Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-08

WASHINGTON, May y, 1898.
Mr. Mason from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons in the Senate to whom referred the resO-
luton of the Senate instructing them to inquire
whether any legislation is necessary 10 enable the
President Of the United Stotes to protect American
vessels against British aggression in the Gulf Of
Mexico or elsewhere, and to whom has also been
referred the message Of the President Of the United
States communicating in answer to a resolution Of
the Senate, information concerning the recent
search OF seizure OF American vessels by foreign
armed cruisers in the Gulf Of Mexico, made his
port this morning The report and resolutions are
of great Importance. taken in connection with the
present state of affairs and also in connection with
the excited condition Of the country upon this sub
jeet Mr. Mason starts out by saying that the series
Of aggressive acts on the commerce Of the United
States in the Gulf Of Mexico and off the West
India Islands, by the naval force Of Great Brit
ain, are Of a character marked and eXtraOr-
binary as TO have forced the attention Of the eoun
try American vessels passing in the paths Of
lawful commerce on the high seas, or passing near
the American coast, from domestic port to
another IN Ter the flag Of their country, have
been pursued fired into, and compelled TO stop, by
the public force Of foreign power-questioned as
to their destination, their cargo and the character
OF their creF-requested to submit to examina-
ton of their seapspers; and scrutiny Of the OBJ
iects and purposes of their voyage. He then re-
cites instances where American vessels, anchored in
the port of a friendly power, have been subjected
to police inquistion by the same foreign power,
and in like manner required TO exhibit their papers
and to submit to questions to their destinations,
the cause Of their absence from home, and the num-
Der and character Of their crew.
In the present position Of affairs, therefore, the
committee fOTbear from recommending any addl-
,ional legislation to enable the President to pro-
tect American vessels on the high seas from the
aggressions Of foreign powers. But they will not
forbear the declaration that such legislation must
be promptly supplied should the result show that it
is seeded TO afford instant aad full immunity to
our vessels engaged In lawful commerce on the
high seas from all arrest moestaiou, detention,
under any pretext from any quarter. The com
mittee finally, in conclusion, recomIaend the adop-
ton Of the following resolutions:
Resolved, As the judgment Of the Senate, that
American vessels on the high seas, in time OF
peace bearing he American flag, remain under the
Jurisdiction Of the country to which they belong
and therefore any visitation, moestatIon or deiea-
ton of such vessels by force by the exhibition
of force on the part Of foreign power, Is in dero-
CATION Of the sovereignty of The United States.
ResolpeG That The recent aud repeated viola
tons Of this immunity committed by the vessels OF
war belonging 10 Great Britain, in the Gulf Of
Mexico and the adjacent seas, by firing inLO inter
rupting or otherwise fOrciby OBTAINING them on
their voyage, requires, IN the Judgment OF the SEN
ate. such uneqGivocal and final disposition Of the
subject by the Government of Great Britain and
the United States touShing the rights involved aa
shall preclude hereafter the occurrence Of like ag-
gressions
RssoE ed, That The Senate FULLY approves the
action Of the Executive in sending 4 naval force
into the infected seas with orders TO protect all
vessels of the United States the high seas, from
search or detention By the vessels Of war Of any
other Nation Aud it is The opinion Of he Senate
if 10 became necessary such additional legislation
should he supplied the Executive power as viii make
such protection effecJual
The Committee on Elections, in the Baltimore
contested election case Of Harris and Whyte, took
A vote this morning, declaring the seat OF the
sitting member, Mr.. Harris, vacant. The vote
stood five to four. The committee viii report the
case next week, when there will probably be 4
minority report made by the Black Republicans,
allowing Mr.. Harris to retain his seat; but they
will fail in their attempt. Harris viii lose his seat
and there will be a new election ordered this fall,
when the Plug Uglies and Know NothiDgs will again
by fraud and force, return this gentleman TO Con
gress Liza