The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-09

they have seized vessels that were really going to
Matamoras or some neutral port without sufficient
evidence that the cargo was of contraband
character. But it does seem to me, IN spite OF
what my noble friend says, that the government
of this country is bound to take calm view Of
these matters, to represent them fairly 10 the U.
s. Government, and not to presume that the Gov
eminent of the United States would fail in their
duty to friendly power, or that they would
countenance outrages which are against the law
of nations. These representations will be made,
and Iexpect that ifthey are just, reparotion toiN
not be refused. (Hear, hear.) have al.
ready said that what took place at the interview
which | had with the ship owners has not been
fully given. One mistake has certainly been made.
1t is said that expressed surprise at the infor-
nation that certnin British subjects had been
made prisoners and detained 10 place of con-
fnement by the authorities of the United States.
| certainly did not express any surprise, for had
been reading that very morning the representa-
tons not only of our couSuls but ofthose British
subjects themselves who had been so detained,
and detained apparently with great and nnneces-
sary harshness, the object being merely to detain
them in order that they might give evidence in
the prize court. 1t cannot be doubted that there
are precedents showing that when case is brought
before the Prize Court the master Of the vessel
may give evidence Of the real character of the
cargo and the destination of the vessel, and that
be may be detained for that purpose. But it seems
to me tie United States authorities have gone te-
You'd what they fairly had right 10 do. When
we we're belligerentS many cases involving bel
igerent and neutral rights were brought before a
very eminent Judge whose decisions were generally
and universally respected; and, though believe
he carried the principle favorable to captors to
perhaps rather severe length beyond doubt
they we're in conformity with the law of nations.
allude to Lord Stowell. We were the bellg-
erents we are now neutrals
But said | thought it would not become the
character of this nation, because we had changed
our position, to invoke another law and another
measure (cheers) to declare that those decis.
ions OF Lord Stowell, which were advantageous
to US when we were beligerents, should be thrown
aside and rejected by US when we became neu
trails. (Cheers.) Accordingly, those persons
who think that whatever may be the destination
of ship, and whatever papers she may have or
board, showing that she is about TO break thu
blockade, OK to carry arms to some one of thu
Confederate States now in hostility with the Uni
| ted States, they they are to be protected by tn,
|
our own decisions and in contradiction to th,
law of nations will, hope, know that the British
Government never will place itself in that pc
siton. (Cheers.) Let us look impartially al
thesecases which have occurred 1t may be tina
we have suffered grievous wrong it may be tha
we have right to considerable reparation +; bu
let the two Governments treat the cases fairly
We have on this side Of the Atlantic the dec slons
of great Judge; in America they have the
views laid down by Judge Story and the writings
Of Mr.. Wheaton With these authorities to guide
US, let us see who is in the right and who is il
wrong. But let US discuss the circumstances with
wish to do justice to each other. Don't let u:
be led by passion into anything which is moi
founded on justice, and which cannot afterwards
be justified IN the lace of the world. Cheers,