The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-12-10

mode Of plumber, but left exposed, mean
while. to another mode. which could be
used with increased effectiveness. The
aggressive capacity of great naval pow.
crs would be thereby augmented, while
the defensive ability of others would be
reduced. Though the surrender of the
means Of prosecuting hostilities by EN-.
ployipg privateers, os proposed by the
conference of Paris. il mutual in terms,
yet, in practical effect, it would be the
REIMBURSEMENT of a right of little valuo
TO one class of States, but of essential
Importance to another and a far larger
class. 1t ought not to have been antici-
pated that a measure. 80 inadequate to
the accomplishment of the proposed OBJ
ject, and so Unequal in its operation, would
receive the assent of all maritime pow.
ers. Private property would be still left
to the deprcdations of the public armed
cruisers.
I have expressed a readiness on the
part of this government. to accede to all
the principles contained in the DECLARE.
ton of the conference of Paris, provided
that relating to thu abandonment OF pri-
Watering can be so amended as to effect
the object for which, as is presumed, it
was intended. tho immunity Of private
property on the ocean from hostile cap
ture. To effect this object, it is propo-
sed to add to tho declaration that ''pri.
Watering is and remains abolished" the
following amendment: And that the
private property of subjects and citi-
zens of a belligerent On tho high seas.
shall be exempt from seizure by the pub
lie armed vessels of the other bclligefent,
except it be c%ontrabaud " This amend
ment has been presented not only to tho
powers which have asked our assent to
tha declaration TO abolish privateering,
but to all other maritime States. Thu,
far il has not been rejected by any, and
is favorably entertained By all which
have made any communication in reply.
Several Of the governments, regarding
with favor the proposition of the United
States, have delayed defnitive action up.
on it, only for the purpose of consulting
with others, parties to the conference of
Paris. I have the satisfaction ofstating,
however, that the Emperor Of Russia has
entirely and explicitly approved of that
notification, and will cooperate in en-
denvoring to obtain tho assent of other
powers; and that assurances Of a similar
purport have been received in relation
to tho disposition of the Emperor of the
! French.
The present aspect of this important
| subject allows us 10 cherish the hope that
a pr'uciple so humane 10 its character 30
Just and equal in its operation, so essen.
tial TO the prosperity Of commercial ma
lions. and so c%onsonant to the sentiments
of thi, ell enlightened period Of the world,
will command The appreciation Of all mar
thine powers. ono thu, be Incorporated
into the code OF in International law.
NY views on the subject are more full.
ly set forth in the reply Of the Sccreta.
ry of State, a copy OF which is herewith
transmitted, to the col.lmu 'icaticn On
the subject made to this govcrnment. cs'
p%ecially to the communication to france.
The government of the United States
has at all times regarded with friendly
interest the other States of America,
formerly, like this country, European
colonies, and now independent members
of tho great family Of nations. But the
unsettled condition of some Of them dis
tracted by frequent revolutions, and thus
incapable of regular and firm internal
administration. has tended to embarrass
occasionally our public Intercourse. by
reason of wrongs which our ~citizens suf.
fer at their hands, and which thoy are
slow to redress
Unfortunately it is against the Repub-
lie of Mexico. which it is our special de-
sire to maintain a good understanding,
that such complaints are most numerous;
and although earnestly urged upon its
attention. they have not as yet received
the consideration which this government
had a right to expect. While reparation
for past injuries has been withheld, 9TH
ers have been added. The political con-
dition of that country, however, has been
such as to demand forbearance on the
part of the United States. l shall con.
tinue my effort to procure for the wrongs
of our citizens that redress which is in
dispcnsible to the continued friendly as.
ISOLATION of the two Republics.
The peculiar condition of affairs 10
Nicaragua in the early part of the pres
cnt year, rendered it important that this
government should have diplomatic re
~lations with that State. Through its ter
ritory had been opened ono of the prin
cipal t~horoughfares across the Isthmu:
connecting North and South America
on which a vast amount Of property wa.
transported, and to which our citizens re
sorted 10 great numbers, in passing be
tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
of the United States The protection Of
both required that the existing power il
that State should be regarded as a re
sponsible government and its ministe
was accordingly received But h
remained here only a short time. Soor
thereafter the political affairs Of Mic
aragua underwent unfavorable change
aud became involved in much uncertain
ty and confusion. Diplomatic represeu
%tatives from two oontendiug parties hav
been recently sent to this government
but, with the imperfect information pos
scsseA. il was not possible IN d"cid
which was the government a. t,.cf1; an