Eastern times., 1856-01-03

| '" i"ef Hdt u uhe SttpuidtionS OF The treatv ne
merely future in effect, Great Britain may still
continue to hold the contested portions Of Gen.
trail America.
lhe United States cannot admit either the
inference or the premises. We steadily deny
that at the date Of the treaty Great Britain had
any possessions there than the limited and pc
culiar establishment at the Balize, and main
tain that if she had any they were surrendered
by the convention. This government, having
recognized the obligations of the treaty, has, Of
course, desired to see it executed by both par
| ties and in the discussion therefore has not
looked to rights which might assert inde-
pendentiy of the treaty. in consideration of our
geographical position. and of other circumstanc-
es which create for us relations to the Central
American states different from those of any
government of Europe. The British govern
ment. in It's last communication, although well
knowing the views of the United States, still
declares that it secs no reason why conciia-
tory spirit may not enable the two governments
to overcome the obstacles to a satisfactory ad-
justment of the subject.
Assured Of the correctness of the construc-
tion of the treaty adhered TO by this govern
ment, and resolved to insist on the rgn's Oh
the United States, vet actuated also oy tne
same desire which is avowed by the British
government IN remove all causes of serious mis-
| understanding between two nations associated
together nv 80 many ties of interest and kim
dred. il has appeared to me proper not to con-
alder nm amicable solution of the controversy
hopeless There is, however, reason to appre-
hend, that with Great Britain in the actual oc-
cupation of the disputed territories, the treaty
therefore is practically null SO far as regards
| our rights. As this international difficulty
| cannot remain long undetermined without in
vovng in serious danger the friendly relations
| which it is the interest well the duty of
both countries to cherish and preserve, it will
afford me sincere qualification it future efforts
shall result in the success anticipated hereto
fore, with more confidence than the aspect of
the case permits me now to entertain.
| RECRUITMENT.
One other subject of discussion between the
United States and Great Britain. has grown
out of the attempt which the exigencies of the
war in which she engaged with Russia,
induced her to draw recruits from the United
States.
1t is the traditional and settled policy of the
| United States to maintain impartial neutrality
during the wars which from time to time oc-
cur among the great powers of the world; per-
forming all the duties of neutrality towards the
respective belligerent states, We may reasonably
expect them not to interfere with our lawful
enjoyment of its benefits. Notwithstanding
the existence of such hostilitics, our citizens
retain the individual right to continue all their
accustomed pursuits by land or by sea, at home
or abroad. subject only to such restrictions in
this relation the laws of war, or usages of
nations or special treaties may impose ard it
is our sovereign right that our territory and ju-
risdictions should not be invaded by either of
the belligercnt parties for the transit of their
armies, of operations, of their fleets, the levy
| of troops for their service, the fitting out of
| cruisers by OF against either, or any other act
| or incident of war. And these undeniable
rights of neutrality, individual and national,
the United States will under no circumstances
surrender In pursuance of this policy. the
laws of the United States do not forbid their
citizens to sell to either of the belligerent pow
ers articles contraband of war, or to take mu-
nitions Of war, or soldiers on board their pri-
vate ships for transportation and. although in
SO doing, the individual citizen exposes his
property person to some of the hazards of
war, his acts do not involve any breach of neu-
trality, nor of themselves implicate the gov
ernment. Thus, during the progress of the
present in Europe, nur citizens have with
out national responsibility. therefore. sold gun
powder and arms to all buyers, regardless of
the destination of those articles.
Our merchants have been, and still continue
to be, largely employed by Great Britain and
by France in transporting troops, provisions.
| and munitions of to the principal seat of
military operations, and in bringing home their
sick and wounded soldiers. But such of
our mercantile marine Is not interdicted, either
by the international or by our municipal law,
and therefore does not compromise our neutral
relations with Russia. But our municipal law
in accordance with the law of nations. peremp-
toriIy fnrbids, not only foreigners, but our own
citizens, to fit out within the limits of the Unit
ed States vessel to commit hostiIiiies against
u-itb eb FOL
peace. or to increase the force of any foreign
armed vessels intended for such hostilities
against friendly state.
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either OF the belligerent powers lest private
armed cruisers or other vessels in the service
of one might be fitted out in the ports of this
country to depredate on the property of the
other. all such fears have proved to be utterly
groundIess. Our citizens have been withheld
from any such act or purpose, by good faith and
by respect for the law.
While the laws of the Union are thus per-
emptory in their prohibition of the equipment
or armament of belgerent cruisers in our ports.
they provide not less absolutely that no person
shall. within the territory o. jurisdiction of the
United States. enlist or enter, or to 90 beyond
the limits oIjurisdiction of the United States
with intent to be enlisted or entered in the ser
vice of any foreign state, either a soldier
as marine or seaman on board of any vessel OF
war. letter of marque. or privateer. and these
enactments are also in strict conformity with
the law of nations, WHICH declares that no state
has the right to raise troops for land
vice in another state without its consent, and
| that whether forbidden by the municipal law
or not. the very attempt to do it without such
consent is an attack on the national sovereignty,
Such being the public rights and the municipal
law OF the United States, no solicitude on the
subject was entertained by this government,
when year since. the British parliament pass
| ed 'an act to provide for the enlistment of for
rigners in the military service of Great Britain.
Nothing on the face of the act or in the public
history indicated that the British government
proposed to attempt recruitment in the United
States. nor did it ever give intimation of such
intention to this government. 1t matter
of surprise, therefore. to find subsequently that
the 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, was going on extern
sively with little no disguise. Ordinary le-
lal steps Immediately taken to arrest and
punish parties concerned. and so put an end to
acts infringing the municipal law, and deroga-
tory to our sovereignty. Meanwhile suitable
representations the subject were addressed
to the British government. Thereupon it be-
came known by the admission of the British
government itself, that the attempt to draw re-
cruits from this country originated with il, or