Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-12-05

sioners, not only rs TO tho precise
point where the rivers terminate, but
in many instances rs 10 what consil-
tutes river. These difficulties may
be- overcome. however. by resort to
the umpirage provided for by the trea-
~.
The efforts perseyeringly prosceut.
ted since the commencement Of my
administration, 10 relieve our trade to
the Baltic from the exaclion OF sound
dues by Denmark. have not yet teen
attended with success. Other Govern
menls have also sought 10 obtain a
like relief to their commerce, and Dem
mark was thus induced to propose an
arrangement to NIL tho European Pow
ers interested In the subject; aud the
manner In which her proposition WAS
received, warranted TO believe that n
satisfactory arrangement with them
could soon be concluded.
She accordingly made strong APP
peal 10 this Government for lempora'
ry suspension Of definite acton on It's
part, In consideration Of the ombar'
rassment which might result 10 hen
European negotiations by an immedi'
ate adjustment Of tho question with
tho United States. This request has
been acceded TO. upon tho condition
that the sums collected after the 10th
Of June last, and until tho 10th oil
June next, from vessels and oargoea
belonging to our merchants. are TO b
considered rs paid under protest and
subject to future adjustment. There
Il reason to believe that an arrange.
ment, between Denmark and the
maritime powers Of Europe ION the
subject. will DO soon concluded. and
that the pending negotiation with the
United States may then BIO resumed
and terminated In q satisfactory man.
ner.
With Spain no new difficulties have
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 tho Island Of Cuba
Of some Of ia burdens. and providing
for tho moro speedy settlement Of To-
cal disputes growing GU! OF thol inter-
course. have not yot been attended
with any results.
Soon after the commencement OF
The late war In Europe. this govern
ment submitted 10 the consideration
Of oil maritime nations. two prinoi.
Piles for the security OF neutral COM
merco: one, that the neutral dag
should cover enemies goods. except
articles contraband OF war; and the
other, that neutral property on board
merchant vessels Of belligcranls sho'd
be exempt from condemnation, with
the exception OF contraband articles
These were not presented rs new rules
OF international law; having been
generally claimed by neutrala. though
not always admitted by bolligerants.
0no OF the parties to tho war-Rus-
sia--as we'll a. several neutral powers,
promptly aeceded 20 these proposi-
lions; and the two other principal bel
ligerenls. Great Btitaln aud France,
having consented to observe them for
the present occasion, favorable OPP
por,unity seemed to DO presented for
u general recognition OF them both In
Europe and America.
But Great Britain and France. In
common with most OF the states Of
Europe, while forbearIng 10 reject,
did not allirmaIiyely act upon the
oyertures Of the Uniled States.
While tho question was In this po.
sllion. the representatives OF Russia,
Franco. Great Diltain. Austria. Prus-
sia. Sardinia. and Turkey. assembled
al Paris, took into consideration the
subject of maritime rights. and put
forth declaration containing tho two
principles which this government had
submitted. nearly two yeara before. to
the consideration Of maritime powers,
and adding thereto the following prop
osllions: "Privateering Is and remains
abolished" and "Blockades, in order
to DO binding. must DO effective. thai
Ia to shy. maintained by force. sulii'
cient really. 10 prevent access 10 the
coas. of the enemy" and to tho dec
Iaration thus composed OF four points
two Of which had already been proposed
by the United States, this government
has been invited to accedc by oil tbs
powers represented at Paris, except
Great Britain aud Turkey. To tho LAS
OF the two additional proposlllons--lhat
In relation to blockadcs--thero can Ger
talnly be no objection. II Is merely III,
definition OF what shall constitute th,
efectual Investment OF blockaded
place, a definition for which this govern
mont has always contended, claiming in
demnlty for losses whore practical vic
lation OF the rule thus defined has been In
furious 10 our commerce. As 70 the re-
managing Article OF tho declaration OF
the conferences OF pars--'ihat prlvatee
ring 10 aud remains abolishedp--I Ger
tainly cannot ascribc to the powers rep
resented In the cQpfsronco OF Paris, AM
but liberal and phllanthroplc view In IN
attempt to change the unques,ionabl
rule OF maritime law In regard TO priva
teering. Their proposition was doubt
less intended TO imply approval OF III
principle that private property upon tn
ocean although II might belong to th
citizens OF belligerent State, shout
DO exempted from capture; and had this
proposition been 50 framed as to Civ
full effect to the principle, II woul
have received my ready assent on b.
half Of the United States. But III
measure proposed Is inadequate TO th
purpose. 1t Is true that II adopted
private property would DO withdraw
from one mode OF plumber. but loft ca
posed meanwhile. to another mod,
which could be used with increase
effectiveness. The aggressive capac
ty Of great naval powers would there
! by be augmented. whilo the defenslv
ability Of others would be reduced
Though the surrender OF the means
prosecuting hostililies by employiu
privateers. rs proposed by the confer