The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-11

war WIN Europe, tnlh kONeIhmeHt suS
ted TO the consideration Of ell maritime ma
tons, two principles for the security oil neu-
tral commerce: one, that the neutral nag
should cover enemies goods, except articles
contrsLand OF war; and the other, that neu.
fral proper,y on bosrd merchant vessels OF
kelligefants should be exempt from condem-
nation, with the exception Of coItrabund
articles. These were not presented as new
rules OF ofinternationul law; hhving been gen.
orally claimed by neutrals, though not
always admitted BY belligerauts. One 1.-THE
parties to the war-Russia-a well as sew
erol neutral powers, promptly ucceded toI
these propositions; and the two other prin'
cipal belligerants-GreatB Britain and France
Having consented TO observe them for the
present occasion, o favorable opportunity
seemed 10 be presented for obtaining u
recognition OF them both in Europe ard
America.
But Great Britain and France, in com
mon with most ofthe States of Europe, while
forbeuring to reject, did not tfirmatvely
net upon the overtures Of the United States.
While the question was in this position,
the Representatives Of Russia, France, Great
Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, and Tur-
KEY, assembled at Paris, tcok into consider
alton the subject of maritime rights, and
put forth declaration containing the TWO
principles which this government had sub
mitted, nearly two years before, TO the con-
sideration OF maritime powers, and adding
thereto the following propositisus: "Priva-
teering ia and remains abolished" and
"Blockades, in order to be binding, must be
effective, thar is to sny, 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 United
States, this government has been invited TO
accede by all the powers represented at Par
is, except Great Britain and Turkey. To
the last of the two additional Propositions
that in relation to buckades-there can GER
tainly be no objection. 1t is more the de.
finiti9n OF what shall constitute the effectual
investment Of q biockaded place, a definition
for which this government has always con.
tended, claiming indemnity for losses where
a practical violation Of the rule thus DEFINED
has been injurious TO our commerce.
As to the remaining article of the declar.
ation OF the conference of Paris, "that Pri.
watering is and remains abolished" - can
conference of Paris, any but liberal ant
philanthropic views in the attemptto change
the unguestionable rule Of maritime law II
regard to privateering. Their proposition
was doubtless intended to imply approval 0
the principle that private property upon tbt
ocean, although it might belong to citizen'
of belligernnt State, should he exempted
from capture; and had that proposition beer
60 framed as TO give full effect to the prn
ciple, it would have received my ready Os
sent on behalf Of the United States. Bu
the measure proposed is inadequate to tha
purpose. 1t is true that if adopted, private
property upon the ocean would be withdrawn
from one mode Of plunder, but left expored
meanwhile, to another mode, which cou
be used with increased effectiveness. TIL
aggressive capacity of great naval power
would therefore be greatly augmented, Will
the defensive ability OF others would be re
tuced. Though the surrender of the mean
Of prosecuting hostilities by employing pr
vateers, as proposed by the conference {
Poris, is mutual in terms, yet, in practice
effect, it would be the REIMBURSEMENT Of
right Of little value to one class of State!
but Of essential importance to another and
far larger class. 1t ought not TO have bee
anticipated that measure so INADEQUATE
the accomplishment Of the proposed Object
and SO unequal in its operation, would re
ceive the assent of all maritime powers
Private property would be still left to th
dcpredations of the public armed cruisers.
have expressed readiness on the pal
of this government to acceGe to III the prE
cipes contained in the declaration of I'll
conference Of Paris, provided that relatin
10 the abandonment Of privateering can b
so amended as to affect the object for which
ts is presumed, il was intended, the immu
nifty OF private property on the ocean from
hostile capture. To effect this object, it i
proposed to the declaration that "privBtcer
ing is and remains abolished" the follow
ing amendment: "And that the private pre-
perty Of subjects and citizens Of a bclIigerer
On the high seas, shall be exempt from Sc
zure by the public armed vessels Of the othe
bellieercnt, except it be contraband." Thi
amendment has been presented rot only t
the powers which have asked our assent t
the declaration to abolish privateering, but t
all other maritime States. Thus far it hu
not been rejected by try, and is favorHbl
entertained by all which have made IN
communication in reply.
Several of the governments, regardin
with favor the proposition Of the Unite
States, have delayed dcfnit:ve action upo
it, only for the purpose of consulting vi;
others, parties to the Conference of Paris
have the satisfaction Of stating, however
that the Emperor Of Russia has entirely OH
EXPLICITLY approved Of that modification, an
will cooperate in cndeavoring to obtain th
assent Of other powers; and that assurance
Of similar purport have been received
relation to the disposition of The Emperor
the French.
The present aspect Of this important sui
ject allows US to cherish the hope that
principle so humane in its character, so jus
ard equal in its operation, so essential to tn
prosperity OF commercial nations, md so cor
sonant to the sentiments Of this enlighteue
period of the world, will command the AZ
Gerobation of all maritime powers, and thu
be incorporated into the code OF internntion,
law.
Ny views on the subject are more fully S.
forth in the report of the Secretary
Of State, a copy Of which is herewith tran!
mitted, 10 the communications on the sui
ject made to this government, especially I
the communication Of France.
The Government of the United State
hoe at all times regarded with friendly il
terest the other States of America, former
like this country, European colonies, ar
now independent members of the great fam
ly of nations. But the unsettled condi ic
Of some of them, distracted by frcuuent r