Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-06

tuus CoupoSeu OF -FOUR points, two OF winch nau |
already been proposed by the United States, this
government has been invited to accede By all the
powers represented at Paris, except Great Britain
end Turkey. To the last of the two additional
propositions, that in relation to blOcksdes, there
can certainly be objection. Il is merely the
definition of what shall constitute the effectual in-
vestment Of blockaded place, definition for
which this government has always contended,
claiming indemnity for losses where practical vio-
laGon OF the rule thus defined, has been injurious
to our commerce. As to the remaining article OF
the declaration OF the conference OF Paris That
privateering is and remains abolished - Ger tain
y cannot ascribe to the powers represented in The
conference at Paris, any but liberal and phanthro
pic views in the attempt to chsnge the unques~
tionable rule Of maritime law in regard to pviva>
teeriug. Their proposition was doubtless intended
to imply approval OF the principle that private pro-
perty upon the ocean, although i; hight belong to
the citizens o. beligerent state, should be exemp-
ted from capture; and had that proposition been !
so framed 10 give full eec. to the principle, it
would have received my ready assent on behalf Of |
the United States. But the measure proposed is |
inadequate TO that purpose. IL is true that if a
dopted, private property upon the ocean would lie /
Withdrawn from one mode of plumber, but l-ft ex~ |
posed, meanwhile, to another mode, which could |
be used with increased effectiveness. The agrees |
sive capacity of great naval powers would BE- there
by augmented while the defensive ability Of others !
would be reduced. Though the surrender Of the |
means of prosecuting hostilties by employing pie
vateers as proposed by the conference Of Paris |
is mutual in terms, yet, in practical effect, it would
be the REIMBURSEMENT of a right of little value TO
one class of states, but of essential importance to
another and far larger class. IL ought not to |
have been anticipated that measure, so made |
quate TO the accomplishment CT the proposed OBJ !
ject; and 50 unequal in its operation, would receive
the assent Of all maritime powers Private prop
erty would be still left TO the depredatiOns of the
public armed cruisers
have expressed a readiness on the part Of this
government to accede to all the principles contain
ed in the declaration Of the conference of Paris,
provided that relating to the abandonment OF pr-
watering can be so amended as TO effect he object
for which, is presumed, it intended, the
immunity of private property on the ocean from
hostile capture. To effect this object, it is pro-
posed to add to the declaration that "privateering
/ is and remains abolished" the following amend
ment:
"Aud that the private property of subjects and
citizens of a belligerent the high seas shall be
exempt from seizure by the public armed vessels Of
the other belIigerents, except it be cOntraband."
This amendment has been presented not only to
the powers which have asked our assent to the
declaration to abolish privateerng, but to all other
maritime States. Thus fat il has not been req c,ed
by any, and Is iavorably entertained by all which
have made any communication IN reply.
Several of the governments, regarding with ia-
vc- the proposition OF the United States, have de-
Iayed defnitive action upon it, only for the pur-
pose of consulting with Others parties to the co.'s
ference OF Paris. have the satisfaction Of stating
however, that the Emperor OF Russia has entirely
aud explicitly approved OF that modification, aud
will cooperate in endeavOring to obtain the assent
of other powers; and that assurances OF similar
purport have been received in relation to the dis
position of the Emperor Of the French.
The present aspect Of this important subject al
lows Us 10 cherish the hope that principle 80 hu-
name it its character, so just and equal in its ope
ration, so esseotia to the prosperity of commercial
nations and COnsOuaut 20 the sentiments OF this
enlightened period Of the world, will command the
appreciation of ali maritime powers, and thus be
incorporated into the code Of International law.
NV views on the su0j ct are more fully set forth
in the reply OF the Secretary of State, a copy OF
! which is herewith transmitted, to the cOmmuuica-
ton on the subject made 10 tits government eSpe,
cialy to the communication Of France.
The government of the United States has at all
times regarded with friendly INTEREST the other
States Of America formerly. ike this country, hu~
ropeun colonies and now lad pendent members G.
the great family Of nations But the unsettled con
d,ion of some of them, distracted by frequent rev.
outous aud thus incapable Of regular and firm IN
torual administration, has tended to cmbarr3ss &C.
casionaIy our public Intercourse, by reason Ct
which they are slow TO redress.
Unfortunately IL is against the Republic OF Mex
co, with which it Is our special desire TO maintain
a good understanding, that such complaints are
most numerous; aud although earnestly urged upon
lis attention, they have not as yet received the
consideration whiCh.thls government had night to
expect While reParaIon for past III uries has
been withheld, others have been added. The POI
Etica! condition of that country, however has been
such as to demaui forbearance on the part OF the
United States | shall continue my efforts TO pro-
cure for the wrongs OF our citizens that redress
which is indispensable to the continued friendly as
ISOLATION of the two republics.
The peculiar condition Of affairs In Nicaragua in the
early part Of the present year rendered it important
that this government should have diplomatic relations
with that state Thoughts territory had been ope1ed
Of the principal thOrouglarts across the lslmus
connecting North and South America, on which vast
amount OF property was transported and to when our
citizens in great numbers in passing between
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts Of the United States
The protection OF both required that the existing power
in that state should be regarded as resP9nsloe gov
eminent; and its minister was accordingly received
But he remained here only short time Soon theret
the political affairs OF Nicaragua underNe ut uhaF
able change and became involved in much uncertainty
and confusion. Diplomatic representatives, from two
conendng parties have been recently sent 10 TINS gov
eminent: but with the imperfect Information possessed
it was not possible to decide which was the government
deacO; and, awaiting further Developments nave re
Question the most serious pending between
the limited states and the Republic Of New Granada. The
government that republic undertook, year SINCE to
impose tonnage duties on foreign vessels IN her ports
mi the purpose was resisted by this government being
contrary existing treaty stipulation with the United
States and rights conferred By charter upon the ran
anna Rail Road Company and was aecordlhiy
at that time being admitted that our vessels we're en-
exempt from tonnage duty in the free ports
Of Panama and Aspinwall. hut the purpose mas Oeeh
recently revived the part Of New Grauada by the
enactment OF law subject vessels visiting her ports
the tonnage duty offorty cents per tom and although
the law has put 70 yet the right to enforce
il st asserted, and may at any time, be acted on by
the government Of that republic.
The Congress Of New Granada has also enacted Law,
during the last year. which levies tax Of more than
three dollars every pound Of mail matter
across the Isthmus The sum thus required 70 be pad
on the mails the United states would be nearly two
millions Of annually in addition to the large sum paya
BILE by contract 20 the Panama Railroad Company II
.b only objection to this the e1orbitancy
Of il could not be submitted to by the United
The imposition Of it, however would obviously contra
vene our treaty with New Granada and infringe the con-
tract Of that Republic With the Panama Railroad Com
pany The law providing Tor TINS taN was ~ Us
take effect on Of September last but the local
Authorities the Isthmus have been induced 70 suspend
It's execution, and to await further on ne
subject from the government OF that Republic am not
vet Of the determination Of that government II
measure so extraordinary IN IT'S Character aAu 50
Is contrary treaty stpuiations ana The contract
OF the Panama Railroad Company composed mostly Of
American citizens should be persisted in u VIII be the
duty Of the United States to resist It's execution.
regret exceedingly that occasion exists 70 invite
YOUR attention TO subject Of still gravvr import Ia our
relations with the Republic Of New 6ranada- On the
fifteenth day Of April last rotous assemhiage % the
inhabitants Of Panama committed violent ana outrage
Gus attack on premises Of the railroad company and
the passengers and other persons in or near the same
involving the deash Of several citizens OF the United
States the page Of many others, and the destruction
Of large amount Of property belonging 20 the railroad
company. caused full investigation % that event 70
be made and the result shows satisfactorily that com
pe- responsibility for what occurred attaches 10 the
Government Of New Granada. have, therefore, de
minded Of that government that the peTperors o. the
wrongs question should be punished that provision
should BE- made the families % citizens d the United
Stes who we're killed. nth full indemnify for the pro
pcrty pilaged or destroyed
Ts ,ret condition % tae Isthnul o. PANAMA., In - FAR
a.. - and
seLInaa ie too. Recent lcnelts