Daily National Intelligencer

The following observations refer to some remarks in this paper, of the 15th instant, and are copied in justice to the editor of the Register, by whose polite explanation we are much gratified :

FROM NILES'S WEEKLY REGISTER.

SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

I am entirely satisfied that the editors of the National Intelligencer are incompetent to put a construction upon any thing I have to say, that they do not believe it ought fairly to bear : but, in some remarks on an article in my last number, on "Spanish American Affairs," they have made a prominent figure of what I meant as a collateral, and have overlooked the circumstance that seemed to give it force, even as such. I never wrote a line to encourage the opinion that American citizens, fighting under the patriot flag, were entitled to the protection of their country, unless something in the article referred to may be so construed. I may have been unfortunate in my manner of expressing myself, but the idea intended to be conveyed, was—that, as certain persons, situated precisely as those who claim citizenship with us are, had been released as British subjects we might be tempted to demand the same courtesy of the Spaniards ; and, in a refusal anticipated, there might arise a new cause " to urge to action ;" for I take it for granted, that the United States have as great an inclination to relieve the oppressed as any other power. It is very true, that Spain, because she was pleased to liberate the Englishmen, is not bound to set the Americans free: she has an unquestionable right to act at her own discretion on the subject—but, a grant to one naturally leads another to expect the like ; and the refusal of it must have a tendency to ruffle the temper of the refused.

But, to clear up the subject, I expressly declare, as I always meant to do, that a citizen of the United States, entering a foreign service of his own accord, and without the consent of his government ipso facto, relinquishes all claims on his country for protection. This, I apprehend, is the natural as well as the national law. No man more sincerely wishes the complete emancipation of all that is called " Spanish America, " than I do—but until the legal authorities act on the case, it is the duty of a good citizen to remain passive, except so far as his wishes may go ; unless, indeed, he is willing to renounce his citizenship, and stand or fall with the cause and country of his choice.