The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-12-10

sate property upon the ocean,. although Il
might belong TO the citizens OF belIigerent
State, should be exempted irom capture an d
bad that proposition been SO framed as 10
give full effect to the principle, ii would
have received my ready assent on behalf ol
heUni,ed States Rnl the ameasnre propo.
sed l1inadequaie 10 that purpose.
Il is true that If adopted, private property
upon the ocean would be Withdrawn from
one mode OF pfunder, but lefr exposed,
eanwhileJ to- another mode, which could
be used With Increased effectiveness The
aggressive zeapacily Of grsat payai powers
would be thereby augmented, while the de-
feusiye ability Of others you'd be reduced.
Though The surrender Of the, means oi
prosecuting hoslillles BY employing priva-
ieers, as proposed by The conference of Pa
sris, is mutual in terms, yet, in practical ef.
feel, il would be the REIMBURSEMENT Of a
right of little value TO one class of States,
out of essential importance 10 another and q
far larger class. 1t ought not to have been
anticipated that measure, SO inadequate 10
the accomplishment. of the proposed object,
and SO unequal in its operation, would re-
ceiye The assent Of all maritime powers. Pri.
vate property would be siilIlefi 10 the depre.
datious of the public armed cruisers.
lhave expressed a, readiness on the part
Of This government 10 accede TO all the prn-
ciples contained in the declaration of the
conference Of Paris, provided that relating
.tn.lhA- ah---'s-.svns of prryaIeeriEg can be
so amended as TO effect the object for which,
as is presumed, it was intended, the immu-
nifty of private properly on the ocean from
hostile capture. e. s,... ,..,t
To effect this object il is prop posed 10 add
10 the declaration that "privaieering is and
remains a5olshed," the following amend
ment--"And that the private property of
subjects and citizens OF belligerent on the
high seas, shall be exempt from seizure by
the public armed vessels OF the other bellig.
erent, except ilb, contrabaud.' This amend
ment has been presented not only to the
pow ers which have asked our sssent 10 The
declaration to abolish privateering, but to all
other maritime States. Thus far il has not
been rejected by any, and is favorably en-
lertained by all which have made any CON-
munication in reply. ...-a
Z Several of the governments, regarding
with favor the proposition of the United
States, have delayed defnitiye action upon
IL only for the purpose of consulting with
others, parties 10 the conference of Paris
have The satisfaction of stating, however,
that The Empetor of Russia has entirely and
explicitly approved Of thar modification, and
will CO.. speraies in endeavoriEg to obtain The
assent of other powers; and that assurances
of sim liar purporl have been received in
relation 10 the disposition of the Emperor of
the French, ase,ize.
The epresent aspect of this important sub
ject allows US TO cherish the hope lha,
principle so humane IN IFS character, so just
and equal in it's operation, so essential 10 the
prosperity ofrcommercial nations, and so
consonant TO the sentiments of this enlight-
ened period of the world, will command
the appreciation Of all maritime powers, and
thus be incorporated into The code OF inter.
My views oa the subject are more fully
set forth in the reply of the Secretary OF
State, copy of which is herewith transmit
ted, 10 the com mmunicalions on the subject
made 10 this government, especially 10 the
communication Of France. .i.,sg e.- sl...
The government of the United States has
at all times regarded with friendly interest
The other States Of America, formerly,
like this country, European colonies, and
now indef pendent members Of the great
family of nations. But.the unsettled condi-l.
tiun'of some of Them. distracted by frequent
revolutions, and thus incapable Of regular
aud firm intemal administration, has tended
10 embarrass, occasionally, our public inter
course, by reason OF wrongs which our cli
zens suffer at our hands, and which they are
slow TO redress. ~ -.,s 81 5-s4 t-s.f@s s,,...
Unfortunately IL is against the Republic Of
Mexico, with which it is our special desire
10 maintain good understanding, that such
complaints are most numerous; and although
earnestly urged upon its attention, they have
moi as yet received the consideration which
This government had a right 10 expects---
While reparaton for past injuries has been
withheld, others have been added.
The political condition of that country,
however, has been such as TO demand for
bearance on the part Of the United Slates,--
shall continue my efforts 10 procure for the
wornas Of our cilizens that redress which is
Indispensable 10 the continued friendly asso-
Citations Of ihe twofepablics 81 eresao
The peculiar condition of affairs in Nicar-
sgua, in the early part Of the present year,
rendered. il important that this government
should have diplomatic relations with that
State. Through it's territory haisbeen open
ed one Of Che principal thorouehfares across
the is,hinns connecting North and South
America, on whicha vast amount ofsprop-
erty was transported, ond to which our citi-
zens resor,eG in great numbers, inpassing
between the Allanlic and Pacific coasts Of
The United States. The protection of both
required The existing power in that state
should be regarded as a responsible govern
meni aud he minister was accordingly re-
ceived But he remained here only short