Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1856-12-06

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an additional treaty, which our minister al Londol
has concluded, and which win be Immediately sub
mitted 10 the Senate for It's consideration. Should
the proposed supplemental Arrangement be concur
red in by all esparties 10 be affected by it, tn
1 objects contemplated by the original convention
will have been fully affirmed.
The treaty between the United States and Grea
Britain, of the 5tE ofJune, 1854, which went ints
Elective operation in 1865, Put end to o
irritation between the countries, by securing
the United States the right offiShery on the coas
sof the British North American provinces, with
advantageous equal to those enjoyed by British
subjects. Besides the signal benefits this treaty
TO large class at our citizens engaged in pursu
connected TO no iHconsiderable degree with
national rosperity and strength, it has had iav
orable effect upon other interest in the provision it
made for reciprocal freedom OF trade between the
United States and the British provinces in Ameri-
ca.
The export of domestic articles to those proyin-
ces5durins the last year amounted to more than
twenty-five millions fdoilars, exceeding those of
hepreceding year by nearly seven millions ofdol-
lars and tie imports tlerefron, dIring the same
period, amounted to more than twenty-one millions
an increase of six millions upon those OF the pre-
rions year.
The improved condition of This branch of GU
commerce is mainly attributable 10 the above men
TONED treaty.
Provision was, made, in the first article ofthat
treaty, for commission to designate the mouths o.
rivers TO which the common right of fishery on the
coast of the United States aud British Provinee'
was not 10 extend This commission has been
employed part oftwo seasons, but without much
progress in accomplishing the object for which it was
instituted, in consequence ola serious difference
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 re-
sort to Umpirage provided for by treaty.
The effort perseverngly prosecuted since the COM
nencemnt of my administration, to relieve our trade
to the Baltic from the eXactioa of sound dues by
Denmark have yet Leen attended with suCcess.
Other goyernmeats have also sought to obtain
like relief to their commerce, and Denmark was
thus induced to propose an arrangement TO all the
European Powers interested in the subject; and :
the manner in which her proposition received
warranting her to hclieye6hat satisfactory arrange
ment with them could soo1be concluded, sbr made
strong appeal TO this eofernment for temporary
suspension ofdehnie on its part in co nSidsr
alton Of the Embarrassment iichss- hit result 10
her European ;iasi0fs b. Immediate adjust
ment OF the question with the United States This
requestas been accedcd ito upon the Condition, that
the sums co!leeled after she 10th of jane Last 3
and from the si1teeDth of June next from
vessels and cargoes belonging merchants, are
TO be considered paid under protest. aud subject
future adjustment.
There is reason to believe that an arrangement
between Denmark and tue maritime powers of
Europe on the subject will be soou concluded and
that the pending negotiation with the United States
may then be resumed and terminated in satistac-
tory manner.
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen nor
ilas much progress been MAIDS i'll the adjustment of
pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of reli
ing commercial intercourse with the Island of
Cuba of some Gifts burdens, and providing the mOe
speedy settlement of local disputes growing out of
that intercourse have not yet been attended with |
any results.
Soon er the commencement of the late war in |
Europe, this government submitted kto the consider
alton OF all maritime powers, two principles iUr the
security of neutral commerce one that the neutral
flag should cover enemies goods except articPs con-
trabNnd Ofwar and the other that neutral property
on board merchants vessels of belligerent5 should
be exempt from condemnation with the excer Jon of |
articles These not preserved
rules ofinteru0tional law having been general
ly claimed by neutrals, though not always admitted
by beiigerents. One OF he parties TO the war
Russla-as we'll as several neutral powers promptly |
acceded to those propositions aud the two other
principal hclligercnts, Great Britain and France,
having consented tntobserve them for the present
occasion, favorable opportunity seemed TO le pre-
seated for obtaining general recognition Of them
both in Europe and America.
But Great Britain and France, in common with
most of tie states ofGurope while torbea:ing 10
ject, did not aftrmnvtly act upon the overturcS of
the United States.
While the question in this positioR the repre-
seuatives of Russia France Great Britain, Austria
Prussia Sardinia, Turkey, assembled Il, Paris, took
INTO consideration thesasieet "f maritime rights
put forth dec arntion containing the principles
which this government hid submitted, nearly
years before, tothe consideration of fsarutme pow
ers, and adding thereto the following propositions
Privnteering is and remains abolikhcd, and Block
ldes in order to be binding, must be effective that
5 say, maintained by force, sufficient really,
prevent access to-the coast of the enemy land 10
he declaration thus composed OF four points, two
IT which had already been proposed Icy the United
States this government has been in i, to aecede IS
III the powers represented at Paris, EXCEPT Great
''iain and T4Fkey To the last Of tue two as
here can csrtai be no ohjecIiog-szLtis merely
be definition 81 what sIialL,constitIte the cfEec-
ual investn1entsd block adedf pine, definition 4
OF which stisis government has always conten-
led, Claiming indemnity for losses where
ticaI'vfolatiOn of the rule thus defined has
zen injurious TO commerce.
ssAs TO the remaining article of the declaration of
he conference of Paris, shat privateering is and
emains abolished,"-I certainly cannot ascri6e to
he powers represented in the cone ence of Paris,
my but liberal and philanthropc visws in the at
empt to change the questionable rule ofmaritime
aw in regard to prfVateefing.
Their proposition doubtless intend d to inn
y approval of the principal that private property
pom the ocean, although, it might belong 10 the
illzens of belligetent state, should besexemptGd
rons capture and had that proposition been sofFam-
MS to give tulls@eft ct TO the princlrlesit GUS
ave received my ready assent on behalf ~ tte8l
United States. But the measure pFoposed
Inadequate to that purpose. Itistree that Il
ed private property upon the ocean svouid
EaNn from one of plumber, bit left Ineail-
While toanother mode, which could be used With
increased effectiveness. IL,
The ggressive capacity Of great naval pow
IS would be thereby augmented, while The 8
ietensive ability of Others would be reduced. !
though tlsc surrender of the means of prose-
fiting heslAities by employing privatecrs, as i
h. If
! in terms, YET in practical effect would +.
e the relinqiishm mt of right of lislie wal
e 70 ons estss Of states, but of cssenfi,l iInA
oYtance to another.anL far larger eas=.. 4. I
"ght not to lIaveLeen anticipated ila a mia
ure, so inadequate to the accohlplishlaent of ?
he proposed object, and SO unequal in7its ou- {
ration, would receive the assent of all mass-4 c
me powers. PrSsaso property would lie still =
.ft 70 the depredations of the public armed {
rui2ets
have expressed a readiness on tie far. of this 4