Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-09


This reply substitutes partial issue, IN TIT
place of the genera! one presented by the Unte'
States. The British government passes over 'h'
question cs the rights of Great Britain, real o
, supposed, in Central America, and assumes ina
she had such rights at the date of the treaty, an'
that those rights cOmprehended the protect0rsn'l
of the Mosquito Indians, the extended jurisdiction
and limits of the Balize and the colony OF th'
Bay Islands, and thereupon proceeds by lmp!lca
tion to infer, that, if the stipulations OF the treaty
be merely future in effect Great Britain may sill
continue to hold the contested portions OF Centra
America. The United States cannot admit elhel
the inference or the premises. we steadily deny,
that, at the date of the treaty. Great Britain had
any possessions there, other than the lmlted and
peculiar establishment at the Balize, and main
tain thai, if she had any, they were surrendered
by the convention.
This government, recognising the obligations OF
the treaty has of course desired to see 1t executed
in good faith by both parties, and in the discus
ion, therefore, has not luoked to rights, which
we might assert, independently OF the treaty, IN
consideration of our geographical position and OF
other circumstances, which create for us relations
to the Central American States different from
those of any government of Europe.
The British government in It's last communlca-
tion, although well knowing the views of the u.
States, still declares that it sees no reason why
concilatory spirit may not enable the two govern
men,s to overcome all the obstacles to SatSiac-
tory adjustment of the subject.
| Assured of the correctness Of the construction
of the treaty constantly adhered to by this govern
meut, and resolved to insist on the rights of the
United States. yet actuated also by the same
desire, which is avowed by the British govern
ment, to remove all causes of serious misunder
sanding between two nations associated by so
many ties of interest and kindred, it has appeared
to me proper not to consider an amicabe solution
of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehehd, that
with Great Britain in the actual occupation of the
disputed territories and the treaty therefore prac
tlcaly null so far as regards rights, this in
ternational difficulty cannot long remain undeter
mined, without involving in serious danger the
friendly relations, which it is the interest we'll
as the duty of both counties 10 cherish and pre-.
serve. Ii will afford me sincere qualification, if
future efforts shall result in the success aDticpat-
ed heretofore with more confidence than the as
pect Of the case permits me now to entertain.
RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between the
United States and Great Britain has grown out
of the attempt, which the eXigencies oil the war
in which she is engaged with Russia induced her
to make, to draw recruits from the United States.
1t is the traditional and settled pulley of the
United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars which from time to time occur
among the great powers of the world. Perform
ing all the duties OF neutrality towards the res
pective belligereut States, We may reasonably ex
meet them not to interfere with our lawful enjny
ment of its benefits notwithstanding the exis
tence of such hUslilieS. our citizens retain the
individual RIGHT to continue all their accustomed
pursuits. b. land or by sea, at home or abroad,
subject only to such restrictions in this relation as
the laws OF war, the usage of nations, or special
treaties may imps Sc and it is sovereign right
that our territory and jurisdiction shall not be in
yaded by either of the beigerent parties, for the
transit Of their armies. the operations of their
fleets, the levy of troops for their service, the
ftinu out of cruisers by against either, or any
other act or incident OF war And these undenl-
able rights of neutrality. individual and national,
the United States will under no circumstances
surrender.
IN pursuance of this policy. the laws OF the
! Halted States do not tur0d Their citizens to sell!
10 either of the beligerent powers, articles con
| traband Cf war or take munitions OF war or
soldiers on board their private ships Tor transpJr
talion aud although, in 50 doing, the individual
citizen exposes his property or person to sIne OF
the hazards of war, his acls do not involve any
breach OF national neutrality, nor OF themselves
impIicate the government. Thus, durlng Tue
prurress of the present war in Europe, our cl'l
zens have without national responsibility therefor,
sid gunpowder and arms to all buyers, regardless
of the destination Of these articles. Our merchant
ruea have been, and still Continue to be, largely
employed by Great Britain and by France, IN
transporting trlopS, provisions. and munitions OF
war 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 iulerdicted either by the international or by
our municipal law, and therefore does not COM
promjt our neutral rotations with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with the
law of nations. percmptorly torbidS not only
f,reiUners, but our own cizens, to hit out within
the United States vessel to commit hostties
auaiAs, anv State with which the United States
are at peace or to increase the force OF any foreign
armed vessel intended for such hoStllitleS against
friendly State.
: Whatever concern may have been felt by either
of the beliuerent powers lest private armed cruz
sers or other vessels IN the service of one might
be fitted out in the ports OF tbs country to depre
date on the property of the other, all such fears
have proved to be utterly groundeSs. Our clti-
zens have been withheld from any such act or
purpose by unod filth and by respect for the law.
IVhie the laws of the Union are thus peremp-
tory in their prohibition OF the equipement or arnl-
auent of bellirerpnt cruisers in our p,rls, they
provide nut less abs lu,eiy that no person shall
within the territory or Jurisdiction OF the Unted
States, enlist or enter himself, or hire or retain
another person to enlist or enter himself, or To gu
beynnd the limits or jurisdiction ot the United
States with intent to be enllsed or entered, In the
service of any foreign State. either as soldier
mr. a marine or seaman on board OF any vesSelot
war, letter OF narque, or privateer. Ana thess
enac,ments are alsD in strict conformity with The
law of nations, which declares that no State has
the right to raise trlops for land or sea service IN
another State without its consent, and that
whether forbidden by the municipal law or not
the very attempt to do it without such consent Is
an attack on the national sovereignty
Such beinu the public rights and the municipal
law ofthe United States, no s1Ilcl'nde on Inc
subject was entertained by this government, when
year since, the British Parliament passed an
act to provide for the enlistment ot foreigners IN
, the military service of Great Britain. Nothing
ON the face of the act or in its public history
indicated that the British government proposed
10 attempt recruitment in the United States nor
did it ever give intmatiOn of such Intention Il
this government IL was matter of surprise,
therefore, to fad, subsequently,, that the en- Tage-
meat of persons within the United States to pro-
, ceed 10 Halifax, in the British province Of N)ga
Scotia, and there enllst ia the service of Great
, Britain, was going on extensively, with little u!
No dis ruise. Ordinary legal steps were lmnedi-
aeIy taken To arrest and punish plrdes concern
ed and 5 put an end to aols infringing the gnlnl-
cipal law aud derogatory TO our s1yarairnty -
Meanwhile suitable representations On the subject
ware nj lressnl 10 the British g1yefuna ant.
rhareuD,u it became kaINn, by the adnissioa
~ - r ,,,nrn NJ ant ilsalf thnt tha atfA N n,