Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1856-12-11

piofo' W tue pttuCtptc tho' Pi''osV
property upon the ocean. although il
might belong to the citizens Of bel /
ligerent stale, should be exempted from
capture. and had that proposition been so
framed as TO give full effect TO the princi.
pie, it would have received my ready as
sent on the part of the Uuited States.
But the measure proposed is inadequate
to that purPoss. It's true that il ador-
ted. private property upon the ocean
would be Withdrawn from Que mode Of
plumber, but left exposed, mean hile. to
another mode. which could be used with
increased effectiveness.
The aggressive capacity Of great naval
powers would be thereby augmented,
while the defensive ability of the others
would be reduced. Though the surrender
of the means of prosecuting hostilities
by employing privateers, as proposed by
the conference of Paris. is mutual in
terms. yet. in practical effect. il would
be he reliuquis hment OF a right Of little
value TO one class OF States. but essen
tisl importance to another and far lar.
ger class. Ii ought not to have been an
iicipated that measure. so inadequate TO
the accomplishment of the proposed OBJ
ject, and SO unequal in its operation,
would receive the assent Of all maritime
powers. Private property would be still
lef, to the depreciation Of the public
armed cruisers.
l have expressed readiness on the part
Of this government. TO accede to all the
principles contained in the declaration OF
the conference Of Paris, provided tina,
that relating to the Abandonment Of
privateering can be 60 amended as to eff
feet the object for which. as is presumed.
il was intended. the immunity of private
property on the ocean from hostile cap
ture.
To eject this object. it is proposed to
add to the declaration that ''privateer-
ing is and remains forever abolished"
the following smedment: "And that the
private property of subjects or citizens
of a belligerent, on.the high seas shall
be exempt from seizure by the public
armed vessels of the other belligerent.
exec pt il be contra band" This amend
ment has been presented not only 10 the
powers which have asked our assent TO
the declaration to abolish privateering,
but to ell other msratine States. Thus
far it has not been rejected by any, and
is savorably entertained by all whie b
have made any communication In re-
ply =.
Several of the governments. regarding
with favor the proposition Of the Uni
ted States. have delayed defnitive action
upon il, only for the purpose OF consult
| ing with others. parties TO The confer
ence OF Paris. | have the satisfaction
of stating. however. that the Emperor OF
Russia has entirely and explicitly APP
oroved of that mod fichtion. and will
cooperate in eadeavoring 10 obtain the
assent Of other powers; and that assn
RANGES OF a similar purport have been re-
c-iyed in relation Ia the disposition o.
the Emperor IF the French.
The present aspect OF This importan
subject allows US 10 cherish the hope
that principle. so hum,ne in its char
ac,er, so jus, and equal in ills operation
so essential to the prosperity of com
mercial nations, and so consonant 10 hit
sentiments Of this enlightened period o
the world. will commend the spproea
ZION of all maritime powers. and thus b.
Incorporated in the code OF inlernatIona
law.
Nv views on This subject are NOR
fully set forth in the reply of The Secre
,ary of state. q copy Of which is here
with transmitted, To the communities ton
on the subject made to this government
rs,ecially to the communication o
Fence.
The sovernmsn, Of the United STATE
has at all times regarded with irisnd'
Interest, the other States Of America. fer
merly. like this country. European colo
MES. and now independent members
, the great family Of nations. Blu, IN
unsettled condition of some of them dis
tracted BY frequen; revolutions. and thu
: inca pa ble of regular and firm interns
; administration, has tended to embarras
, occasionally our public intercourse. b
> reason of wrongs our citizens suffer o
their hands, and which ttey are slow
redress.
Unfortunately tits against the Reput
, lie of Mexico, with which it is our specis
desire 10 MAINTAIN a good understanding
that such complaints are most numr'
b Gus; and although earnestly urged upo
its attention, they have not as vet &c
: ceiyed the consideration which This gov
!, ernment had right to expect. Whit
repara,ion for past injuries has be
{ withheld. Others have been added. In
no ilical condition Of that country. how
: ever. has been such as TO demand FOL
i. bearsnce on the part Of the United States
j. | shall continue my sffr.s TO procure fe
J. the wrongs Of our citizens that fecfes
4 which is indispensable to the continue
. friendly association Of the two repu'
D lies.
y The peculiar condition Of Affairs
4 Nicaragua in the early part OF tpe pre-
e emit wear. rendered il important that tn
S government should have diplomstic u
J. la,ious with that state. Through u
J, territory had been opened one OF The Pr't
: cipal thoroughfsres across the is,hmu
e connecting North and South Americ'
y on which vast amount or properly va
o transported, and to which our ci,izer
y resorted in great numbers. IN psssiu
IS between the Atisntic and Pacific coas
IS of the United States. The Pro'ecuo
n of both required that the existing pow