Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-05


phical position and of other circumstances,
which create fer US relations to the Central
American States, different from those OF any
of Europe.
The British government, in its last commu-
nication, although well knowing the views OF
the United States, still declares that it sees no
reason why a conciliatory spirit may not ena-
bic the two governments to overcome all OBJ
stacles 10 a satisfactory adjustment of the sub
jecf.
Assured of The correctness of the construc-
ton of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government, and resolved To insist on the
rights of the United States, yet sctuated also
by the same desire, which is avowed by the
British government, TO remove all causes OF
serious misunderstanding between the two ma
tions associated by so many ties OF interest
and kindred, it las appeared TO ne proper not
to consider an amicabe solution Of the conlro-
versy hopeless.
There il, however, reason toapprehend that,
with Great Britain in the actual occupation OF
the disputed territories, and the treaty there
fore practically null, SO far as regards our
rights, this international difficulty cannot long
remain undetermined, without involving IN
serious danger the friendly relations, which 1t
is the interest as well as the duty OF both
countries TO cherish aud preserve. 1t Will al
ford me sincere qualification, if future efforts
shall result in the success, anticipated here
tofore with more confidence than the aspect OF
the case permits me nnw to entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subjects of discussion between the
United States and Great Britain, has grown
out of the attempt, which the exigencies OF
the war in which she il engaged with Russia
induced her to make, 10 draw recruits from
the United States.
1t is the traditional and settled policy of the
United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars, which from time to time &C.
cur AMONG the great powers of the world.
Performing all the duties of neutrality towards
the respective belligerent States, we may rea-
sonably expect them not to interfere with our
lawful enjoyment of It's benefits. Notwith-
standing the existence of such hostiities our
citizens retain the individual right to continue
all their accustomed pursuits, by land or by
sea, at home or abroad, subject only to suoh
restrictions in this relation, as the laws of war,
the usage of nations, or special treaties, may
impose, and it is our sovereign right that our
territory and Jurisdiction shall not be invaded
by either of the belligerent parties, for the
transit of their armies the operations of their
fleets, the levy of troops for their service, the
fitting ont of cruisers by or against either, or
any other act or incident of war. And these
undeniable rights of neutrality, individual and
national, the United States will under no cir
cunstances surrender.
n pursuance of this policy, the laws Of the
United States do not forbid their citizens TO
sell to either of the beligerent powers articles
contraband of war, or TO take munitions of war
or soldiers on board their private ships for
transportation; and although, in 81 doing, the
Individual citizen exposes his property or per-
sOn To some of the hazards of war, his acts d.
not involve any breach of national neutrality,
nor Of themselves duplicate the government
Thus, during the progress OF the present war w
Europe, our citizens have, without national
responsibility therefor, sold gunpowder and
arms 10 all bayers, regardless of the destina-
ton of those articles. Our merchantmen have
been, and still continue to be, largely employed
by Great Britain and by France in transport
ing troops, provisions, and munitions OF wal
to the principal seat of military operations,
and in bringing home their sick and wounded
soldiers; but such use of our mercantile marine
is not interdicted either by the international,
)r by our municipal law, and therefore does
not compromise our neutral relations with
Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with
the law of nations, peremptOrily forOlds, not
only foreigners, but our own citizens, TO
Out, within the limits of the United States, Il
vessel to commit hsstilities against any State
with which the United States are at peace, ol
to increase the force of any armed vessel in
tended for such hostilities against friendly
State.
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either of the belligerent powers least private
armed cruisers, or other vessels, in the service
of one might be fitted out in the ports of Thu
country. to depredate on the property Of tn,
other, all such fears Rave proved to be utterly
groundees. Our citizens have been Withheld
from any such act or purpose by good faith and
by respect for the law
While the laws of the Union are thus pre-
remptory in their prohibition Of the equipmen
or armamen. Of belligerent cruisers in oui
ports, they provide not less absolutely that NJ
person shall, within she territory or jurisdic
ton of the United States, enlist or enter him
self, or hire or retain another person TO enlls
or enter himself, or to go beyond the limits oI
jurisdiction of the United States with inten
10 be enlisted or entered, in the service of any
foreign State, either as a soldier, or as a mari
uer or seaman on board of any vessel of-war
letter of marque, or privateer. All these en-
actments are in strict conformity with the la"
of nations, which declares that no State hat
the right to raise troops for land or sea servic,
in another State without its consent, and that
whether forbidden by the municipal law Ol
not, the very attempt % DO it, without sucl
consent, 10 al attack on the national sover
eighty.
Such being the public rights and the mum
cipal law of the United States, no soictud,
on the subject was entertained by this govern
ment, when year since, the British Parlia
meut passed an act to provide for the enlist
ment OF foreigners in the military service o
Great Britain Nothing on the face of the act
or in its public history, indicated that th'
British Government proposed to attempt re
cruiting in tile United States; nor did it eve
give intimation of such intention to this gov
eminent. 1t was matter of surprise, there
fore, to find, subsequently,, that the engagement
of persons within the United States % proceed
to Halifax, in the British Province of Nov;
Scotia, and there enlist in the service Of Grea
Britain, was going on extensively, with littl,
or no disguise. Ordinary legal steps were i'm
iLCOlhNcil ldhtu W kciOcb hHO IuHtru ltAIAlci
concerned, and 80 put al end to acts infringing
the municipal law and derogstory to our SOW
ereignty. Meanwhile suitable represents
tons on the subject were addressed to th'
British government.
Thereupon il became known, by the adnis
sion Of the British government itself, that III,
attempt TO draw recruits from this countr,
originated with it, or at least had It's approval
and sanction; bat it also appeared that lie pub
lie agents engaged in it had stringent instrne
lions" not to violate the municipal law OF th'
United States.
IL is difficult to understand how Il shoul,
have been supposed that troops could be raise,
here by Great Britain, without violation O
the municipal law. The unnistakable o5jec
of the law was to prevent every snch act
whehyif performed, must be either 10 viola
tion OF tie law, or IN studied evasion OF il
aud, in either alternative, the act done woul,
bs alike Injurious 10 the sovereignty OF Tia