Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-28
VOL. AtnI. No. 50.


tim Of the slave tr1ie. and that for its sun.
preston, the king had ordered naval force
To cruise on the western coast of hC'ica, and
visit all the vessels winch should be suspect
ed of continuing u trade which had been pro.
hibted." The memoir then proceeds thus
lit would be useless to discuss here, III re-
gard TO right, the question of visit at sea in
profound peace. Upon this point, the govern
ment his most christian majesty feel an IN
r'ncibte obstacfe to the proposition of England.
e" Without doubt Il concession accompanied
by the necessary precautions, and with that
clause OF reciprocity which would save the
dignity of each party, might be proposed <
without fear of woundingthe vanity ofany one.
But II ,couid still lie u concession ard the o,Iin-
ion OF nation, habtuiated TO Judge of the acts
of her government under the influence of IL
lively imagination, would be alarmed to see
them abandon, even with every possible nodi
fication, what she regards as one of her most
precious rights. She would conceive that the
honor Other iiag was thereby endangered IL
point OF the utmost delicacy, and on which she
has ever shewn quick susceptibility.
But even should the government of his
most christian majesty feel themselves a,i-
thorized to overlook such powerful consider
rations and TO adopt, Notwithstanding The
dangers which they perceive in theory, the
project relative to the visit, they would still
see IN ITS application serious cause of uneasi-
ness. Whatever precautions may be taken,
however mildly it be exercised, the visit must
necessarily be Ii source of disquiet and vexa-
ton. Can it be thought that the vessel which
believes she can elude it, will not seek to do
so by every means ? Ii viii then be necessa-
ry that the WISHING vessel exert force. Th,
force may produce resistance On the high
seas, far from all CONTROL the subjects OF the
two powers might be tempted TO believe
themselves no longer bound by the orders ot
their own soyereigns, and listening To the v0ic@
OF a false point of honor, to take up arms in
It's defence. The most prudent enactments
will be illusOry. VIII the captain f the ship
of war, charged with the visit consent to shew
his commission TO the iHconsiderahic trader
Ii not, how is lie To be constrained ID it, and
what guarantee shall the detained vessel have,
that the visit is not arbitrary act How
prevent also, the possible infracti0ns of the re-
gI!ations agreed upon for rendering the visit
less veXatious The tradermay, indeed, com,
plain, and demand punishment but it is known
by experience how difficult is the decision or
these abuses. VIII not the oppressed be often
without the means OF knowing what officer
shall have abused, il his 1.-The right rcserv-
ed to the cruisers, or shall have unduly AFRO
gated it 10 himself: What proof do the Incl
dents bring which pass FAR from all witnesses,
and which each of the parties may represea.
under different light ? The English govern
ment know that, when they have themselves
wished to punish abuses committed By thcif
ships upon the coast OF France or within tbs
limits OF her territorial Jurisdiction, they have
been prevented by the i!npossbty OF pro
caring documents sufficiently positive 10 as.
certain the guilty.
g" These inconycnicncies, which il would be
imprudent to lose sight of, receive an add
tonal Importance, from the probability that
they would lead to mutual exasperation ana
it is too well known, that such sentiments L.
monS the people have often disturbed thc
peace ri nations.
"I'hera is another consideration which
would induce the government OF his most
christian majesty To pause even if they did
dol see TIE imPoSidility Of admitting the o3g1
position q tie tiast. This is il reference 10
The mixed commission, which wO;dd be en-
powered L" adjuigc The questions of prize in
the spirit OI tue regulations 50. restricting the
trade
q" Che Immediate consequence Of such an
institution would be, to Withdraw tire sub
Iects OF ms majesty from their natural Judges
aud his conscience viii moi permit him 10 be-
licve that ne has t!Ie right to 10 SO. Jurisdic-
Tioa Is, of al the rights 0r sovereignty, that
which Is most essentially destined to the de-
fence OF tie subject and it may BE- sad, that
it IS the only one exclusively ior TIC iaterest OF
Tie latter. There are circumstances IN which
the common law Of Europe admits, that the
jurisdiction OF the sOyegCiEn ceases Of right, be-
cause he cannot, ia fact, eHerr5e It. Ii is when
IA subject commits, upon a foreign territory, a
crime against tine laws OF the country upon
winch this territory depends. But, except ia
these circumstances, the sovereign could not
consent that his subject should pass under
foreign jurisdiction. lis most christian ma
lcsty, II is repeated, does moi believe himself,
IN conscience, To have the right 30 sa8cti0n
such chanseiHthc legislation o., lis kingdom.
6 IL results from the preceding observations,
continues the memoir. that France has done
all that depended OH her, to bring about The
complete abolition Of the slave trade that
she perceiycs IN the project proposed by
! England for expressing all possible c0ntinua-
! tOn of this OdiOus commerce. dangers which
will not permit her to adlAit it that, in
word, It appears 20 her, that 10 attain one
desirable end, for the interests Of porion OF
humanity, the risk Is rua Of compromising
interests still more precious, since they rcats
TO the maintenance o. the peace and thu re-
| pose Of Europe
! Could any language be more decided, than
this, against the British pFo;0sitiga Of che
! right OF search And after reading tlIs, fore
/ gong extracts, who IS there that viii u0tsay
! that lord Castlcreagh manifested great want Of
| veracity, when be asserted, in tive house OF
commons, that "of all governments, the gic8t
determined against cohcedIns the right of
| qualified search wastllatofthc United }LltesD
In answer to the same proposition, the
ministers Of the emperor OF Russia ayCrrcd,
that cit appeared to them, beyond a doubt,
/ ihat there are sOngc states whom $40 consideA
ration would induce 10 submit their uayiga-