Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-12-04

vi SIX miilonS upon those OF the previous wear
The improved condition af this branch of
our commerce is mainly attributable to the
above mentioned treaty.
Provision was made in the first article of that
treaty, for commission to designate the
mouths of rivers to which the common right of
fishery, on the coast of the United States and
the British Provinces, was to extend. This
commission has been employed part of two sea-
sons, but without much progress in accomplish
ing the object for which it was instituted, in
consequence of a serious difference of opinion
! between the commissioners, not only as to the
precise point where the rivers terminate but in
many Instances as to what constitutes river.
These difficulties, however, may be overcome
by resort to the umprage provided for by the
treaty.
| The efforts perseteringly prosecuted since
the commencement of my Administration, to
relieve our trade to the Baltic from the exac.
tion Of sound dues by Denmark have not vet
been attended with success. Other Govern
ments have also sought to obtain a like relief
to their commerce, and Denmark was thus in
| duced to propose an arrangement to all the
European powers interested in the subject and
the manner in which her proposition was re-
celved, warranting her to believe that salts
factory arrangement with them could soon be
concluded she made strong appeal to this
Government for temporary suspension of def
mite action on its part, in consideration of the
| embarrassment which might result to her Euro
pean negotiations by All immediate adjustment
of the question with the United States.
This request has been acceded to, upon the
condition that the sums collected after the 10th
of June last and until the 10Th oil June next,
from vessels and cargoes belonging to our mer-
chants are to be considered as paid under pro-
test and subject to future adjustment There
is reason to believe that an arrangement, be-
tween Denmark and the maritime powers of
Europe on the subject, will be soon concluded.
and that the pending negotiation with the
United States may then be resumed and term
mated in a satisfactory manner
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen,
nor has much progress been made in the adj
juStment eff pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of
relieving our commercial intercourse with the
Island of Cnba of some of its burdens, and
providing for the more speedy settlement of To-
cal disputes growing out of that intercourse,
have not yet been attended with any results
Soon after the commencement of the late
war in Europe, this Government submitted to
the consideration of all maritime nations. two
principles fer the security Of neutral commerce:
one that the neutral flag should cover enc
mics goods, except articles contraband of war;
and the other, that neutral property on board
merchant vessels of bclligrants should be eX-
empt from condemnation, with the exception
of contraband articles
These were not presented as new rules of in
ternatona law having having been general
y claimed by neutraIS, though not always adj
mtted By hcliigerents. One Of the parties to
the war-Russa-aS vel as several neutral
powers, promptly accedcd to these propositions;
and the two other principal belljgcrentS, Great
Britain and France, having consented to OBJ
serve them for the present occasion favorable
opportunity seemed to be presented for obtain
ing general recognition of them both in Eu-
rope aud America.
But Great Britain and France, in common
with most of the States of Europe, while for
bearing to reject, did not afirmativelv act Up-
on the overt ireS Of the United States
While the question was in this position, the
representatives Of Russia, France, Great Br-
tain, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey.
assembled at Paris, took into consideration the
subject of maritime rights, and PIT forth declaration
containing the two principles which this Government had
of maritime powers. and adding thereto the follow nr
propositions Prvacerng Is and remains abOli he'd
and BoCkades in order to he binding, must be effective
that Is to say maintained by force sufficient really
to prevent to the coast of the enemy the
declaration thus composed of four points two of which
had already been proposed lay the United States the Go
presented a: Paris, eXcei Great Britain and Turkey
To the last of the two additional propositionsthat in
relation t. ockadcsthcre certainly lie objection.
1t is merely the definition of what shall constitute the eff
feo taal investment Of bockadcd place, definition for
which this GOvernmen Mt has always contcnded, claiming
indemnity for losses where tactical violation of the rule
thus defined has been injurious tO As to
the remaining declaration of the Conference of Paris
That private erng is and abolished certain
" cannot aScrbc the Powers represented in the Cone
of Paris any but liberal and phianthropc views in
the attempt to change the unquetOnaber rule Of maritime
law in regard to privatecring.
Their proposition doubtless intended to imply ap
proval Of the principle that private property upon the
although il might belong tn the citizens of hcll
gcrent state should he exempted from capture and had
that proposition been framed give full effect to the
principle, would have received my ready he
half Of the United States. But the proposed il
inadequate to that purpose. 1t is true that if ado ted
private property upon the would be withdrawn from
one mode of plumber left exposed meanwhile to an
other mode which cond he used with increased effective
ness. The aggressive capacity of great naval powers
would he thereby augmented, while the defensive ability
of others would be reduced.
Though the surrender of the of prosecuting hos
ttes by employing privateers proposed by the Con
ference Of Paris, is mutual in terms yet. practical cf
feet, it would the accomplishment of right of little value
TO class Of states but of essential Importance to
thcr and far larger class. IT ought to been anti
cipatcd that measure so inadequate to the accomplish
of the proposed object and unequal in its opera
tion, would receive the assent of all maritime powers
Private property would he still left to the depreatiOns of
the public armed cruisers.
have expressed readiness the part of this Govern
ment to accedc to all the principles contained in the dec
aratOn o the Conference at Paris provided that relating
the abandonment of pivatccring Ic amended
effect the object for which, is presumed, it
tended the immunity Of private property on the ocean
from hostile capture.
To effect this object it is proposed to add to the dcc