Those English journals which have been growing owlish over the canards of the Newfoundland Royal Gazette, on the subject of American letters of marque, can ascertain from the Constitution of the United States, (Article 1, section- 8, clause 11,) that Congress alone has power “to grant letters of marque and reprisal.” By referring to history they may find that the last exercise of this power by Congress was in connection with the war of 1812, and that the law then enacted has long since become obsolete by its own terms. The President has no mere power to grant letters of marque, without the action of Congress, Hum the board of brokers in Wall street have to lay an embargo on navigation.
Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL