Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-01-03

l.
The British Government, in its last communida
ton, although well knowing the views of the
United States still declares that 1t sees no reason
Why conciliatory spirit may not enabIethe two
governments to overcome all obstacles to satis-
factory adjustment Of the subject.
Assured of the correctness of the construction
of the treaty constantly adhered to by this gov
ernment, and resolved to insist ON the rights Of
the United States, yet actuated also by the same
desires which as avowed by the British govern
ment, to remove all causes OF serious misunder-
standing between the two nations associated by so
many ties of interest and kindred, it has appear
cd to mo proper not to consider an able,solu-
ton of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend, that,
with Great Britain IN the actual occupation of the
disputed territories aud the treaty therefore prac
hcaly null, so far regards rights, this In
ternational difficulty cannot long remain undeter-
mined, without involving in serious danger the
friendly relations which it is the interest well
as the duty of both countries to cherish and pre-
serve. 1t will afford me sincere qualification, if
future efforts shall result in the success anticipG
ted 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 of the war in
which she is engaged with Russia induced her to
1t is the traditional and settled policy of the
United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars, which from time to time occur
among the great powers of the world. Per-
forming all the duties of neutrality toward the
respective beligerent states, we may reasonably
expect them not tn interfere with our lawful
enjoyment of its benefits Notwithstanding
the existence of such hostilities, our citizens
retain the individual right to continue all their
accustomed pursuits by land or by sea, ut home
or abroad, subject only to such restrictions in
this relation, US the laws of war, the usages of
nations, or special treaties, may impose; and 1t
is our sovereign right that our territory and
jurisdiction shall not be invaded by either of
the beligerent parties, for the transit of their
armies, the operations Of fleets, the levy of
troops for service, the fitting out of cruisers by
or against either, or any other act or incident
of war. And these undeniable rights of neu-
trality, individual or national, the United
States will under no circumstances surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws Of the
United States do not forbid their citizens to sell
to either of the beligerent powers, articles con-
traband of war, or to take munitions of War,or
soldiers on board their private ships for trans
portation; and although, in 30 doing, the indi-
yidual citizen exposes his property or person to
some of the hazards Of war, his acts do not IN
volye any breach of national neutrality, nor of
themselves implicate the government. Thus,
during the progress of the present war in Eu-
rope, orr citizens have, without national re-
sponsibility therefor, sold gunpowder and arms
to all buyers, re ardless of the destination of
those articles. Our merchantmen have been,
and still continue to be, largely employed by
Great Britain and by France, in transporting
troops, 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
interdicted either by tho international, or by
our municipal law, and therefore does not COM
promit our neutral relations with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with the
law of nations peremptorily forbids, not only for
eigners, but our own citizens, to fit out, within
the limits of the United States, vessel to commit
hostilities against any State with which the
United States are ut peace, OF to increase the
force of any foreign armed vessel intended for
such hostilities against friendly State.
Whatever concern may have been felt by either
of the belligerent powers lest private armed cruz
other vessels in the service of one might be
fitted out in the ports of this country to depredate
on the property of the other, all such fears have
proved to be utterly groundless. Our citizens
have been withheld from any such act or purpose
by good faith and by respect for tho law.
While the laws of the Union nre thus peremp-
tory in their prohibition of the equipment or ar
mamcnt of belligerent cruisers in our ports, they
provide not less absolutely that no person shall,
within the territory or jurisdiction of the United
States enlist or enter himself, or hire or retain
another person to enlist or enter himself or to go
beyond the limits mr. jnrisdioti~s,~"f tbs onlteu
-5TaIes With Intent to be enlisted entered, in
the service of any foreign State, either as SOL
dier, or as marine or seaman on board of any
vessel-of-war, letter of marque or priYateer. And
these enactments are also in strict conformity
with the law OF nations, which declares that no
State has the right to raise troops 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 con-
sent is an attack on the national sovereignty.
Such being the public rights and the municipal
law of the United States, solictude on the sub
ject was entertained by this government when,
year since, the British Parliament passeu an act
for the enlistment of foreigners in the military
the act or in its public history, indicated that the
British government proposed to attempt recruit
ing in the United States nor did it ever give init
nation of such intention to this government 1t
a matter of surprise, therefore, to find, sub
'sequently, that the engagement of persons within
the United States to proceed to Halifax, IN the
British province of Nova Scotia, and there enlist
in the service of Great Britain, was going on ex-
ltensiyely, with little or no disguise. Ordinary
legal steps were taken to arrest and punish par
ties concerned, and SO put an end to acts infrin
ging the municipal Law and derogatory to our
sovereignty. Meanwhile suitable representations
on the subject were addressed to the British gov
ernment.
Thereupon it became known, by tho admission
of the British government ITSELF that the attempt
to draw recruits from this country originated with
it, or atleaSt had its approval and sanction but it
also appeared that the public agents engaged init
had stringent instructions" not to violate the
municipal law of tho United States.
1t is difficult to understand how it should have
been supposed that troops could be raised here by
Great Rritain, without violation Of the municipal
law. The unmistakable object of the law was to
prevent every such act, which, if performed, must
be either in violation of the Law, or in studied eva
sion ofit and in either alternative, the act done
would be alike injurious to the sovereignty of the
United States
In the meantime, the matter acquired addition
al Importance, by the recruitments in the United
States not being discontinued, and the disclosure
of the fact that they were prosecuted upon sys-
tematic plan devised by official authority; that re-
cruiting rendezvous had been opened in our prin-
cipal cities, and depots for the reception of re-