The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-13 00:00:00

My Lord,—The French Ambassador has delivered to
me a dispatch from his Government, in which M. Gaizot
describes in strong terms the feeling which has prevailed
for some time past in the French Chambers, and
generally in France, relative to the right of search.
After detailing at length the reasons•which have induced
him to arrive at such a conclusion, he suggests to her
Majesty's Government the expediency of appointing a
joint Commission, for the 'purpose of inquiring•whether
means may not be discovered for the suppression of the
slave-trade as effectual, or even more effectual than those
afforded by the treaties which confer the mutual right
of search.

A copy of this dispatch is enclosed for your Ex-
cellency's information. •
M. Guizot correctly states, that when,. at the close of
the year 1843, the Count de St. Aulaire announced to
me the intentions of the French Government to propose
certain measures which they felt satisfied would be
found preferable 'to :the exercise of the right of search,
and better calculated to attain the objects in view, I at
that time informed the French Ambassador that my con-
viction of the sincerity and zeal of M. Guizot foe. the
abolition of the slave-trade would induce me to receive
any suggestions from him on the subject, and to submit
them for the consideration of her Majesty's Government.
Your Excellency may assure M. Guizot, that her Ma-
jesty's Government attach no special value to the right
of search, except in so far as it affords an effectual means
.of suppressing the slave-trade.
They are indeed aware that the exercise of this right
cannot fail le-b&attended with some inconvenience, and
they would willingly see the adoption of any measures,
which would as effectual for the accomplishment of
the great end in view, and which should not be liable to
the same objections. lam bound, however, in candour
to declare, that I have not-hitherto seen any plan pro-
posed which could safely be adopted as a substitute for
the right of search.: And:, when M. Guizot recollects
how earnestly the people of this country have ,desired
the abolition of the slave-trade, and the 4nOrmous sacri-
fices they have made, and are daily making, to secure
the attainment of this object, he will not be slit-prised if
we hesitate to abrogate treaties, the stipulations of which
have been found efficient, until we are satisfied that the
measures about to be proposed will be attended with
equal success.
I abstain from inquiring into the causes witoiAave
led to the great change of sentiment in France respect-
ing these treaties, which up to a recent period the French
Government bad united with that of her Majesty in
pressing on the adoption of other nations.
Be these causes what they may, I fully admit that such
engagements, if not executed with cordiality and zeal by
both the contracting parties, must become less likely to
answer the purpose intended, and their value be greatly
impaired. It is unnecessary, therefore, to dwell on the
means taken by her Majesty's Government to remove all
reasonable grounds of objection to the exercise of the
right of search, and on the care with which the instruc-
tions recently delivered to the officers engaged in this
service have been prepared. • The mere fact officially. de-
clared by M. Guizot, that the Government. the Legisla-
ture, and the people of France earnestly demand a re-
vision of these engagements, while they profess at the
same time an undiminished desire to attain the objects
for which they were contracted, would afford to her
Majesty's Government a sufficient reason for agreeing to
the proposed inquiry.
But in assenting to this suggestion of M. Guizot, your
Excellency cannot too strongly impress upon his mind
how much will depend on the character of the persons
who may be selected as Commissioners, in order to in-
spire the necessary degree of confidence, and to insure
any useful result. It appears to her Majesty's Govern-
ment to be indispensable that the Commission should be
composed of individuals of high station and enlightened
views—men perfectly independent, and well known tai
their attachment to the great cause of freedom and hu-
manity.
It must clearly be made known that the object of the
Commission is not to get rid of the treaties, but to ascer-
tain the possibility of adopting measures by which they
may advantageously be replaced.
It appears essential also, that whatever substitute may
be proposed, if any be found, should be considered in lice
first instance only as an experiment, but by which 'the
operation of the treaties in this respect would necessa-
rily be suspended, until its success or failure had beet?
made manifest.

To a Commission thus constituted and thus in-
structed, her Majesty's Government could not only en-
tertain no objection, but would be disposed, in common
with all who sincerely desire the early and complete
abolition of this detestable traffic, to look with hope and
satisfaction.—l am, &c. ABERDEEN.