Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-27
From the ~: York american.
THE RIGHT OF SEARCH.

lie ltiott1 Sf to-ANCH.
We have moi hitherto attempted to defend the
late Convention with Great Britain, relating to
the Slave Trade, for two reasons, LIST, because
the people oftlle United States did not manifest
any dissatisfaction at lis provisions; but chiefly
becanse.thc Candid editors OF the Argus indi-
Gated an intention to condemn the treaty, with
The hope of promoting the views of the caucus
party: and we thought it would be unkind to
us, by premature defence of its principles, to
prcycut them from placing the cause of their
Candidate. In the hest point of view. We were
willing, VIC were even DESTROYS, that they souid
oppose the Convention, and show to the public
that in this State it was opposed by the Craw-
ford party, as it was at Washipgton-knowing
as we did, that twas easy to demonstrate that
the opposition originated solely in feeling of
hostility to John Q. Adams, as the Secretary of
State, under whose auspices the treaty was
concluded.
According tc our expectations, the puppets at
Albany have echoed the sentiments of their
masters at Washington. and in several of the
last papers have commenced their feeble at
tack upon the administration (alias Mr.. Adaiis)
for concluding the Convention. We wish,
however, that they would disclose their senti-
nents more fully, and with greater freedom.
We dislike to see such men under constraint;
'sWillng to wound, aud yet afraid to strike;
Just hint fault, and hesitate dislike"
1t was not thus the opposition in the Senate
was cGaductcd. The arguments and objcc-
| tons to the ratification OF the Convention,
Will The veil of secrecy screened them from
the public eye, were loudly urged with open
mouths, BIZ the leaders of the caucus party.
The veil is now withdrawn, and MIR. Van
Buren,. q senator OF the State of New York, now
stands before his constituents &c an abcttor of
the slave trade; or, Senator influenced III
his conduct in the national councils, only by
| party motives, and carrying his feelings and
views as a partizan Of Mr.. Crawford, into eve
r. question: whether OF domestic or foreign po-
Icy, in violation Of bis duty as member of the
Senate.
He Cannot escape from This dilemma; and
other arguments must nc adduccI in his de-
fence, besides the l,nsy sophistry oftbe Argus,
before the public Indignation can be aycrted
| FROM himself and liz coaIjutors.
| The objection urged against the ratification,
| viz. tliat tbs government had surrendered that
| principle SO earnestly defended under the adj
'ninistratiops Of Mr.. Monroc's predecessors is
untrue in sact, notwithstanding every Crawfor-
dtc IN the Senate EXCEPT Messrs. Barbour and
! Louvre, yielded TO it. II was indeed so repre-
seuted; for it would have been plausible
ground of opposition 10 Mr.. Adams to have OK
hibitcd him assentipg TO the right of search, as
claimed by Great britain; and conspiracy
(for it is nothing eke) was s'rracd, to reject tue
| treaty so honorable to both countries, III order
TO render the Secretary of State unpopular, I'M
der the prctence that the great principle of our
commercial policy, TO wit: the religion of the
flag, had been surrendered in this treaty.
Before we deyelope tic private Vaccinations
of this opposition, VIC will examine into the va
lidity of the objection that was urged to the ra-
tGcation oftbfs treaty.
II must here be rccolected that The Dcgotia-
ton which led to this treaty, was commenced
pursuant TO resolution Of The House Of Repre-
tatives, passed February 18th, 1928, requesting
the President to commence and prosecute
with the several maritime powers Of the world
such negotiations as he may deem expcdeDt
n for the eiioctual abolition of the African Slave
: Trade, and its ultimate de'1u1cirtion as pjrdcJ
under tie lar IF nations, by the consent of h'
ciolised tcorid.n
In consequence Of this resolution, tle presen
convention was entered into; by which it is per
; miliFd, to certain specified armed vessels o
both parties, to search British and American
vessels within certain seas; and ftbcy sboulc
/ appear TO be engaged in the slave trade, theJ
are to be sent into some port Of the country Z
: which they shall belong. The manner OF scaTci
+ is also regulated the safe delivery OF the creV
AID cargo az the port to wbjeh TIC 7essei - Z