Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-03-27


York Banks, now laboring with plethora
of gold = Charleston Erc"tag NecS.
The Seizure of the Fillibusters.
The following il Mr. Clingman's report
from tue COMMITTEES on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives, in reference
to Gen, Walkers capture and Commodore
Paulding's conduct on that occasion
The Committee of Foreign Affairs, to
whom was referred the message of the Pres
dent of the United States and accompany
ing documents, relating to the seizure of
William Walker and his followers in Nicu
rogua, having had the same under consid-
Grafton, respectfully report:
That by the action Of the House they
have been relieved from the necessity of
expressing their'Niews on several questions
which seem to be connected with the trans
actions detailed in these papers. The whole
subject of the neutrality laws, considered
with reference to their constitutionality.
cSpedicncy and proper interpretations has
been referred to the Committee on the Ju-
dietary
The question as to how far Commodore
Paulding obcycd the orders of his superb
ors, upon which his merit or damerit as an
officer mainly depends, has been referred to
the Committee on Naval Affairs
The Inquiry as TO whether private rights
have been irterfercd with in these proceed
ings, would seemmore properly to come up
whenever any person aggrieyed shall by
petition or application in some other mode
seek redress.
There remains, however, for the consid-
- fho
questions which directly concern the for
cign affairs of the country. The first is,
whether there has been an invasion Of the
territory of Nicaragua, a foreign State with
which We are on terms of peace and friend
ship. And secondly, whether that act of
invasion, either with or against her consent,
was ofsuch character as that itscould be
properly done without the authority of Con
gross.
Under tho laws of nations no right is be-
licyed to exist by which the United States,
or any of its officers, are authorized 10 en-
tor the territory CT :, .fs;e,.dlyy sarei... ncy
CT and forcible seize and carry away persons
who may be there. And as no such right
has been conceded by treaty with Nioara-
qua, the act of Commodore Paulding. in
torcibly entering her territory and scizinp
William Walker aud his followers, is one
which it is the duty of this government to
dlsavow, and to make satisfaction for. pro-
vided complaint should ever DC made. In
fact, however, your committe have eyorv
reason to believe that this proceeding was
entirely in accordance with the wishes of
the existing government of Nicaragua, and
regarded byit as eminently beneficial. o
Should this be conceded, the xccohfl
question presents itself: Can an officcsS5f
the United States use force under her com.
mand in the territory of a foreign State
with'its assent and for its benefit a. a.
The war-making power belot 6n-
gress, and the right to enter into aliiahs6s.
offensive and defensive, belongs to lie
President and Senate as llIe tteaty-malsipa
power. Inthe absence of ofauthority dariye3
from one of these sources, yopr colnmistis
are of opinion that our officers cannot uta
the forces under their command for any
such purpose, AS these forces are obyious-
ly intended for the service of the United
States, they cannot be rightfully employed
in any foreign State for Its benefit or as its
ally. u is, in the Judgment of YOUR com.
mite, wholly immaterial whether such for
ces are to be employed to se.,Jel from the
State invaders from abroad, to put down
rebellion or iasufreetion there, ,or to aid
tho police ofsaeh State in sappressng dis,
turbancos and popular outbreaks. 10 ac-
knowledge any such right would be In ef-
feet to transfer The war,mal,ing power to.
such officers as might aapTssis S S is.gs s.!.o
command of any pert Of our naval os Mill
tary foeces in the vicinity of any foreign
State tlRt might be in want Of aid. ~
Xour committee are happy 10. find, tla,t
the President concuTs fully in these views
They therefore recommend theadaption of
the'follcwing rcsolutieas;9
ResOlvcd, That inasinach as the United
States can never consent that any foreign
power shall have the right 10 enteriss terri.
IEaSy witifa view Of forcibIy capyiug off
conSSsTson who may Be tharci5 10 il be-
ow6 Sse duty Of the government 10 dis
asclaim al right on. It's part to