Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-06-03

@rIn the q. S. Senate on Friday last, MI.
Mason, from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, to whom was referred the resolution en-
quiring whether additional legislation was ne
cessary to place power in the hands of the Pre-
sident, submitted report of which the substance
is that official statements show succession of
acts of aggression by British cruisers in the Gulf
| OF Mexico, SO marked and extraordinary as has
awakened the indignation of the country. YES
sells under our flag, pursuing lawful commerce,
have been fired into and stopped, and interro-
gated as to their cargo, destination, crew, &c.
No less than fifteen American ships in the har-
Dor of Sagua La Grande, and six on the high
seas, are officially reported, each arrival bring
ing additional aggressions of the same power on
our flag.
It has hitherto happened in isolated cases,
where similar aggressions have occurred through
|misconception, the United States has been con-
tented to await disclaimer of intent, but the
continued and perseyering character of these
outrages is such as to arouse the Indignation of
the country, and to require us to arrest at once,
and to end at once and forever, the continuance
|of such indignities.
The slave trade is alleged as the excuse, but
this the Committee will not discuss. The Unit
ed States, though often invoked, refuses to re-
cognize the right of police-they rest upon the
principle that the marine under our flag cannot
be visited or questioned without their consent,
and the Committee deem this a fit occasion to
declare it as principle of the United States,
admitting of no reserve or qualification, and to
be maintained at any cost. They admit of no
right of visitation, far less of search. Such have
no foundation in law or country, and cannot be
tolerated by any sovereign power without the
derogat;on of her sovereignty.
The infraction of sovereignty consists in the
visitation. The best American and English au-
thorities, Stowell for instance SO decide, found
ing their views on two principles-frst, the
equality of all independent States secondly,
the comfy of the sea as highway.
| Indignant as the American people are and
ought to be at these aggressions, yet their occur
renee will afford an opportunity to end them at
from recommending further legislation only for
the reason that the President has already order
ed all the available navy to the infested waters
with orders to protect our flag.
| It is believed that this measure will be SER
viceable for the present in stopping the outrages
The subject has also been brought to the notice
of the offending Power both through our Min
lister at London and their Minister at Washing
ton. The Committee, cannot, therefore, until a
reply is received from Great Britain, decide on
measures that will be guarantee for the future
for nothing short of that will satisfy the A
merican people.
The Committee, therefore, while retaining
from recommending any present legislation,
have unanimously
ResolUed, That American ships at sea, under
our flag, remain under the Jurisdiction of the
country to which they belong and therefore that
any visitation or molestation is an infraction of
the sovereignty of the United States
Resolved, That these aggressions demand such
unequivocal explanation as shall prevent their
recurrence forever in future.
Resolued, That the Committee approves of
the action of the Executive, and are prepared
to recommend such future legislation as circum-
stances may require.
The debate in the Senate on these resolutions
indicate settled and unanimous purpose to re-
quire prompt and adequate redress, and future
immunity. Messrs. Mason, Mallory, Hale,
Toor.nhss, Seward, Douglas, Hayne, and Wilson,
all declared themselves of this opinion; and
concurred generally in that construction Of in
ternational law by eminent authorities, which
denies absolutely any right Of visitation upon
the high seas in time of peace.