The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-17


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 terminated in satisfactory manner.
With Spain new difficulties have arsen nor has
much progress been made in the adjustment of pend
ing ones. g. -ttsz .u..- - . j..
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of reliev
ing our commercial intercourse with the island of Gu
ba OF some OF its burdens and providing for the more
speedy settlement of local disputes growing out of
tat Intercourse have yet been attended with any
results. 81
Soon after the commencement of the late in Eu-
rope, this government submitted to the
OF all maritime nations two principles for the secur
ty of neutral commerce.: one, that the neutral flag
should cover enemies goods, except articles contra
band OF war; and the other that neutral property
board merchant vessels of belligerents should be
empt from condemnation, with the exception of con-
traband articles. These not presented as new
rules of international law; having been generally
claimed by neutrals, though not always admitted by
beillgerents. One of the parties to the War-kussl
AS well as several neutral powers, promptly acceded
to these propositions; and the two other principal
belligerents Great Britain and France having
ted to obsSve themfor the present occasion favora
BILE opportunity seemed to be presented for obtaining
general recognition of them both in Europe and A
merica =na i6@tT75 d. ..a. =5zsr.,r' D b qszt5...
But Great Britain and France, in common with
most of the States of Europe, while forbearng to re
ect, did not airmatively act upon the oVertares OF
the United States. s =. ,.s.-e ......s. 3D.,
While the Question was in this position, the repre-
sentatves of Russia, France, Great Britain Austria,
Prussia Sardinia, aud Turkey. assembled at Paris,
took VITO consideration the subject of maralme rights
and put forth declaration containing the two Prln
ciples which this government had submitted nearly
two wears before to the consideration of maratime
powers, and adding thereto the following proposl-
tons: Privateering is and remains abolished }" and
Btockades in order be binding, must be etfeetlve
that is to say, maintained by force, sufficient really
to prevent access to the coast of the enemy and to
the declaration thus composed of four points, two OF
which had already been proposed by the y States
this go eminent has been invited to accede by all the
powers represented at Paris, except GreatBraln and
Turkey. To the last two additional propositions
that in relation to observation-disclosures certainly be
lection 1t is merely the dcmation OF what shall
constitute the etftctual Investment of a blockade
place. defination for which this government has al
ways contendod, claiming Indemnity for losses where
practical violation OF le rule thus dehned mas peeh
Injurious to our commerce. ..... .-. ..., ...
AS to the remaining article of the declaration OF
thelconference at Paris, that prvatecrng IS and re-
mains abolished"-I certainly cannot ascrbe to the
powers represented in the conference OF Paris any but
liberal and phanthropnic views i'll the attempt to
change the unqnestionable rule of malitme law in re-
gard to privateeruy. Their proposition was doubt
less intended to imply approval of the principle that
private property upon the ocean, although 1t might
belong to the citizens ola bclgerent state should be
been 50 framed to give full effect to the principle
it would have received my ready assent on behalf of
the United States But the measure proposed is i'll
adequate that purpose. It's true that if adapted
private property upon the would be Withdrawn
from one mode of plumber, but left exposed, mean
while, to another mode, which could be used With
increased effectiveness. The aggressive capacity OF
great naval poyers wcead be thereby augmented
while he defensive abilities of others would be re-
duccd Though the SURF nder Of the means of prose-
rrfi nv as
posed by the conference Of Paris, is mutual in teins
vet in practical effect, it would be the relnqulsh
ment of right a little value to one class OF states
bat of essential import to another and lar larger
class. 1t Dug hit to have antlclp ated That meas
ure so Inadequate to the accomplishment OF The pro
posed object, and so unequal III It's operation would
receive the assent of all maratlme powers Private
property would be still left the epredatlons OF the
public armed cruisers.
| have expressed a readiness on the part of this
government to acccde to all the principles contained
in The declaration of the conference of Paris provided
that relating to the abandon of privatecring can
be 50 amended to effect the object for which, as Is
presumed, it was intended, the immunity OF private
property Oh the ocean, from hostile capture. To eff
feet this object, it is proposed to add to the decara
ton that ''prvateering is and remains abolished,
the following amendment: "And that private prop
ery Of su iccts and citizens Of belgcrcnt on the
high seas, shall be exempt from seizure by the pub
lie armed vessels of the other beligerent except be
contraband" This amendment has been presented
only to the powers which has asked our assent to
the declaration to abolish prvateering, but to all
othes maritime States. Thus far it has not been
ectcd by any and is favoraby entertained by all
which have made any communication III repl y
Several of The governments, regarding with favor
the proposition OF the United States, have delayed
dennle action upon 1t, only for the purpose of con
sultng with others, parties to the conference of Pa
rIs hase the satisfaction of stating however that
the emperor of Russia has entirely and explicitly
approved of that modification, and will cooperate i'll
endelvorlng to obtain the assent of other ers;and
that assurances of a similar purport have been re-
ceVed IN relation to the disposition of the emperor of
the French The present aspect of this important
SUBJECT allows US to cherish the hope that prlncl
pie SO humane Ill its character, so Just and equal in
It's operation, so essential to the prosperity of COM
mercia nations, and SO consonant to the sentiments
OF this enlightened period of the world, will COM
mand the appreciation OF ali maritime powers, and
thus be Incorporated into the code of international
Jaw. My views on the subject more fully set
forth i'll the reply of the secretary of state, copy OF
VIII CHI IS herewith transmitted, to the comnunlca
tons on the sub ect made to this government, espe
clally to the communication of France.
he government Of the United States has at all
times regarded with friendly interest the other states
of America formerly like this country European col
onies, and now independent members of the great
family Of nations. Butsthe unsettled condition of
of them distracted by frequent and
thus incapable of regular and firm internal admins
traion has tended to em5arrass occasionally our
public intercourse, by reason of wrongs which our
citizens suffer at their hands, and which they are
slow to redress. Unfortunately it is against Mexi-
CO. with which it is special desire to maintain
good understanding, that such complaints most
frequent; and although earnestly urged upon its at
tention, they have not yet received the considera
ton which this government had right to expect
While reparation for past injuries has been withheld
others have been added The political condition Of
that country, however, has been such to demand
forbearance on the part of Tie United States, I shall
continue my efforts to procure for The wrongs of our
citizens that redress which is indispensable to the
continued frendly association of the two republics
TIE peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua in the
early part Of the present year rendered it important
that this government should have diplomatic rea
tons with that State. Through it's territory had
been opened Of the principal thoroug
3he lsthmus connecting orth and South America
on which a vast amount of property was transport
ed, and to which citizens resorted in great num-
bers 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 responsible government; and its
minister accordingly received. But he remain
ed here only short time. Soon thereafter the polit
ica affairs of Nicaragua underwent usfavorable
change, and became involved in much uncertainty
aud confusion Diplomatic representatives from two
contending parties have been recently sent to this
l.