The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-01-07
priyEfepri.IH.

Inc new tbckfbSs Vi IAElS VIM IL - U6AicHtb.
again take up the subject of privateering, and
whilst settling the affairs Of Europe, endeavor to
dispose Of troublesome customer in America, by
= fresh attempt to induce the United States TO
surrender priyateering in wars, the right arm Of
Its naval Efficiency.
j. is the greatest absurdity maginable 10 sup
pose tia, the United States listen for moment
to any such project and we are surprised that Mr.
Marcy, whose astu:eness ability and energy il
the management of his department cannot be
questioned, has consented even 10 suggest an
amendment to proposition which, in no shape OF
form, will the American people for oGe moment
entertain. For it is 8 matter for the American
peopie. by their representative not their EXceD-
tive, to decide, as has been shown by Gen. W, G.
Jones. Of California III a letter to Senator Weller
of that State. If the power, says Gen. Jones, TO
acqaiesce in the proposed change ia international
law exist in the Federal Government at all. it is
an Congress, aud under the lth clause of section
t, article ], Of the Constitution, prescribing that
the Congress shall have power ITO declare wars,
graat letter. of marque and reprissl, and noahe
ra!ee concerning captures on iaaa end cdter.' CcL.
gress therefore, and not the Executive, is the Only
department. Of the Government endowed bS the
Constitution with authority in the premises ard
-
to rspudiate any engagement into which the Ex-
ecutiye branch Of this Government might enter
Cor the surrender Of privateering, Congress would
~ compelled, beyond all doubt, to disown the Su~
thoyi,y which proposed such ruinous sacrifice Of
the vital interests of the country, and renoupce
the obligations assumed ~ Unauthorized agents
MIR. Msrcy's amendment to the French and Eng
lish proposNfon leaves other countries at perfect
liberty to blockade our porrs ana shut az our com
meree, foreign aud coastwise, III our own hafbcrs
We could not return the compliment, for our navy
Il not large enough protect itself from the sqaad
rcua OK two such naval powers as Engand ami
France, much less TO attempt TO blockade Their
p,rts la the mean time, the commerce of the
enemy would have clear sweep Of the seas.
without rivalry or competition, Being relieved
from the necessity of protecting ther own con-
ynerce the fleets OF our adversary could corCeu-
trate upon our shores aud not only shut uD orr
merchantmen, but lombard ana burn down cur
Owns.
We however, agree with Gen. Jones in the
10 ter to which we have referred thai in giving up
priyatearing upon any conditions, even the moditi
cation proposed by the Emperor Alexander-ex-
empting merchant vessels engaged in awfultrades
from the operation Of btOckGdCS-we impose upon
ourselves the absolute necessity of creating and
maintaining navy that can not only cope with
European navies on the high SEAS but protect our
own coasts and carry hostles to theirs. Another
view, which ought TO settle the question, is the
fact Lat in the event of war with England or
France we should be utterly u1sble to proven:
Cuba or Central America from falling into tue
hands of the enemy as their immense squadIons
being relieved from the protection of their own
commerce. could at once surround the island aud
cover both coasts of Central America thus cutting
the Republic in Two, so far its commercial con-
pexions and the transmission of men and munitions
Of war are concerned, and leaving no other mode
of communication but he crcutou5 and hazardous
voyage round Cape lIorn.
1t seems TO US that II would accord best with the
traditional policy the interests and the dignity OF ii
American Republic TO permit the Congress Of Paris
d:sincuy to understand that America is competent
to the regulation of its affairs, and is sufli-
GENTLY c!vilised well as sovereign TO be en-
trusted with the selection of its own mode Of war,
fare. So long retain the power of capturing
merchant vessels at sea, so long we are or foot
Ing of equality in of annoyance with
England and France, and consequently can eplis.
the commercial interests Of those countries, as
they are now and always have been enlisted
against war with the United States.