Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-09

constitute large portion of the distinctive policy by which
the United States have developed the of cont
have the respect and confidence Of many nations
These principles laid down for in 1904 by James
Madison when Secretary of State in the administration
Thomas Jefferson, instructions given to James Monroe
our Minister England. Although the before him
incidentally the subjects of the present discussion
he assumed then was the same now occupy and
the arguments by which he sustained himself upon heya
been a inspiration me in preparing this reply.
Whenever he says. property found in neutral yes
sci supposed to be liable any ground to capture and
condemnation the rule in all that the question shall
nor be decided by the captor but be carried before
captor hismself liable to dama ges for an abuse of his
power Can II be reasonable, then just, that beger
ent commander who thus restricted and thus responsible
IN case OF mere property OF trivial amolEt should be
mitted without recurring to any tribunal whatever
question Of their respective allegiance and carry that de
cison into execution by forcing every individual he
choose into service abhorent to his feelings cutting him
on from his most tender exposing his mind and
his to the most Illuminating discipline and his life it.
self to the dangsr' Reason justice and humanity
nDite in protesting again st exravagaut Oceedng
If decide this in favor of my government.
mnst davow its most cherished principles aid and
forever abaf don its essential policy The unty cannot
afford the sacrifice. If maintain those principles and al
here to that policy must surrender the itself 1t viii
be seen therefore that this could not deny the
justice Of the claim presented to in this respect
merits We asked to by the British nation ut what
we have alwa insisted all nations ought to do to
The claim of the British Government is made in a
disconrteous manner This Government since its first
ganzaton has never uscdmnre guarded language in SIM
liar
In coming my conclusion have forgotten that if
the safety this Union required the detention of the
tured persons it would be t. right and duty ct this gov
detain Them But the efactual check
ming proportion of the existing nsurreciop II as the
comparative unmporaaee of the tured persons them
selves when dspassienately weighed, happily forbid
from resOri,g to that Defence
am unaware that American citizens not, in any
to he unnecessarily surrendered for purpose
the keeping of foreign State Only the captured persons
however others who Interested In them could Justly
| raise question that ground.
Nor have been tempted at all by suggestions that
might history where Great Britain
that which before Those occurred when
Great BIaia well the United States the home
generations which with all peculiar interests and pas
sions have passed away. She could her way
fectuly dEavow any such inju think she does by
assuming her own the ground which then
stood 1t would tell little for claims to the character
just magnaDimous people if should consent
injuries from their graves to oppose against what natona
consistency and the national conscience compel
gard a claim intrinsically right.
Putting behind me ali suggestions OF this kind. prefer tC
express my satisfaction that by the adjustment Of the pres
upon principles cOnessedy American and yet
trust mutually satisfactory to both OF the nations
cerned question finally and rightly settled between
peaceful discussion but also the arbtrament OF
SELF for than half century alienated the two
tries each other and perpexed with fears aud apPre
tensions all other nations.
The four persons in question held in military
tody Fort Warren m the Sase of MassaChuett They
will lie chCerfuy liberated. Your ordship will please
dictate time and place for receiving them.
avail myself of this occasion to offer to your LoTshp
renewed assurance Of my very high consideration
H.