Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-09-04
POLITICAL.
THE SLAVE TKADE-No. 4,

bnet, through the American minister at Lon
don, and by him communicated To the govern
ment OF the United States, the President de-
clincd it
because the judicial tribunals which were to
| pronounce sentence on the captured party
! were TO be established in colonies, of which
| the United States having none, there could
! he no reciprocity in this part of the arrange
| ment:
Because the mixed commissions or courts
| being composed in part, of foreign Judges,
! these would not be liable TO npeachment
according to the constitution OF the United
States and, therefore, the executive autho-
rty OF this country could not appoint judg-
es To associate with other and irresponsible
| Judges:
Because the condition Of the blacks being, in
this union, regulated by The municipal laws
| oil the separate states, the government Of
the United States could neither guarantee
Their liberty III the states where they could
only be received as slaves, nor control them
IN the states where they would be recognis-
| ed as free:
Because the admission Of a right III the off
GERS of foreign ships of war to enter and
search the vessels of the United States, i'm
time of peace, under any circumstances
| whatever, would meet with universal rcpug-
nance in the public opinion of this country,
AND there would be no prospect of Il ratiii-
cation, by advice and consent Of the senate,
OF any stipulation of that nature
Because the courts of mixed commissions
precluded the trial by jury ; which is con-
trary TO the fifth article Of the amendments
of the constitution of the United States.
That article expressly says, that " no per-
son shall be held TO answer for capitol or
otherwise infamous crime, HniesS on It pre-
sentiment or indictment Of a grcad .jjTg, eX-
cept IN cases arising in the land or naval for
ccs,or In the militia, when in actual service
in time of public danger"
The constitutional objection here raised by
the government of the United States must be
entirely satisfactory Ia cur fellow citizens
nor can il be reasonably rejected by Great
Britain; for the presen; king of England, al
though friendly 10 the principles Of the holy
alliance, refused 10 sign il because lie must
have signed il in his own hand writing, which
his prime minister, lord Liverpool, dee Jared he
could not do, inasmuch as it was inconsistent
WITH the British constitution and this is pre-
clseiy the reason given by the President of the
United States for not entering into any treaty or
convention TO warrant the right of search in
time of peace.
1t may he thought Ivy some persons, that
lhe sentiments OF the people ought not To he
mfcrposed between gOreramepts, as an obsia-
Gle TO the allowance of the right OF search.
But this is doctrine that can never be ad
mtted in the United States: and Great Bri
tain herself has not disdaincd 10 Use popular
opinion as an argument. In the negotiation
OF commercial treaty, by Mr.. Monroe and
MI PInkney, in the year 1905, the British
commissioners urged as their motive for re-
iilsinS the citizens of the United States greater
privileges in the East India trade, tbs Sensibi-
tdy OF the East India company aud the com
mercIal men of England on the subject If,
therefore, The opinions Of PARTON OF The Br-
tlsh public could influence the ministry to
withhold the grant of moderate privilege
IN trade, surely the sentiments of almost the
toiioie American people may be permitted TO
weigh with the president of the United States
IN matter of vital Importance; for the repug-
nance to the right of search, even in time oil
war, is almost universal in this country
There is another consideration, of great mo-
ment TO the merchants and traders of the Il
States, involYedin the proposed RICH, of search,
winch ought not TO be lost sight of in the dis
cussion OF this topic. BY the treaty OF the
Hague. of the 4th of May, 1919, the right of
search Is not TO be exercised within the HEIDI
tterranean sea, nor within the seas in Europe "
ing without the Straits of Gibraltar, and which
lie nOrthward of The thirtv-seyer - parallel of
north latitude, and also within and TO The east
ward OF the meridian of longitude twenty de
Srees west of Greenwich. The latitude here
assumed is about that Of Cape ~. Vincent Il
and both the longitude and latitude are such ms
to- exclude the British se0S and tie seas hG,I-
ing TO The British possessions ia North .qme.9co.
from the presence of vessels authorized 10
make the search, whilst the seas near lie codsis
Of tie United States are left open TO the incur
slons and vcxations of this projected right of
visit and detention. Practical men will see at
once, that there IS no rcciproCilyin this distinc
uon. VI all the christian powers. the United
States would the most feel this discrimination.
a line is drawn, which cOmplctply protects
commerce OIL the seas ofalI Europe from in
tcrruption, whist the innocent trade in cold
dust, gums, and ivory, on the coast of Africa.
and the trade on the entire shores of the
two Americas, excepting the British provinces,
would be SUBJECT 10 the Constant critizcs Of an
armed squadron
Without taking any part in the conferences
OF the live gfe@ powers, as they dcnOmnate
themselves, the United Staics baye done more
than Any OF them for the suppression of tic
trade in slaves. II has been proved and CON
coded that they were the FIRST to abolish If.
The acts OF Congress of the Goth of April.
1913 of the Sd OF March, 1919 and of the
18th of May, 1920, will attest the sincerity of
the constituted authorities ofthis country in The
professions which they have made IN the cause
ofhumanity. The last mentioned act declares
those who land ON foreign shore, and seize
negroes or mulattOes not held To- service. with
intent to make them slaves, or who drcoy or
fOrcibly carry them ON board vessels. for that
purpose, and those who aid and assist in de-
tanning them on board with that intent. 10 Ice
pirates and punishable with death. This pro-
vision extends TO aliens in vessels of the United
States. and citiZpus IN hoard IF any, ,.,..l