New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-27
INTERVENTION AND NEUTRAL RIGHTS


to the control Of the Government Of tho presensa Al.
ministraton the Chief Magistrate, through cur a.
partnent of Foreign Relations, brought 70 tho hoovL
! edge of the European Governments bic Fixed pur.
poae to uphold maintain and defend the integrity of
tho Unity against all domestic treason and foreign
interference. In the pursuit Of THE purpose, tba
United States according to tho usages Of interpa.
tiousl law declared the ports Of the refractory State
to be under blockade. We had illustrated our shi,.
lily to maintain this policy by our embargo and non.
intercourse laws in the early part Of the present cen,
tury. limitations from the British Foreign Secrs.
tsry and bis representative, tho British Minister A
Washington, were cautiously put forth Of our ina.
bty to maintain this effective blockade accOrair,
to the requirements Of the laws Of nations. Il vss
proposed by the British representative that the riQbt
TO trade to the nierdiced ports should continue until
some formal notice should be given to the different
foreign governments Of commercial nations. Our
Government. justly let it be distinctly UNDERWOOD
tina; proper notice couli and would bs given from
the decks OF our blockad,ng squadron. Sinu'tane.
ously with these proceedings leading English msr-
chants in Liverpool formally and publicly proposed
to Lord J. Russell the fitting out if not dissentedto
by him. Of IN armed force to break the blockade and
orciby export the great staple Of the South Tney Do.
Iberately asked the British Government to give ia
countcnance despo their transatlantic neighbors.
The British Government were not prepared in thu
public way to do violence to souud Internationally
and TO the moral sentiment Of tho civilized world.
The Administrator. alive to the neces.ty Of
getic action promptly dispatched TO the Courts Of
the Weetern Powers two distinguished citizens to
London and Psris. These ENJOYS were expected
soon TO reach their destination, their appointments
having been publicly announced through the pres
a.
medately npon Tie opening OF In the new Admins.
Mr.. Adams, reached Liverpool, and the day follow.
ing London, IN order that the British Government
might be early apprised Of the views and purpose
of TIE American Cabinet. The British Goverpmeus,
however, on that very day, issued the Queens or.
der, in council With p6aI isaicsl words Of neutrality
in regard to domestic trouble, virtually, and Ii
fact recognizing tie insurgent States 80 begerepts
and 10 hat respect plac ng them on an equal foot.
ing with the United States. Looking TO tho imm]
understanding with the European Powers In refer.
ence to tue principles of public law which bsd been
enunciaied in the Paris Conferences In April, 1856,
with the several maritime Powers Of Great Britain,
Austria, France, Russia, Prussia, Sardinia, a1d Tur.
KEY, our State Department instructed our Ministers
az St. James and other Courts resume the subject
of the four proportions that had been agreed upon
by the Congress ut Paris after the close VI tie CD
mean war. The matter bad occupied the attention
Of the Pierce Administration when an invitation had
to the treaty which the result Of the Pas Con.
fercnces. Those Conferences in April, 1850, e@gs
nized as principles Of public law tho following Der
laration:
First. Privateering Is abolished.
SscoRd: Neutral flag covers eneYny'e goods, cas
trabsDd Of war excepted.
THird. Neutral goods ore not liable 10 capture
under enemy flags, except those conlrabsnd Of VA.
Fou,M Blockades, IN order TO be binding, maa
be 90 Effectively enforced as 70 prevent access to s
coasts of the enemy.
II was stipulated by those Powers that thess De-.
larations were to be accepted without any mod flea,
ton whatever, and further, that the parties giving
in their adherence to the enter into arrange
ment in the application Of maritime law 10 time OF
war, without stipulation, or strict Observance d
the points TINS agreed upon. The secoud OF these
propositions was a principle that the American pso-
ole had conteuded for from the foundation Of the
Republic. l, was, in fac, the principle the, fres
ships make free goods stipulation emhoded IN me
twenty third article OF the treaty Of amiy ana eon
merce concluded on the 6h day OF February, lUS,
bet ween the United States and France, when We
were struggling for national existence. II was
therefore, old American do;trine ihe said second
with the high contracting parties a. the Congress OK
Pars in 1885, because two years previous the Presl'
dent had Submitted 10 the mar time Powers OF Ea-
rope the same propositions, 10 DC agreed uP0nss
permanent principles Of International law. Inc
fourth proportion was never sputed by this Gov.
erument; on g contrary, it was always scqulesced
in by the United States, everywhere. and under al
circumstances. The first proposition remains TO %
teering. The Secretary of Stite--ur. Marcy-unier
President Pierce, In July 1885, declined this siipu-
stion ia regard TO the abolition Of prvsteenng, an'
less with amendment expressy exemptiDg private
property OF individuals, though belonging TO Q BEL
gerent Power, from seizure or coniseaiion by na-
tonal ships IN time Of war; and further tsok ex.
cepton toihe proposition that this Government shonh
disable itself from entering into any negotiation
for any modification OF the laws Of maritime WAY
without STIMULATING Gn adhe ence to the fonr points
of the Paris declaration. This ast proposition was
held by Mr.. Marcy 10 be inconsistent with ne
uatioual sovereignty Of the United States. lie
grounds taken Tor Mr.. Marcy amendment to the
first clause for abolisLing privsteeripg to WIZ me
exemption Of private properly Of bellgereM ir01
CONTRIBUTION exhibits a humane enlarged and lbe@i
spi il on the part of the American people. II was
simply this, that while armies by land aud fleets a.
sea were Engaged in battle for victory, the pesce1
pursuit. Of trade should 60 uninterrupted, regard
ing the destruction OF private property on the ss
oensiye to the morale and civilization Of the age
the destruction of private property on land A vac
propositions VI the Paris conferences were 70 y
taken together without modification, OF reiec'ea,
nothing was definitely done In the premises daiiS
Mr.. Pierecs Administration. and during that Of M;
buchanan all conferences on the part Of the Cnneo
States in regard 10 the matter came to an END. "
doubtedly, tho leading obstacle was the propotipa
to abolish priyateerpg, thai right arm OF our deien
as great commercial power, with thea ineonfS.es
able navy II was quite easy for nine'tenhs 95 mo
parties Who gave in their adherence TO the sSn
conferences oagrec TO in.erdict against priyaee
ing, when, perhaps, their commercial marine
not Il sufficient to fit out single v.s,el EOg ss
France had been in constant AID jostlas n,al! En-.
tho building up, within the last two years. Of SS
tic navier, Ringing from seven to es.t t na-
.hin.-of.war ne guar sntes to each other 70 x,eP
na.es nj home. The late Duke OF Welhigs..
announced in his place in the House Of LORDS ~
comn,rariyely defenseless condition Of -.
Enal;sh coesis in view Of tie formidable aroslen