Nebraska advertiser., 1858-06-10
VIC News.

Somehow there has been the past
week alnOlt an entire failure Of nesvs
by our rails, Consequently, we are IN
able to present much of a variety in u
present issue.
The principal topic IN newspaperdom,
Or at head quarters, at present is, relative
to our Foreign Relations" with Great
Britain. Present indications squirt strong
ly toward a ''brush ahead" with John
Bull. We are pleased to see the Admi-
~nistration taking prompt and active steps
to maintain our national honor and rights.
In this it should be cordially supported by
all; without regard to political opinions,
which divide US in four home affairs.
Official statements fully establish the
fact that acts Of aggression by British
cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico have been
50 frequent, and so extraordinary as to
awaken Indignation, and call for atten-
ton on. the part Of our Government.
Orders have been given in Washington
for the preparation of additions to the
Home Squadron, for the purpose of cruis-
ing in the neighborhood of Cuba and
elsewhere to protect at all times the pro-
perry and rights Of American citizens.
The Committee on Foreign Relations
in the United States Senate, on the 2sth
ult., reported:
"No less than fifteen American ships in
the harbor Of Sagua la Grande; and six
on the high seas, are officially reported
as having had to submit to aggressions
from British cruisers. Each additional
arrival brings fresh accounts of agrees
sions by the same power on our flag. It
has hitherto happened in isolated cases,
where similar aggressions have occurred
through misconstruction, that the United
States have been content to accept a dis
claimer Of the attempt, but the continued
and preserving character of these outrages
is such as to arouse the Indignation of the
country, and to require to be arrested at
once, and to end at once and forever, the
~countenanoe of such indignity. The slave
trade is the alleged excuse. The Commit
tee will not discuss that. 1t is sufficient
that the United States, though often in
voked to do so, refuses to recognize the
right of police. They rest on the prA-
ciple that the marine under their flag
cannot be questioned without their con-
sent, and the committee deemed this a fit
occasion to declare it as aprinciple of the
United States, admitting Of no reserve or
qualification, and to be maintained at any
cost.
The Committee refrain from recon-
mending further legislation, only for the
reason that the President has ordered all
our available navy TO the infested waters
with orders to protect our flag. 1t is be-
lieyed that this measure will be ~serviceable
for the present 10 stopping the outrages.
The subject has also been brought to the
notice Of the offending power. both through
the Minister at London and the Minister
at Washington. We cannot, therefore,
until we receive a reply from Great Bri-
tam, decide on measures that will be a
guarantee Of the future, for nothing short
of that will satisfy the American people.
Therefore, while refraining from recon-
mending present legislation, the Commit
tee unanimously
ResolUe5. That American ships at sea,
under the American flag, remain under
the jurisdiction Of the country to which
they belong, and therefore, that any visi-
taton or molestation is an infraction Of
the sovereignty Of the United States.
ResOlUed, That these aggressions demand
such unequivoeal explanation from GreaI
Britain as shall prevent their recurrence
forever.
ResofUed, That the Committee approve
of the action Of the Executive, and are
prepared to recommend such further leg.
~islation as circumstances may require"
The New York Curriers' Washington
correspondence, Of May 2sth, says the
Government expects important intelli.
gence from England by the next steamer
1t is understood that Lord Napier has gi.
ven his opinion that his Government vii
contend for the right of visitation as a
distinct rightOf search. Should dispatches
from Mr.. Dallas confirm that expectation
the relations Of the two countries vii
suddenly approach a easus beQi. The
Administration promises to meet the con.
tingency with vigor. The instructions
thrown out are, that orders viii be giver
to bring in for adjudication all British
armed vessels committing acts of outrage
upon our commerce..
Under present circumstances we are
called to consider the miserable state O
our navy, and on this point quote from tht
Washington Mates.
sOuf little navy is called upon suddenly
to play a most important part in the de
fence of the country. In times Of peace
, and safety. the public mind is apt to fail
into lethargy IN the subject Of our defen