The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-26
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
FOREIGN Affairs.

late war in Europe, this government sub
mitted to the consideration of all mari
time nations, two principles for the secu
rily OF neu RAJ commerce one, that the
neutral flag should cover enemies goods,
exceps articles contraband of war and the
other, that neutral properly on board mer-
chant vessels of beligercnts should be ex-
empt from condemnation. with the excep-
ton of contraband articles. These were
not presented as new rules of information
al law having been generally claimed by
neutrals, though not always admitted by
belligeren,s. One of the parties to the
war-Russia.-as we'll AS several neutral
powers, promptly acceded to these pro-
positions; and the two other principal
belligerents, Great Britain and France,
having consented to observe them for the
present occasion. favorable opportunity
seemed to be presented for obtaining a
general recognition Of them both in Europe
and America.
But Great Britain and France, in COM
mo. with most of the States of Europe,
while forbearing to reject, did not afiirma-
lively act upon the overtures of the Unit
ed States.
While the question was in this position.
the representatives of Russia, France,
Great Britain, Austria, Prussia Sardinia,
and Turkey, assembled at Paris, took in
to consideration the subject of maritime
rights, and put forth a declaration contain
ing the two principles which this govern
ment had submitted, nearly two years be-
fore, to the consideration of maritime
powers, and adding thereto the following
PROPOSE ions ''Privateering is and re-
mains abolished" and "blockalos. i'll Or
der to be binding, must be etfective-that
is to say, maintained by force sufficient
really TO prevent accsss to the coast of The
enemy" and to the declaration thus com
posed of fou: points. two of which had
, already been proposed by the uni,ed
States, this government has been invited
to accede by all the powers represen ed at
Paris, except Great Britain d. Turkey. TO
the last of the two additional propositions
that in relation to blockades-there can
certainly be no objection. | is merely
: the definition of wha5 shall constitute the
efiectual investment of blo:kaded place,
definition for which this government has
always eontended. claiming indemnify for
losses where a p;ac zeal violation of the
.uie hus lefned has been injurious to our
| commerce. As 10 the remaining article
OF the deca 4 ion of tire conference ol
Paris-',ha pgivateeting is aud remains
.,b 1; - -, 1y ,.on ,,nF aSnri ka En-
the powers represented in lie conference
OF Paris any bu liberal and piilanthropic
;. views in the aytemp. TO change the un-
ques ionable rule of maritime law in re-
gard to privateering. Their proposition
was doubtless intended to imply approval
Of the principle that private property up
on the ocean, although it might belong to
the citizens of belligeren. SAFE. should
be exempted from capture and had tha,
PROPOSE ion been so framed as to give full
: effect to the principle, il would have re-
> ceived my ready assen; Oh behalf the U
. SAFES. But ti,e measure proposed Is III
adequate % tha. purpose. l. is true that
if adopted, priva.e property upon the
ocean would be withdrawn from one mode
), of plumber, but left exposed, meanwhile
= to another mode, which could be uset
!, with increased effectiveness. The ag
gressive capacity of great naval powers
would be thereby augmented, while tht
defensive ability of others would be re
!. = duced. Thoug h the surrender of thu
y means of prosecuting hostiliiies by EN-
n ploying privateers, as proposed by th'
: conference of Paris, is mutual in terms
yet, in practical effect, it would be th'
l. REIMBURSEMENT of a right of little value
t to one class of States, but of essential i'm
portance to another and far larger class
1t ought not to have been anticipated tha
d a measure so inadequate to the accomplish
), ment Of the proposed object, and SO un
equal in its operation, would receive tn
: assent of all maritime powers. Privat
property would be still left to the depre
5. dalions of the public armed cruisers.
e, ! have expressed readiness on tn
. part of this government to accede to all tn
principles contained in the declaration o
the conference Of Paris, provided that tn
! one relating to the abandonment Of priva
er teering can be so amended as to effect TIL
object for which. us is presumed, it wa
intended-the immunity of private pro
perty on the ocean from hostile capture
l"e le To effect this object. it is proposed to al,
= TO the declaration that ''priva eering is an
remains abolished" the following amend
ment: "Anl that the private properly @
n. subjects and citizens OF a belligeren, o
the high seas shall be cxemps from seizur
s by the public armed vessels OF the othe
c. belligcren., except it be contraband." -
This amendment has been presented nc
only to the powers which have asked ou
assent to the declaration to abolish priva
teering, but to all other maritime State.
Thus far it has not been rejected by any
and is favorably entertained by all whic
ar have made any communication in reply.
Several of the governments, regardin
with fayo. tho proposition of the Unite