
rights Of neurals, by pressing this change in The la
r, Of contraband, they will be ready 10 give it the
sanction whenever there is prospect of lis favorab
reception by other maritime Powers.
e ,e The undersigned avais hmelf of this opporunit
IT to renew to the Count de Sartiges the assurance
h his consideration w. L. MARCY.
10 SExTUPLE BoND.-Ihere is an old, gray puss
r. cat in Newark, who has recently had an addition
s, her family of SIX Kittens oil of which joined Il
e gether The hind legs. In lifting up, you Fail
~ the whole, like bunch of bananas. This interes
Us ing group of felinty seems 10 1--we very harmonious