Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-01-10

or retain another person TO enlist or enter him
self, or to 90 beyond the limits or jurisdiction
Of the Uniled States with intent 10 be enlisted
or entered, in the service Of any foreign State,
either as soldier, or as mariner OF seaman
on board Of any vessel of.war, letter or rnarque,
or privateer. And these enactnents are in
strict conformity with the law OF nations, which
declares that no State hos the right 10 raise
troops for land or sea service in another Slate
without its consent, and that, whether forbid
den by the municipal law or not, the very at
tempt to do il, without such consent, is an at
tack on the national sovereignty.
Such being the public rights and the muniei-
pal law oft United States, no Solicituie on
the subject was entertained by this govern
ment, when year since, the British Parlia-
ment passed on act 10 provide for the enlist
ment Of foreigners in the military service OF
Great Britain. Nothing on the face ofthe act
or in its public history OF, indicated that the
British government proposed TO attempt recruit
ing in the United Stntes; nor did it ever give
intimation ofsuch intention to this government
1t was matter Of surprise, therefore, to hnd,
subsequently, that an 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, ives
going on extensively, with little or no disguise.
Ordinary legal steps were Immediately taken to
arrest and punish parties concerned, and SO put
an end 10 acts infringing the municipal law
and derogatory 10 our sovereignty. Meanwhile
suitable repres en;ations on the subject were
addressed to the British government.
Thefeupon ii became known by the admis-
sion of the British government itself, that the
attempt 10 draw recruits from this county or
iginated with il, or OF least had its approval and
sanction; but it also appeared that the public
agents engaged in it had stringent instruc-
tions" not 10 violate the municipal law Of the
United States.
Ii is difficult 10 understand how it should
have been supposed that troops could be raiset
here by Great Britain, without violation Of th,
municipal law. The unmistakabe object o
the law was 10 prevent every such act, which
if performed, must be either in violation of th,
law, or in studied evasion Of ii and 10 ethe
alternative, the act doue would be alike inju
rious TO the sovereignty Of the United States.
In the meantime, the matter acquired addi
ilonal importance, by the recrutmenis in the
United States not being discontinued, and the
disclosure Of The fact that they were prosecu-
ted upen o systematic plan devised by official
authority; that recruiting rendezvous had been
opened in our principal cities, and depos for
the reception Of recruits established on our
frontier; and the whole business conducted un-
der the supervision and by the regular co-ope-
ration Of British officers, civil and military,
some in the North American provinces, and
some in the United States. Tie completely of
those officers in an undertaking, which could
only be accomplished by defying our laws,
throwing Suspicion over cur attitude of neu-
traliiy, aud disregarding our territorial rights,
is conclusively proved by the evidence elici-
ted on the trial Of such OF their agents as hive
been apprebended and convicted. Some of
the officers thus implicated are OF high official
position, and many Of them beyond oar juris-
diction, so that legal proceedings could not
reach the source OF the mischief.
i These considerations, and the fact, that the
cause Of compont was not mere casual oc-
currence, but deliberate design, entered upon
with full knowledge OF our laws and national
policy, an6 conducted by responsible public
functionaries, impelled me 10 present the case
10 the British government, in order 10 secure,
not only a cessation of the wrong, but its rep
aration. The subject is still under discussion,
the result Of which will be communicated 10
you in due time.
BRITISH RELATIONS CONTINUED.
D / repeat the recommendation submitted l.
the last Congress, that provision be made 70
! the appointment OF commissioner, in connex
ion with Great Britain, 10 survey and establish
7 The boundary line, which divides the Tenitor
of Washington from the contiguous British pos
!, sessions. BY reason OF the extent and impor
tance OF the country in dispute there has beef
imminent danger Of collision between the sub
jects OF Great Britain and the citizens of th
United States, including their respective auth
i critics in that quarter. The prospect OF
speedy arrangement has contributed hitherto
to induce on both sides fO;bearance 10 assert b
force what each claims as q right. Contin
uance of delay on the part OF the two govern
ments 10 act in the matter will increase tn
danger aud difficulties OF the controversy.
Misunderstanding exists as to the extent,
character, and value of the possessory rights
|, of the Hudson's Bay Company and the pro-
perty OF the Pugets Sourd Agricultural Com
pany, reserved in our treaty with GIeat Brit
ain relative TO the Territory of Oregon.
J have reason to believe tha. cesSion OF the
rights OF both companies 10 the United States
which would be the Ieadiest means of teImi-
mating oil questions, can be obtained on rea-
sonable terms and, With view to this end,
present the subject 10 the attention OF Con-
gfesS.
The colony OF Newfoundland, having ensct-
ed the laws required by the treaty Of The 5th
Of June, 1854, is now placed on the same
footing, in respectto commercial intercourse
with The United States, as the other British
North American provinces.
II The Commission, which that treaty con-
templated, for determining the rights Of FISH
lery in rivers and mouths of rivers on the
coasts Of the United States and the British
North American provinces, has been organized
and has commenced IFS labors; 10 complete
which there is needed further appropriations
for the service Of another season,
II SOUND DUES. -t ..
In pursuance OF the authority, conferred by
a resolution of the Senate of the United
States, passed on the Sd Of March last, notice
was given 10 Denmark, on the 14th day OF
! April, of the intention OF this government 10
avail itself Of the stipulation Of the subsiSting
convention Of friendship, commerce, and nayi.
/ CATION between that Kingdom and The United
Stntes, whereby either party might, after ten
iyears, terminate the same at the expiration oil
one year from the date of notice for that pur.
lpose.
4 The considerations, which led me 10 cal
!, the attention OF Congress 10 that convention,
!, and induced the Senate to adopt The reSolu.
lion referred TO, still continue in full force
u The convention contains an article, which, o L
though i does not directly engage The United
States to submit the imposition Of tolls on the
vessels and cargoes Of Americans into or from
the Ballc sea, during the continuance Of the