Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-31
POLITICAL.
THE SLAVE TRADE-No. 3,

duty TO yindicate the honor of The Unified
States from the aspersons of Lord Castle
reagh, whose newborn zeal for putting down
'he slave trade we have fairly shewn, has other
motives than those which are philanthropic.-
we use the name of CAsTLEREAGH on this
occaslon, because it is better known than that
oil marquis of Londonderry, because it carries
| with il recollcc;ions which ought not IN he
speedily forgotten by free people. and which
me new nickname ofthat minister is calculated
To anpihlatc." Ii there is one country mere
iii;in another whose motives are pure in the
pursuit oithe object in question il is undoubt-
| edly the. United States 1t is they who. ac-
rert'ng fothe selenon confession ofthe British
I parlanient, having been first committed TO
sich an odIous course of procuring labor as
me purchase of negroes in Africa by Great
Britain, gave To the world the first example of
putting an end TO the traffic; Il high proof.
we may justly say Of the redeerning virtue of
republican institutions. In this liberal career.
II has been shewn, beyond the power of con-
tradiction, that they have never iautered; and
tue truth IS not TO he concealed by the mis-
representations or the sneers of lord Castle
reaSh. IL IS IN vain that he pushes forward
Great Britain as the leading advocate of hu-
manity on this occasion. The world is moi
10 be deceived in this particular independent
nations will not permit the British navy under
pretext of sensibility for the sulerings of the
blacks, to exercised right, however limited. in
time of peace, which, allowed by the law of
nations in time OF war, they have Invariably a.
bused. 1.-THE British ministry is sincere in its
professions, 1T will adopt such means for the
suppression OF the trade are practicable, and
such as all free christian states will agree TO.
III VIII DE proper to present here, as intro
ductory to what we may offer hereafter, a
brief summary ofthe actual state ofthe case as
1t respects the trade in slaves
First, then, the United States wholly abo-
lIshed it on the Cd of March, 1907 and have
ever since pursued energetic measures, Judi
clal and naval, 10 suppress it,
Secondly, Great Britain abolished it in Nav
1907, but took no effective steps TO induce
other powers ID concur in the abolition until
the general peace of Europe in 1915 when.
all at once, the sub ect was .ceienieniLv pres
sed upon their attention by the British min
istry.
Thirdly, Spain reInquishud the slave trade
ON the seth of May, 1890,
Fourthy, the Netherlands abolished the
traihc, by treaty signed at the Hague, on the
4th OF May, 1873; engaging, within eight
months from the ratification OF that treaty, Ia
prohibit it entirely.
Filthy, Portugal has abandoned the trade
TO the north OF the equator, and restricted, bv
new regulations, the commerce to the port,i-
g'lse flag. The territories in which the traffic
III slaves continues to be permitted To this
power. arc:
]. The territories possessed by the crown
oil 1'oItugal upon the coast of Africa to the
south OF the equator; that is to say, upon the
eastern coast Of Africa, the territory living
between the Cape Delgado and the Bay of
i-ourenco Marques; and, upon the western
coast, all that which is situated from the 9Th
to the 18th degree of south latitude.
9. THOSE territories on the coast Of Africa
To the south Of the equator, over which his
most faithful majesty has declared that he
has retained his rights namely, the territories
OF Molembo and Cabinda, upon The eastern
coast OF africa, from the 9TH ,.egree minutes
to the 9Th degree of south latitude
Slxthiy, Russia, Austria and Prussia concur
in the principle of the universal abolition o!
the trade.
Such Is the present posture ofthe business.
upon the point of total abolition, therefore.
with the exception of Portugal, there seems
10 be no disagreement among the great
christian powers interested. But, upon the
proposition of the right of search, AS we have
| shewn, there appears TO be great diversity OF
| opinion.
| In the first place, the United States, France
and Prussia have absolutely rejected it,
In the second place Russia has declared
| it impracticable.
| Andin the third place, the Netherlands Spain
and POrtugalhave admitted the right of search
the former limiting the number of ships oil
artl1at are 10 exercise the privilege to twelve
the two latter nations have not restricted the
right to any number of ships of war, but cx-
tended it TO all having express instructions
and authority. Between Great Britain and
the Netherlands, il is provided that each pow
i IT. shall notify fhn nt ha- ,,ff Al
authorised for this purpose. On the part oil
| the Netherlands, 1T is farther stipulated. thai
the reciprocal right of visit and detention shall
| not be exercised within the Mediterranean sea
| or within the seas in Europe lying without the
| Straits Of Gibraltar, and which lie TO the
northward of the thirty-seyenth 3arailel Of
north latitude, and also within and to the east.
| ward of the meridian Of longitude twenty de-
! Srees west of Greenwich On the part o
Portugal, itisreserved that no detention of slave
traders - to take place south of the EQUATOR
In all the conventions, the whole, range o
| voyage, from tic coast uf africa 10 the on
posite shores Of both Americas. including IA,
West Indies is subjected to tho suveiiano
| thus established.
The Teader will perceive, that by the ad
mission of the right of search over such az
| immense surface of the ocean, constant,
filled with merchant vessels engagedin an inno
cent trade, whose voyages are liable 20 be oh
structed and controlled by British, Dutch
/ Spanish and Portuguese Iiemonants. who ar,
N many cases both insolcnt and ignorant.
foundation IS laid for new maritime wars, Il
the great affection Of the commercial part q
mankind. Iisucha result does not follow,
VII be owing 20 the forecast and prudence q
|
Madame de Siacl accuses Napoleon of the aptifr
= Immediately giving new titles 10 his general. vile