The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-26


question passage halpast three o'clock the House
adjourned. #fag #t
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
sHl STATES,
Communicating in compliance with resolution Of the
Senate of the 10th instant copy OF the Instructions sene
to Mr.. Buchanan relative to free ships making fret
goods, and Mr.. Buchanan's letter to Lord Clarendon
thereupon
10 Tho Senate Of the United States
i transmit report from the Secretary of State with
accompanying documents in to the resolution Of
the Senate Of the 10th Instant rpANrr,N p,rpcr
WAsuNeros, June ls 1856.
s@ DrpAarMENr or STATE,
aaan 8].s Washington, June is, 1856.
The Secretary Of State to whom referred resolu-
ton Of the Senate Of the 10th instant requesting the Pres
dent il in his Judgment the public interest admit Of it,
communicate that body "a copy Of the instructions sent
by this government TO Mr. Buchanan late minister 70 Eng
land the subject Of free ships making free goods and
ct has the honor to lay before the President the accom-
panyins ksspsc;to,v pspsss; submitted W. = MARCY.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SrArEs
Mr. Marcy to Mr.. buchanan.
mo 52.l DErARrMKsr OF STATE,
Washington, August 7, 1854.
Sin: The government of the United States as you
aware has strenuousy conended for the doctrine that free
ships make free goods conaband articles excepted There
is not believe maritime power which has incerpo
rated it in some of its treaties but Great Britain which is
the considerable of them has constantly refused TO
regard it rule of international law Her admiralty
have rejected it and have followed after them
When Great Britain and France Mt the commencement Of
the present with Russia agreed TO act upon that prin-
cple for the time being, this government believed thata
fair presented for obtaining the general
of commercial nations to recognise II as principle OF
the law of nations An nmation of wish on the part of
the United States accomplish this object conveyed
to Mr. Seymour minister in Russia, and by him made
known the government of that country. The Emperor
very promptly furnished bis representative here with full
IN thn subip
into the 22d day of July and concnrred in by the
Senate on the 25th of that month BY direction of the
President herewith send to you proet OF similar con-
yention to be proposed her Britannia Msjesy govern
France well other powers will also be invited
TO enter into the arrangement With view to pre-
vent delays and embarasments the proposed agreement
embraces but raes-irs that Stree ships make free
goods except articles contraband Of and second that
the property of neutras being conraband found
board OF enemies vessels shall be exempted from consca
ton This latter rule is not like the first contested yet
there obvious propriety in embracing both IN the
same arrangement Were il omitted Ii might be again
Questioned consequence OF the establishment OF the prin
cpe that the neutral flag protects the property under Il
An attempt might be made TO infer from that principle
that the flag determined the character OF the property un
do not apprehend any serious opposition to the
posed convention except from Great Britain Bnt for her
resistance TO the principle that the neutral flag protects
the property which it covers II IT be not conuanano
would long ago have been regarded n weil-esaoshea
rule of International law She has impliedly admitted s
Justice by adopting the guide OF her conduct In the
presen, war If 1T fair towards neutrals to act upon
now, win be difficult for her TO devise good reasons or
not observing it in all future wars.
am confident you will be able to overcome any reluct-
ance on the part the government OF Great Britain 10
adopt Il as a rule of international law. ~
With this instruction you will receive the Presidents
full power to conclude the proposed convention.
| am sir respectfully, your obedient servant
W. L. MARCY
JAMES BUCHANAN Esq. &c, &c, &c
Mr. Buchanan 10 Mr. Marcy
[ExuaetJ
\ rNo sI1 LEGATION THE UNITED STATES,
NU London, August 81, 1855.
sa have the honor transmit TO you the copy OF
note of Yesterdays date which have sent 10 Lord Caren-
don proposing epart OF The United states 10 eoneuoe
Convention with Great Britain on the subject of neutral
rights in compliance with your instructions mo- b2) OF
the 7th August, 1853.