Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-27
RICHMOND VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, JULY 81 1904

IN principle and sentiment, is added tie con.
viction, avowed by both parties that. in spite
OF laws and treaties, the accused traffic
still thrives, under the eyes of an Indignant
world, it would seem impossible that the two
powers should be long prevented from concert.
ing JOINT system OF measures against the com
mon object of their adherence and lust pro
scription. Whatever circumstances, views. n,
impressions, may have hitherto defeated this
expectation, his majcstys ministers are still nm.
willing to despair of finding the United State.
at length prepared either to close with the avs.
tern OF concert already offered to their accent.
ancc, or to suggest plan of equal efficiency in
ITS place. The alternative embraces duty.
tor the performance of which boa, countries arc
responsible before God and man.
A deep sense of this duty, and reliance nv
no means relnquished, on the general DISPOSE.
oon oil the United States, have promoted the
several communications on this question, which
have been addressed TO you at successive ncr;-
oas, either through me, or by means of the
american Envoy liz London. You will readily
cail to mind, sir, that, in the course of last sum
mer, aPprized you of the Intention of his ma
lesty 8 ministers to prcss for an early reconsider.
ton of the snbject, submitting whether if nipi,
not prove agreeable to the American cabinet
TO anticipate that intended recurrence to il on
the part OF Great Britain, by some efficient pro-
poSal, originating with ITSELF | took occasion
IN repeated conversations, to urge anew those
various arguments which support and Justify the
opinion OF his maJesty's government; and |
also placed III your hands the official papcrs
then recently printed By order parliament, in
further evidence of the extent to which the traf
fic in human beings was still carried on from
Africa, under circumstances of aggravated
cruelty. In declaring, as on former occasions
the readiness OF his majcsty,s mii,i,teTs 10
Inc, with respect and candor, whatever scheme
OF concert, if any, the American cabinet miobt
think proper to bring forward, as a substitute
for theirs, you will remember how strongly |
expressed my belief that the only effectual
mea:ase devised, or likely TO be devised, was
mutual concession Of the right of search, In tho
exercise of that right, under such guards. and
with such limitations as may serve to tranouiI
ne the most apprehcnsivc and scrupulous minds,
IL Is sill! conceived that the best and ONLY cure
for this intolerablc mischief is to be found. You
assured me, at subsequent conference, that
my representation had been duly submitted In
the President. l wish it were IN my power TO
add that the cause which | pleaded had pre-.
vailed.
From the printed documents which had the
honor OF com nlnicating to YOU, it appears that
the French flag is more particularly employed
TO c'7er the Illicit trade the coast of Africa.
II would, perhaps, be unfair to conclude. that
French property and French subjects are.con.
cerned to the full proportion in which the CO.
lors OF that nation are used; but it is manifest.
that both are engagcd in this commerce of blood
to an extent which reflects discredit if NOT ON
inc motives OF the French administration, at
least on the efficiency of its measures: and
makes it imperative on those governments which
are pledged to each other for the suppression of
the slave trade, to declare their reprobation of
what Is, at best, CuIpable Iemissncss and fin n
init nothing that may rouse the French cabinet
to a more active exercise offs authority.
1t was part of my instructions to bring this
point under your immediate consideration, and
to Intimate that the rcmonstrances of his Males
tvs Ambassador at Paris might be attended
with more effect, if the American Envoy al that
Court were directed to concur with his Excel
lency In joint representation on the subject.
1t would be idle at present to repeat the argu-
mcnts adduced in executing this instruction.
The answer which you returned in the name
OF the President, was unfayorabIe to the step
had suggested; and such was the result which it
became my duty to announce to his Majesty,s
Secretary of State. But 40 doubt was started
with respect to the grounds on which my appl-
cation rested; and, of those notorious facts, to
which referred, as calling for a joint and i'm
Pressipe appeal to the good faith and good feel
ings of the Frcuch government you seemed to
be equally convinced with myself.
The reasons, indeed, which you alleged for
declining, at that time, to comply with pro-
posal no less simple in its nature than useful in
lis object, lundcrstooat to be rather of Temporal
ny character: and, under this impression | can
not but hope, that the period is now arrived,
when they will longer be found to stand In
opposition TO the great considerations involved
in this question.
Ia repeating, therefore, the invitation which
have already had the honor to convey to you
on the part of his Alaiesty's government, it on
y remains for me TO request an early commune
cation of the intentions at present entertained
c.: this head by the governmcD, Of the United
States.
beg, sir, that you will accept the assurance
Of my distinguished consideration
STRATFORD CANNING
To tire ION. JoHN Quincy ApAMs,
Secretary " STATE, &c.
NJ. Adams TO .HTr. Canning
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,