Correspondence Concerning Claims Against Great Britain: General appendix. Parliamentary and judicial appendix

following the abuse of the right of search.
The United States waited for the consent
of the great maritime nations to this doc-
trine before concluding treaties with minor
powers. Mr. Buchanan is of opinion that
Great Britain will yield in this matter to
our wishes and the desires of European
governments. Lord Clarendon commended
highly our neutrality law (of April 20,
1818) as superior to that of England, es-
pecially in regard to privateers. Mr.
Buchanan suggests that the President
issue a proclamation after the war shall
have commenced, exhorting the proper
authorities to be vigilant in executing

this law.

25 Mr. Buchanan to Mar. 17 Giving account of interview with Lord

Mr. Marcy.

Clarendon, in which the latter read her
Majesty's forthcoming declaration in re-
gard to neutrals, conforming to American
doctrine in regard to blockade, and waiv-
ing right to issue letters of marque. Mr.
Buchanan stated strongly his approbation
of the course therein indicated. Lord
Clarendon spoke of the difficulty in chang-
ing the former practice. He had repeated-
to the cabinet his conversation with Mr.
Buchanan, which had been influential in
inducing them to adopt this liberal policy
toward neutrals. Although the declara-
tion had not been finally revised by the
cabinet, its principles would not be
changed.

Mar. 24 Referring to conversation with Lord Claren-
don about privateering. Lord Clarendon
spoke strongly against it as contrary to
modern civilization, and complimented
highly the treaties of the United States
with different nations, stipulating that if
the subjects of one of the parties, being
neutral, accept commissions to cruise
against the other from an opposing belli-
gerent, they shall be punished as pirates.
Mr. Buchanan says that these ideas were
doubtless suggested by apprehensions that
Americans would accept privateering
commissions from Russia, and that though
his lordship did not propose such a treaty
that was evidently his drift. In answer,
Mr. Buchanan admitted abuses of priva-
teering, but thought we could not agree to
its abolition, unless naval powers would
consent to total abolition of war upon
private property at sea as on land. This
policy, he thought, was dictated by Chris-
tianity and civilization, and would be
supported by the United States.

27......do

Mar. 31

Her Majesty's declaration, referred to in
dispatch of the 17th, has given great sat-
isfaction to diplomatic representatives in
London, and is more liberal than was ex-
pected.

669

Mr. Marcy to Mr.
Buchanan.

1854. April 13

Expressing satisfaction of United States
government with the two main points of
course indicated by Lord Clarendon to be
pursued by British government in the
event of a European war. France is ex-
pected to follow the same course. Both
Great Britain and France would like
to enter into treaty with United States,
stipulating that the subjects of either,
being a neutral, who should accept priva-
teering commissions from an opposing
belligerent to cruise against the other
party, should be treated as pirates. The
United States government would not con
sent to a convention totally suppressing
privateering, which would preclude it
'from resorting to its merchant marine in
case of war. The government trusts Great
Britain will not adhere to her doctrines
in regard to blockade and neutral trade
with belligerents asserted during wars
after the French Revolution. The "right
of search," if exercised against us harshly
in the approaching war, will excite deep
and wide-spread indignation.

Mr. Mason to Mr. Mar. 22 Refers to the difficulty of combined action
Marcy.

14......do

between France and England in regard to
neutrals, on account of the difference in
their hitherto adopted policy. Has en-
deavored to impress upon the French gov-
ernment that the United States would not
be satisfied except by the recognition of
those liberal principles which she has
always maintained, and that, should these
principles be adopted, our government
would have no difficulty in preserving
neutrality. He regards the occasion as
auspicious for the establishment of our
cherished doctrines on this subject.

Mar. 30 Inclosing slips from Moniteur, containing
report of minister of foreign affairs and
Emperor's declaration on subject of neu-
trals, letters of marque, &c. Mr. Mason
thinks these documents will prove satis-
factory.

Mr. Bille to Mr. Jan. 28 Communicating the policy of strict neutral-
Marcy.

ity resolved upon by the King of Denmark
in concert with the King of Sweden and
Norway in reference to the war declared
by the Porte. Belligerent, war, or mer-
chant vessels may enter Danish ports, the
government reserving the right to inter-
dict them from the port of Christiana.
Privateers will not be admitted to any
Danish port or anchorage. Belligerent
vessels may purchase anything in Danish
ports, except contraband of war. Prizes,
except in distress, must not enter Danish
ports. Danish vessels and cargoes should
receive every security from belligerents.
The King deems these regulations to be
conformable to the law of nations.

125

Mr. DeSibbern to Jan. 28
Mr. Marcy.

Mr. Marcy to Mr.
Bille, and (mu-
tatis mutandis)
to Mr. De Sib-
bern.

Communicating the policy of strict neutral-
ity resolved upon by the King of Sweden
and Norway, in concert with the King of
Denmark, in reference to the war declared
by the Porte. Belligerent, war, or mer-
chant vessels may enter his ports, the
government reserving the right to inter-
dict them from the port of Christiana.
Privateers will not be admitted to said
ports or to anchorage. Belligerent vessels
inay purchase anything in said ports ex-
cept contraband of war. Prizes, except
in distress, must not enter said ports. The
vessels of Sweden and Norway, with their |
cargoes, should receive every security
from belligerents. The King deems these
regulations to be conformable to the law
of nations.

Feb. 14 Acknowledging his note of 28th communica-
ting neutral policy determined upon by
the King of Denmark. The views of the
Danish government have been submitted
to the President. The government and
people of United States are deeply inter-
ested in course of events in Europe.

Mr. Schroeder to April 10 Inclosing copy of Swedish ordinance defin

Mr. Marcy.

Mr. Marcy to Mr. May
Seymour.

ing rights and obligations of Swedish
people engaged in commerce and naviga-
tion. Swedish vessels must have proper
documents and must not hoist a foreign
flag. Where Swedish ships are abroad
with insufficient crews neutral seamen
should be enlisted in preference to subjects
of belligerents, and in no case should the
latter exceed one-third of the crew.
changes in the crews of Swedish vessels
should be entered and attested before the

Such

proper authorities. Swedish ships are
forbidden to attempt to enter blockaded
ports, and to carry contraband of war,
dispatches, or troops. Belligerent vessels
may bring into or take away from Swe-
dish ports anything except contraband of
war. Swedish subjects must not fit out,
or take service in, privateers. Privateers
will not be admitted to Swedish ports,
except in distress, nor shall captures be
adjudicated or sold in Sweden, and Swe-
dish subjects must not purchase captured |
goods. Swedish vessels, unless under
convoy, must show their papers. Swedish
ships observing the above regulations
should enjoy free navigation, and will re-
ceive support from ministers and consuls
abroad, should this right be violated;
protection cannot, however, be extended
to those disregarding them. In case of
seizure of a Swedish ship, the captain
inust report the circumstances to Swedish!
consul.