The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-01-18


some OF the hazards OF war, has acts do not n-
yolve any breach Of national neutrality, nor oi
themselves mPllcaie the government. Thus.
during the progress of the present war IN Eu-
rope, our citizens have, without national rrSpon-
siblity therefore. sold gunpowder and arms TO
all buyers, regardless Of The destination Of thos-
articles Our merchant men have been, and
>till continue 10 be largely employed BY Great
Britain and France, in transporting troops, pro-
visions, and munitions OF war 10 The principal
seat oimiliiary operations, and in Bringing home
their sick aud wounded soldiers, bat such use Of
oar mercantile marine is not interdicted either
by the International, or by our municipal law,
and therefore does not campromli our neutral
relations with RnSSia
But our municipal law, in accordance with
the law Of nations, peremptofily forbIds, not
only Foreigners, but our own citizens, to fit out,
within the limits Of the United States, vessel
10 commit hos!itieS against any State with
which tha United States are at peace, Or 10 IN
crease the force OF any foreign arned vessel
intended for such hostiiltes against friendly
Stair.
Whatever concern nav have been felt by
either Of the beIligerent powers lest private
armed cruisers, or other vessels, in the ser
vice of one, might be fitted on IN the ports
of this country to dspredate on the property
of the other, all Such fears have provedto be
utterly grpundleSs. Cur citizens have been
withheld from any such act or purpose by good
faith, and by respect Tor the law.
" hie The laws Of the Unlon are thus per-
emptory in their prohibition oi the equipment
or armament OF hrligrreni cruisers in our ports.
they provide not less absolutely that no person
shall. within the territory or jurisdiction Of the
limited States, enlist OF enter himself. or to 90
bryond the limits or jurisdiction OF the United
States with intent to he enlisted or entered, IN
the service OF any foreign State, either as soils
der, or as a marine or SEAMAN on beard q aag
vessel of war, letter Of niarqne, or priyatgpr---
And these enactnrnis are also ~ strict Contoful-
lily with The Law Of nations, which declares,
that no state has the right 70 raise troops or
land or sea service IN another state WHhout lis
consent. and that whether forbidden hs the mo-
nlcipal law or not, the very attempt 10 do Il,
without such consent, is an attack on the ma
tional sovereignty.
Such being the pnblic rights and the mnniei-
pal law of the United States, 10 soictude an
the subject was entertained hy this government
when, year since, the British Parliament pass
ed an act to provide for the pnlistrhfnt Of iof-
eiguerS in the military service Of arsat Br'alg.
Nothing on tie facr Of tfe at. of III Ifs9e coz:
history, indicated lhat the British government
propUStj to attempt recruitment in the nhed
States nor did trvpr give IntimatIon Of such
intention to this government. il was matter OF
surprise, therefore, 10 iiad, subsequently, that
the engagement OF persons within iEP nird
States 10 proceed TO halitoz, in the british pro-
vince Of Nova Scotia, and there enlist ia the
service Of Gfrat Britain, as going on cXttn-
siyrlv, with little or no disguise. Ordinary le-
gal steps were Immediately taken 70 arrest and
punish paftipS concernrG, and so put an end to
acts infringing the nUnIciPal law and d"Foga-
tory 10 our Soeerri1uiy. Meanwhile sGItaa!e
representations Oh the subject were addressed
10 British Government.
Thereupou il hrcame known, by the admis-
SION Of the British government ilsrll, that the
attrmpt to draw recruits from thiS country Of
irinated with it. or at least had lis approval
and sanction but it also appeared that the pub
lie agents engaged in ii had ''StriHgent inStruc-
tons not to violate the municipal law Of the
Unitrd States.
II is difficult to understand how it should
have been supposed that troops could be raised
here hv Great Britain, without violation OF the
municipal law The unmisakeab!e object oI
The law was 10 prevent every such act, which,
if performed must b. either in violation Of the
law, or in studied evasion of ii and in either
alternative, thract done would b. alike lulurI-
Gus to the, sovereignty ofthe United States
la thc meantime, the matter acquired addI-
tionaI Importance, BY their recfoitmentS III the
United STATES not being discontinued. and the
disclosure Of the fact that they were prosecuted
upon a systematic plan devised by official all-
thoritv that recruiting rendezvous had heen
op,nrd IN our principal cities, and depos for
the recepion OF recruits established on our from
tier and thp whole business conducted under
the supervision aud bv the regular cooperation
OF British officers, evil and military, some in
the North American provinces, and some IN the
United States. The completely OF those officers
in an Undertaking, which could only be accom-
pIished by defving our laws, throwing snS-
picjon over our attitude Of neutrality, and dis
regarding orr territorial rights, is concluSlvely
proved by the evidence elected on the trial OF
such ofthpir agents as have been appr~hended
and convicted Some of the officers tins inpIi-
Gated are Of high official position and many oil
them beyond our jurisdiction, 50 that legal PFo-
ceedings could not reach the source OF the ms
chief.
These considerations, and the fact that the
canse of complaint was not mere casual occur
renee, but a deliberate design, entered upon
with tall knowledge of our laws and national
policy, and conducted by responsible public
tunctonaries, inpeled me- 10 present the case
10 the British government, in order 10 secure
not only cessation of the wrong but its repara-
ton. The subject IS still under discussion, the
result of which wll be communicated TO you IN
due time.
BRITISH AMERICAN RELATIONS.