The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-12-13
concluded she made strong appeal to this

government Tor temporary suspension o.
definite action on its part in consideration
of the embarrassment which might result
to her European negotiation by an imme-
date adjustment of the question with the
United States. This request has beef
acceded to upon the condition of that the
sums collected at the 10Th of June last
and until the 10Th of June next, from
vessels and cargoes belonging TO our mer-
chants are to be considerd as paid under
protest and subject to future adjustment.
There is reason to believe that an ar
rangement between Denmark and the
maritime powers of Europe on the subject
will soon be concluded, and that the pen
ding negotiation with the United States
NAV then be resumed and terminated in
a satisfactory manner.
With Spain no new difficulties had arisen, nor
has much progress been made in the adjustment
of pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of
relieving our commercial intercourse with the
Island OF Cuba from some Of its burdens and
providing for the more speedy settlement of
of local disputes growing out of that inter-
course. have not yet been attended to with any
results.
Soon after the commencement of the late
war in Europe, this Government submitted to
ine consideration of all maratime nations two
principles for the security of neutral commerce.:
one that the neutral flag should cover enemies
goods, except articles contraband Of war; and
the other. that neutral property on board mcr-
chant vessels of belligcrcnts should he exempt
from condemnation, with the exception of contra
brand articles. These were not presented as
new rules of international law, having been
generally claimed by neutrals, though not al
ways admitted by belligerents. One of the
parties of the war, Russia. as we'll as several
neutral powers, promptly acceded to these pro-
positions, and two other belligerents, Great
Britain and France, having consented to OBJ
serve ihem for the present occasion, favora
bic opportunity seemed to be presented for OBJ
tanning a general recognition of them. both in
Europe and America.
Bat Great Britain and France, in common
with most Of the States OF Europe, while Tor
bearing to reject did not afiirmatively act upon
the overtures of the United States. While the
question was in this position. the representa-
tives Of Russia, France. Great Britain. Austria,
Prussia. Sardinia and Turkey assembled at Pa
ris took into consideration the subject of ma
ritme rights, and put forth declaration con-
tanning the two principles which this Govern
ment had submitted nearly two years before to
the consideration Of maritime powers, and adj
ded thereto the following propositions: Pri-
watering is and remains abolished and block
AIDES. in order to be binding, must be effective :
that i to say, maintained by a force sufficient
really to preqent access to the coast Of the en-
envy. and to the declaration thus composed of
four points. two of which had already been
proposed by the United States. This Govern
ment has been invited to accede by all the
Powers represented at Paris, except Great Brit
ain and Turkey, to the last of the two addition
al propositions. That in relation to blockades
there can certainly be no objection.
1t is merely the definition Of what shall con-
stitute the eifectual Investment of a blockaded
place-a definition for which the government
has Away contended claiming indemnity for
losses where a practical violation of the rule
thus defined has been injurious to our com.
merce. AS 10 the remaining article of the dec
lamation Of the Conference of Paris-that
privateering is and remains abolished-l can
not a>cribe to tie powers represented in the
Conference of Paris. any but liberal and phil
anthropic views in the attempt to change the
unquestionable rule Of maratimc law in regard
to privateering. Their proposition was doubt
less intended to imply approval of the princi
pie that private property upon the ocean, al
though it may belong to the either of a bel
ligerent State, should be exempted from cap
ture: and had that proposition been so framed
rs to give full effect TO the principal. it would
have received my ready assent on behal! of the
United States but the measure proposed is adj
equate TO the purpose.
1t is true, if adopted private property upon
the ocean would be withdrawn from one mode
ofplunder, but left exposed meanwhile. to an
other mode which could be used with increased
effectiveness the aggressive capacity OF great
naval powers would be thereby augmented.
while the defensive ability of others would be
rcdnccd. Though the surrender OF the means
Of prosecuting hostlites by employing priva-
teers as proposed by the Conference OF Paris
is mutual in terms. yet. in practical effect it
would be the REIMBURSEMENT of right of little
value to one class of States. but Of essential i'm
portance to another and a far larger class.
1t ought not to have been anticipated that
a measure so inadequate to the accomplish
ment of the proposed object, and so unequal
in its operation, would receive the assent OF
all maratme powers. Private property would
be still left to the depredations of the public
armed cruisers. | have expressed rcadi-
ness for this government to accede to all the
principals contained in the declaration OF the
conference Of Paris, provided that relating
to the abandonment of privateering can be
SO amended as to effect the object for which
as is presumed, it was intended, immunity
ofprivate property on the ocean from hostile
capture To effect this object it is proposed
to add to the declaration that privateering is
and rema MS abolished, the following amend
ment:
Sand that the private property Of sui
jects and citizens of beligcrent IN the higl
seas shall be exempt from seizure by the
public armed vessels of the beiligerent. eX-
cept it be contraband."
This amendment has been presented, not
only to the Powers which have asked Oul
assent to the declaration to abolish priva
teering, but to all the other maritime States
Thus far it has not been rejected by any
and is favorably entertained by all who have
made any communication in reply. Severa
of the governments regarding with favor tht
proposition of the United States have delay
ed definite action upon it, only for the pur
pose of consulting with others, parties t.
the Conference Of Paris. l have the salts
faction Of stating, however, that the Empe
FOR of Russia has explicitly approved of tina
modification, and will cooperate in endea
voring to obtain the assent Of other powers
and that assurances Of a similar purpor
have been received in relation to the DISPOSE
ton of the Emperor of the French. Tn
present aspect of this important subject al
lows US to cherish the hope that princpl
so humane in its character so just and equa
in its operations, so essential to the prospe
rity of commercial nations, and so conso
nant TO the sentiments of this enlightened
period of the world, will command the az
probation of all maritime powers, and thu