Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01

respective Delhgcrent states,
ably expect them interfere with lawful enjoy
men OF It's benefits Notwithstanding the existence Of
such hostes, citizens retain the individual right To
continue all their accustomed pursuits by land by
ut home abroad subject only such restrictions IN this
relation the laws the usage OF nations pe-
cial treaties, may impose and IL is our sovereign right
that territory and jurisdiction shall not be invaded by
either of the belgerent parties for the transit of their
miles, the operations OF their fleets the levy OF troops for
their service the fitting out OF against either
any other act incident OF And these undeni
able rights of neutrality, individual and national the Uni
ted States will under no circumst ances surrender
In pursuance Of this policy the laws of the United
States do not forbid their citizens sell TO either of the
begerent powers articles conraband of war; to take
munitions OF soldiers board their private ships
for transportation; and although doing the individual
citizen his property person TO OF the aZ-
ards of war; his do involve any breach of national
neutrality, OF themselves mplicate the government.
Thus, during the progress OF the present in Europe,
citizens have, without national responsibility THEREFOR
sold gunpowder and all buyers, regardless Of the
destination of those articles Our merchantmen have
been, and still continue be, largely employed by Great
Britain and by France in transporting troops, provisions
and munitions of war to the principal seat of military
ratons and in bringing home their sick and wounded sol
diers but such of mercantile marine is not inter
dicted either by the international, by our municipal
law, and therefore docs not compromit our neutral rea
tons with Russia.
But municipal law, in accordance with the law of
nations peremporly torbids only foreigners but our
citizens, TO fit out, within the limits of the United
States, vessel to commit hosties against any state
with which the United States peace to increase
the force Of any foreign armed vessel intended Tor such
hostiles against friendly state.
Whatever may have been felt BY either of the
begeren powers lest private armed cruisers or other
vessels in the service of might be fitted out III the
ports of this country depedate the property of the
other all such fears have proved be utterly groundess
Our citizens have been withheld from such act or pur
pose by good faith and by respect for the law.
While the laws of the Union are thus perempory in their
prohibition of the equipment armament OF beilgerent
cruisers ports they provide not less absolutely that
SHALL within the territory jurisdiction of the
United States, enlist himself, hire retain
another person to enlist enter himself to 90 beyond
the limits jurisdiction of the United States with intent
to be enlisted entered in the service Of any foreign state
either as soldier, marine seaman on board of
any vesselofwar, letter of marque, or prvatcer And
these enactments also in strict conformity with the law
OF nations, which declares, that state has the right to
raise troops for land service in another state with
out its consent and that whether forbidden by the
nicipa law not, the attempt to do it, without such
consent, is attack on the national sovereignty.
Such being the public rights and the municipal law OF
the United States no soctude on the subject was enter
tanned by this government, when, the British
Parliament passed act TO provide for the enlistment OF
foreigners in the military of Great Britain Moth
ing on the face OF the act in its public history indicated
that the British government proposed to attempt recruit
ment in the United States did it give inmaton
of such intention to this government 1t matter of
SURPRISE therefore, nd subsequently, that the
ment of persons within the United States to proceed TO
Halifax in the British province of Nova Scotia and there
enlist in the of Great Britain going extern
sively, with little disguise. Ordinary legal steps
Immediately taken to arrest and punish parties
cerned. and put end to infringing the municipal
law and derogaory to sovereignty Meanwhile suita
BILE representations the subject addressed the
British government
Thereupon it became known, by the admission Of the
British government ITSELF that the attempt to draw recruits
from this country originated with it, at least had its APP
prevail and sanction but it also appeared that the public
agents engaged in it had stringent instructions
violate the municipal law of the United States
II is difficult TO understand how ii should have been
supposed that troops could be raised here by Great Brit
ain, without violation Of the municipal law The uums-
taxable object of the law was prevent every such
which, If performed, must be either in violation of the
law, in studied evasion of it; and, in either aterna
tve thu act done would be alike injurious to the
reignty of the United States.
In the meantime, the matter acquired additional i'm
portanca by the recruments in the United States not be-
ing discontinued and the disclosure of the fact that they
prosecuted upon systematic plan devised by official
authory that recruiting rendezvous had been opened in
principal cities and depots for the reception of
cruts established frontier; and the whole business
conducted under the supervision and by the regular
operation of British officers, civil and military in
the North American Provinces and some in the United
States The completely of those officers undertaking,
which could only be accomplished by defying laws,
dsregarding territorial rights, is concusvely proved
by the evidence elected the trial of such Of their
as have been apprehended and convicted. Some of the
officers thus implicated are Of high official position and
Of them beyond jurisdiction that legal pro
ceedings could not reach the source of the mischief
These considerations and the fact that the of COM
plant a casual occurrence, but a deliberate
design, entered upon with full knowledge of laws and
national policy and conducted by responsible public func
tonares, impelled me TO present the to the British
government order TO secure, only cessation of the
wrong, but its repa ration The subject is still under dis
cussion, the result Of which will be communicated you
in due time
repeat the recommendation submitted 10 the last Con-
gress, that provision be made for the appointment of
commissioner, in connexon with Great Britain
and estab sh the boundary line, which divides the Terri
tory Of Washington from the contiguous British possess
sons. BY of the extent and importance Of the
country dispute there has been imminent danger Of col
son between the subjects Of Great Britain and tho c
zens of the United States including their respective
thorities in that quarter The prospect of speedy
rangement has contributed hitherto TO induce both
sides forbearance asser, by force what each claims
right Continuance Of delay the part OF the gov
ernmens 10 act in the matter will increase the dangers
and difficulties Of the controversy.
Misunderstanding exists the extent character and
value of the possessory rights Of the Hudsons Bay Com
pany and the property of the Puges Sound Agricultural
Company, reserved in treaty with Great Britain rela
tive 10 the Territory Of Oregon have believe
that cesson of the rights Of both companies the United
States which would be the readies of terminating
with view to this end, present the subject the
The colony Of Newfoundland having enacted tho laws
required by the treaty Of the 9Th Of june 1854 IL
placed the footing, respect to commercial inter
with the United States, the ohor British North
American provinces.
The commission, which that treaty contemplated for de-
ermnng the rights Of fishery rivers and mouths Of
rivers the coasts Of the United States and the British
North American provinces has been organized and has
commenced its labors complete which there needed
further appropriations for the service Of another
SOUND DUES.