The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-18
Important Letters Of Secretary Cass.

to MD listers Mnsen and Dallas and also 70 Lord Lyons
- Couv sarses the British and French Ministers " tho
United ases the rights Of neutras on the ocean, ana
10 regard 10 Vie slave trade. They will be found pc
auar interesting those Interested in nese Two impor
mt questions, renectng as they do, the policy Of tho
nts States IN these matters. The documents are writ
sp straightforward manner, devoid Of toas vefoos'ty
md ties which racterze the Stale documents
er ueops We have therefore, given them place In
~ sshhas TO day
Mr.. cAss TO Mr.. nsoN.
DEPARTMENT OF srATr.
The government Of the United States has learned
VIII much that war has brokeo out In Europe
- become one Of the moet contests in which
ussdery nations have found themselves engaged Toe
Ioy If the United States Is essentially psciaG; .na @p
aRcxgs their neutral duties determined ~ lar ~ DC
ps1nG upon themselves, 70 preserve the most sm'
0odge relations with ali the powers engaged IN hos
hiirisy This determination ~i be communicated " es;n
az tS Powers, and you WIZ make kno~n 20 sne go
ment Of his Imperial Majesty am In DONG 30 ys.
VI take express the confident expectation OF the
U5aed States that Their rights VIII be respected oy anse
VIII enua ddelty There apprenen1 thSt IN
tha Of questions Affecting tho rights o.
nyrai nations upon the ocean may present themselves
xx consideration, AID whose peaeeAoe soaaon may re
ass~s discretion AZ well as Tor besrsbce
mo tendency OF modern cv,lizau N aud Improvement
n 20 mitigate the caAmiss OF aud the progress ~
opnIcn has introduced important msorAtops into th-
ooe prosecution, especially upon lana but unfor
onnaely similar eepehcept changes have not oeen al
rat,ed INTO ma i:me war the code whi,h resn
ases these contabs principles OF action no'
sdsp.eo 10 the OF the age which II
b able that by the general eonsen: Of independent
Powers notifications should be mane In these onecRona
- prcipes, so a. 70 toem to the ex'sons
une Of things and that the rights OF heig rent
N0Ds should be restrained within Reasonable limits And
aD0nea With due precision
puverpment concerning these hj>cts and is deemed
tsVor,aut thai they should OF communicated To the Pow
srs OF Europe principally Interested IL The weRhty
mus they involve that Of those Powers shood
D. requested only ~ operate Ia toe effort ~ Accom-
pssh ths COED work, but also zesousy Ia exert US ia
ence With other induce them 70 concur in the
1rspos measure, which appeals by many grave ooo
v.,ous r. esen,soDs Of the tneo States 70 toc Euro
Dean nations will, all fitting occasons explain these
md viii invoke their and towards the attainment OF I'll
shecss Indicated and at the same time they will connu
1eaae tor their information the views entertained o,
- country Of OF International presented
4 ehs letter, which the United States coosler estab
hedAn entitled To the support OF all other Powers
are carry effect these Instructions q,
~ lmpera Court Of France and 10 keep THE department
kRormed to time Of the progress and prospects
q the attempt N restrict The evils OF war and 70 enlarge
md the blessings OF peace.
hrs obvious that the commercial Powers Of the world
regard with little soiC,tude the subject OF neutral
vsh,s; ana ,hsre is general apprehension pre,en
aGbns may be advanced during toe existing war which
ssrnper OF age that present safe
and enforce preensions on the part OF oegerent 70 wer
tensions are clearly jussaed by the Law o.
ahgush Of the provisions OF that code hare become
lrsh and Yet there genera O. the
Susy Of submitting 10 The cations tsmposes But those
ohhyaiions ObecS-pce must depend, not upon
doubtful eons'rnceoI but np"a Clearly sxpreS,so
rsuh,s and ot tue iudep lent parties IN the
ashsons existing between them II is no ortunsse hs'
b8erent Powers in he prosecution OF wars for woich
would bo TO seek any sufficient nsud 'aton IN the
NJ Of Bstops TINS ',derxtcn adds to tho I'm
psrtnuce acceptable arrangement by when this
soa-cs OF apprehension may be removed and all aenger
~ collision avo,aea by clearly defining the rights OF tn
saftts in all doubtful II the balgercnt Powers
should substitute their views tor the far provisions
e the general law the moe consequences may be
nuvre ncpded u becomes all prudent governments
xaaed ID hosttles consideration The sctus
nion OF pubic sentiment wDs never measures Of DOUBT
mi char proposal and satisfy themselves no.
nnr that The, arc alro prac,ic.'y expeaFnt
Sehtp OF eegevcLt Powers which require the
tpasspa,e consideration Of s governments desrous OF
5revep,og the most serious complications Th,e ra.e
- The condst,on u ea1"ys property found 6od,a
AZ re,,I Of Fl, nj ard 10 he systeaa Of Uockcde
Gad eor.ctau q With respect 70 the two last, the
Ons.e, consider it o. the utmost Importance that
spry should be 20 regniaed and oedneo by general
D.nt Leave couc. respecting the questions they
sunhrace, When these cali for practical adjustment
With respect to the protection of The and cargo
Ny the flag which them, the United States look
Sos TIA. principle a. established and they maintain that
Hsui0eysn properly neutral ship isc.e to
sasre and from existing Indications they hope TO receive
s sens san Whs,ever orence Of opinion may
have heretofore prevailed upon this subject ~ certain
GAa. the Claim torc,by 70 enter neutral vessel
CT their being the property OF an enemy, wA'
sss urged at period when the passions OF oeiseron'a
UeYe htte by the dictates Of humanity
NCon and when the question how an enemy could be 10
Snred rather how bs goods could be seized, was
much more acceptable ocJec OF research than why =
Sraend should be spared Almost from the first attempt
porae this doctrine into the maritime code Of the
world has bern denounced by eminent publictsts "a
aacioue principle unjust and dangerous il prac
oe and the repnsnance 70 las gone on increasing t
m adycc bnve almost dissp"ared believe that every
oieri, has practically repudatedi by
entering esty stpalaiioDs, either temporary per
s gsy 'S r s a as The
rrsty and by fcrbis RESISTANCE. The opposition OF HOl
End 70 it has he 81 most unremucd The principal
Powers gagged in the Cr.mean war-Great Britain,
Franco aud Russiaby ferns. public declarations avcwed
Aheir adherence TO the doctrine Of immunity ana their de
tsxpr H. France and Russis absolutely
end without pitson Of time, and Grea, Britain o- the
Pcsent but Tor equally applicable to all times
Hereafter and which viii n. all cali Ger sisr cou
currence THIS adopted, says the British do.
c1aysiun ito preserve the commerce Of neuras from
rhown The justice CT tbs designation and the wisdom Of
-GhB precautionary arrangement No disposition has
pn 10 resume exercise Is 10 DO expected that
such effort were made II would he tAmely submitted
- Contested and nviious Powers are DOT - be thus
uthoraively abandoa"d snd then again called into
Snee at interest cspoe o. any nation. The
sfes engaged in the peudipg have adopted mush
zoA regel and ccgo from III ttcaton. and hare pro
eiassd ~ public declarations tho d,t sou TO respect
= the general interest thai th bu,e been rem
aesed 70 tho opinions OF tie The Stopping VI NEUTRAL
cAa.ls~o end sgr..so e .r c",sos me .eir. Of
etv freight a. the alu Of foreign ooSr the frequent
1w7,1so~ Of hesr voyages by oopan2 Gcni to cAaH >ir
deiedtson order 70 %ek redress, end, a5rc all III.
eswrson # ju-.sdo ty for ign armed party uta,
Lon been ofty termed N: etnssop II II. t.y-Vr- y
dependent STATE and uip oil the abuses ,chca pror.
traceNTdny the ~-yce # uHs-N,d po,o-r aere resios.
Ddty Is Ye,soentse arc snceed sz,ou, 'o5cicn, l.e
Ey 10 Be submitted 10 ir De present dtS Q he ,cor,d ,h
DSt Crmdo,ie tGot e prevent them Such pre,ension.
necessarily lead to the es;atshm meat OF police
great highway Of nations 70 the transfer OF JURISDICTION
lover i,s vessels the country which 1t aaougs
other Powers, who may exercise for their par
Dcsee Far better would be 10 encourage ths frees
~ ipfpy in nd
van 10 encounter the ca'spits, which would be
Ss day 70 attend the attempt 10 revive csm "a obstruct
= trade OF the world This government Is satisfied that
nc such design med,ated under the
M Vsited Scscs feel fed in considering u. frio #
s,a. vi sse ,,;T7r r'fcs. fo<1 carrying teiltere
pryroA n, ssdbshed prsrc,,i< Of in<consmxtcasior
sAsA OUGHT % Be respesed such bQ al conmevodl