New-York tribune., 1867-02-20
MARITIME PRIZES.

aETTFR FROM sFCRETARY sEwARD-IHE RECENT
DECISION on THE GOVERNMENT OF NEw-GREN-
ADA DECLARED NULL AND VOID.
WAsnNGToN. Feb. l9-The following note has
been addressed by Mr.. Seward TO Gen. S;dgar, the
Minister Of the United states of Colombia:
g DETARTMEST OF STATE WssSI.N..1N: s. Fen: ~ lS
sR: The attention of this Government has been dfdWn
10 deere upon tie adjudication Of maritime prizes
made by the President Of the United states Of Colombia
at Rogota on the 18th Of November 1860. which decree il
understood 10 have been officially promulgated - that
yanitaI nv The aforementioned decree IL i declared
frtt that ihe cruisers Of the allied Republics Of the
Pacific. IN the with Spaiu may carry
ticr maritime prizes into any par, Of tho
shal belong to the supreme Federal Court eonioimaby
so The National Constitution and law. il being understood
that the fact OF bringing the prizes shall be proof O the
acquescence Of the sovereign OF the capor t"t thH
sha be adiudged by the sad tribunal II Is declared hY
said decree secondly that the cruisers OF SPAIN m the
mentioned may carry their prizes INTO the ports of
the Republic of Colombia, and that their aDudlcauoh
rha belong the supreme Federal Court, u being un-
derstood that the fact Of bringing The prizes ~ shall he
ad1dged 10y said tribunal IL is declared ~ SAID decree
thirdly that the highest political authority 0f The p"i IN
the oaptOr 10 present The sea-papers Of the vessel
sxamine tIe offcers and mariners which preceding
proofs taken and original documents Of the captured
preme Federal Court that may take jurisdiction OF the
case II is declared by said decree, fourthy, that the
Court may be sold in the ports Of the Republic OF Coom
ba IL is the opinion Of this Government that the De"
cited absolutely contraVenes the law OF nations which
devOves upon the Of the CaptOr exclusive Jus
dction over prizes. and responsibility 10 persons con
eerDed and lawful exercise Of that Jur>Gc-
tiOn The President is OF opinion, further that tue tK
olusive Jurisdiction cannot be, either directly or md-
reetIy delegated or conveyed any foreign power,
whether an ally neutral; aud that no such ally
or nentraI can, in any way. acquire Jurisdiction
over prizes made by belligerent IN any such
manner as is specified indicated III said decree.
The Government Of the United States IL obliged {" sup
nos IL possible that vessels papers other property Of
ttisens of the gned states may by means capture or
otherwise De found the ports OF the Republic of Co
lombia aud he subjected 20 proceedings OF some sort
judicial or oherW under the said decree The Presi
dent therefore deems IL his duty 10 announce 10 an the
belleeTent persons concerned as well a. 10 the United
States Of Colombia that il is held by this Government
in the respects recIted j. entirely nun ana
void against the United States and that may ne tX
pected that the said decree and all proceedings undef IT,
will lie regarded by this Government including Us seNe-
raj executive and judicial authorities having no erect
upon citizens OF the United States upon vessels pa
per-, or other property belonging TO them avail my
ten Of this opportunity 10 the Of
ny most distinguished consideration
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.