Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-08
From he National .94rocatc.
RIGHT OLE SEARCH

on the conclusion Oh that Ois2raCeiu treaty when
has just been announced, in which the Right of
Search is conceded to British cruzcrs the an,
inclined tn dwell on ccrtaii. Suspicious which of
late have frequently crossed my mind, and Caused
ne serious distluict. have lived long enough to
see wagcd with England, tho one for ,ic |
requirement and the other for the maintenance of
the dearest rights Of mun. l have seen these wars
prosecuted on the part of England with utter
disregard TO the usagcs Of civilized nations, and the
common rights ot humanity. have seen the cha
raCcr of my couutrytnen, their manners, habits, in
stitutions aud government assalcd III parla mental
~ speeches, critical reviews, mnstc ial ncwspa-
pcrs ana naniicstoS Of state, with mali 51aIit and
prcSevcnns hostility without example in the listo-
~ oil civilized nations and having all this
no honestly confess not made of such n,scra-
bic milk and water materials tn let civil speech
anu complimentary toasi of Mr.. George Canning
ob!iterate from my mind the remembrance of the
injuries and sufferiugs of my country. ! should be
sorry 10 as think do distinctly sec, symptoms
of the revival of that old British Influence which
once converted the administration of this country
'to tho AFFECT tool of British diplomacy, and de-
graded the United States a situation little better
than their former colonial scrvitudc. uuv.cve,
high may be thc authority which nculca,es the for
giveness of enemies, there is prcccpt which tells
us 10 take them At once To our hearts, and rcpcsc
| our safety and honor upon their bosouis.
To me, however, it would almost seem as Il the
lessons of experience bitter yet salutarv to those
who are blessed with the faculty of growing wise
by the prccepts or her severe discipline, have been
entirely forgotten within the short space oflcss than
half score Of years. | cannot help suspcctne
that the whole for2tg7, poiicy ofour government
a-scntiy, and quietly, aud almost imperccptabiy
been brought into complete accordance with the
views Of the British cabihct. Under one pretext
or another, but principally that ola stale and sim
uidted philanthropy, we were first drawn into mca-
s,tres for preventing trade assircdiy disgrncciu
to humanity, but with which neither the law @! ma
ture or nations authorized us to interfere ,cxcctt
In relation 10 our own citizens, which have in no
little degree enhroiled Us with our ancient friends
| and natural allies in Europe. Though VIC lately
made war to resist the right Of English cruizcrs TO
board and search vessels under the American flag
on suspicion of carrying contraband property,
now assume to ourselves the right of searching the
vessels OF friendly powers under pfeence oil suspi
cion of being engaged i'll the slave trade-a right
| conceded neither by the law Of nations nor By
treaty.
| Again-It is asserted by the ministerial paper,
| lie London Courier that on the subject of South
American independence, 'ttere is q perfect as.der-
standing dei,ceee lie CGtiReis Of London anf
~ asttngien." That is to say, the latter has Civ
IN assurances OF cooperating with the former in
al It's views; Of bearing III fact, if necessary the
5Tuui OF the battie-and for What: To enable
England to succeed in r,onopolizing the trades in
getting possession OF the rich mines; and finally
10 reducing the greater part of that extensive hem.
sphere to state of absolute dependence, by
means OF loans, and agents, and emissaries. I'm
derpfetence of protecting their trade Chat worI,-
eaten cloak OF interested Hypocrisy England will
keep up naval force, on the Coasts of South A :
'neEica, which viii! enable her bully the author-
ties INTO quiet submission TO her Interests. For
tbs, 1t seems, we arc TO throw cur gauntlet into
!he teeth of our ancient friends ana allies; to a.
ienate France, aud TO irri,atc the Emperor of
Russia, who, in all cases when acting as umpire
between the United States nd England has dis
/ iv
country.
In addition to this, il has been Recommended I,
u.s. mat We enter INTO a Convention lor tscontinu-
ing In all inture wars with England, the system OF
! priva'eeeInS-n system of which that country ne
yer perceived the onoTmty, until the late war had
fully satisfied her, that she could no oIaer cxoect
| To reap the exclusive benefits. Ia plain linguroc
We are advised by our good friends the British, Min
isters to take into consideration the cxpetljeucy ot
aoa'd0nng a mode Of warfare in WHICH We axe
more than match for ENGLAND, ana 20 adcr, cnc
"hich affords to hcr-ali the exclusive advantages
ot vast superiority Of naval force. In short, we
are To combat on the with thirty ships agains.
| 'hodsaiid and with most praiscworTly sclf-dc-
mai refrain from distressing enemies in the on
| y mode III our power! And this toe under il,c
stale prctcnce ofhumanity. What brings about :,
peace but distressing and crippling your eremy
and how is nc to be crippled but by loss of blood
ana treasure: 1.-THE mode of leaving trade nm
shackicd III time of war adopted, there would
be no other way of deciding the dispute but thai of
oiood9hed alone. Is there then the slightest pre-
text for adopting the selfdcnvinr system pronoscl
OH the ground of humanity?
Lastly, we are now to concede that preat r;gb,
Tor the maintenance of which this nation fought and
Dicd within the recollection of every man. and al.
most every child intlc Unitsd States, the RIGHT
OF SEARCH. We are to place our commerce. \;
inc mercy OF the "SUSPICIONS' of every petty
British officer who may be pleased to SANDER the
people Of this country with the jmputation of
trading. No matter upon what prctencc or undo,
what limitations this concession is made tho rgl,,
conceded, the sacred principle surrendered forever
Why,sir, SHALL expects recommendation ere l,,ng
to abandon the old principle Of the revolution thai
taxation and representation 20 ;oyetber.n and n
submit to Il British Stamp Act, Under sir,;la ,,ra
tcncc OF humanity to black or white.
! On these grounds, and others which forbear n
enumeratc, cannot help chcrishing syoy,
suspicion that Notwithstanding the loud land bol1os
things are always lou) defamation of the federal
me turbulent rhetoric Of the sccry Of State
~ MS i'n Juy grafton, we are destined to be- g. con-
tInue The dupcs Of English Diplomacy That mo.
ncy losing money making nation vhe,, a licI in i.
open attempts almost at least in this country at
! Jams oy iTaud what she cannot win by f,rce and
| plays the hypocrite when bullying fails.
as TIC organ OF communication with foreiqn ,ov.-
CTS tne acliVe agcn IN all diplomatic arrangements
! the Secretary Of State is certainly in n .5rca, I
gree responsible for any sacrifice Of the n,io,,t =;
tercst OF honor Whether il be his influence ,,birt
has lnus as l conceive given to the ncvernr,o, -.
this Tree and independent marion, a cbar.c,,~ -,
subsei viency To British views and interests cn,,o,
say. But when we bring % mind, that hi, C,,bcr
vas the eulogist aud vehement adr1i,er or -
and its government; thattbc Scrrc,,r h1a,S ~
once not behind hand with his parent in dcCc,,,;,.
and applaudIng these self same things: thai HE
version INTO an admirer 0f our honIeIy rcn,bl;c,
'.9tt"uois' was somewhat sudden, and accornpa-