The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-30
THE OCEAN C-ABLES.
Important Proposal by President Grant.

The difficulties and disputes which have
arisen in connection with the laying OF foreign
! cables on our shores, have determined President
Grant to propose that all the maritime powers OF
the world hold Joint convention for the purpose
of establishing an international agreement OF
protection and neutrality for ocean cables. The
President has, with this view, caused the follow
inc circular letter Of instructions TO be prepared
and sent to all the ministers and diplomatic
agents OF this government in other countries:
DEpARrHEST OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, November Is, ls69.l
Si.-The President thinks the present moment
favorable for the negotiation OF joint conven-
ton by the maritime powers of the world Tor the
protection OF submarine cables. Inc uhlteu
States have peculiar interest IN fostering tue
construction Of these Indispensable avenues OF
intelligence, and in protecting them against
wanton injury. Its domains extend from ocean
to ocean, and its c0mmerce lies Ut regular III.
tervals alike from the rtS OF the Atlantic anu
of the Pacific to tile porto Of Europe and OF Asia.
It's citizens on the shores'of both oceans are In
constant communication with each other across
the Continent both BY the rail ana the telegraph.
This central position In tthc commerce OF tne
world entities the United Estates to Initiate this
movement for the common benefit Of the COM
merce and civilization Of oil. The features winch
the President desires to incorporate into the pro-
posed convention are: 49,, ,
such cable lines, In time OF peace and or war,
against wlful or wanton destruction or injury.
We have seen during the present year the SUP.
marine cable connecting CuDa Win Ihc tnitea y, &C.
terrupted. The President proposes 10 prevent
similar destruction and injury hereafter, by o
Joint declaration that such acts shall be deemed
TO be acts OF piracy and punished as sucn.
SecOn1.-Suitabie provisions to encourage the
future construction OF such lines. Experience has
already shown that the assumption by one nation
TO control the connections with Inc snores ol
another will lead TO complications that may, ull'
less arranged result In preventing all direct tee-
graphic communication between the two cOun-
tries. The President deems that TINS Can DE Dest
prevented in future by preventing that hereafter
no exclusive concession shall be made without
the Joint action of the two governments whose
shores are to he connected. In this way the capital
OF both countries will be enlisted, ana AT the same
time possible causes OF differences VIII be re-
moved.
Third. Provisions against scrutiny OF messages
by government officials. The President THINKS
that the right to establish such scrutiny In lavor
OF the power controlling either end OF the caoe Is
calculated TO lead 10 trouble, and had, therefore,
better be prevented.
draft OF a convention embodyng these points
has been prepared, and is herewith enclosed. IL
will be understood, however, that this Is submit
ted simply as basis for future discussion, snOulu
the leading powers concur with the United States
In considering the subject one for international
consideration and Jurisdiction. The president
Great Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy,
North Germany Austria, Russia, Belgium, ilol-
land, Sweden and Norway, Denmark, Turkey,
Greece, Venezuela, Brazil, the Argentine Con-
federation, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru Ecuador
and Chill, may be empowered TO enter
Jointly and simultaneously into negotiations
with the United States and with each other,
with view OF concluding q JOINT convention lor
the purposes hereinbefore referred to- and instruc-
tions Identical with these issued TO the repre-
sentatIyes Of the United States at each Of those
powers. You will, upon the receipt OF TINS, pro
nose to the cabinet OF -, to give TO It's minis
tcr at Washington powers to enter into such ne
gotiations with the United States, and with the
representatives OF such other powers as may be
empowered for that purpose, and to conclude
with them such joint convention; and you are
at liberty In your discretion, to furnish to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs copy OF these instruc'
tons ;nld their enclosure.
| am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient SER
want HAMILTON FISH,
Secretary OF State.