Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-15
RECkIN1oND:
TUESDAY MORNING. JUNE IL. 1901
The iate Coarention ,ciM England.

inc complete suppression of the African slave
rade' has, for half century, not only excited the
earnest wishes of Great Britain and other portions
Oh Clristendon', but her most earnest and extensive
exertions. The zeal of the U. States has kept pace
with that of Britain; and her re entitled
equally with those of England, to the merit of in
ccssant attempts to suppress it, as far her
cit'zens were conccrned.-The mutual desire of &.
or'aih ana the Z. States to blot out this stain up
ON the Christian character, finally produced the
gota'lon and ratification between the two cou tries
oil u treaty or Conventions signed by Richard Rush
on the part of the U. States, W. Husxsson g. Strait
lord Canning on thatof Engand-of which the fol-
lowing are brief outlines. The contracting parties
mutually agree to prescribe the slave trade as pira-
cy-'hey concede to each, the right Of searching,
and capturing ships of the other engaged in tie traf-
hc-which vessels be adjudicatcd in the ports
O. inc contracting country 10 which they belong.
we are IN the course of publishing all the docu-
mens on this interesting subject, on which we can
lay our hands; and we designed, i'm conclusion. To
present the reader with brief outline and course Of
reflections ON Treaty, honorable TO the parties
winch framed it'so dsmteres,ed la its purposes and
when completely effected, frausht with SO much be-
10
nefit to the happiness Of Africa. The course of o.
Their papers, induces us to anticipate this design
somewhat.
ms Convention has been already attacked in
one or two of the public prints with vchemence-
and they, 1t seems have succeeded i'm pcrs,adin n
thers which ought to have been better informed.
that the Treaty is disadvan,ageou to the L. State
mat we have IN part, yielded qualified righ,
OF scarch-and III time of peace too--Sc
This Treaty was negotiated under the direction
ofthc Secretary of State, and it is at least posse
that had owed its origin or derived its mos, uae
rial features from any ot;ier political quarter that
1t would have met with different reception from
the Editors who have attackedit it. Had il been me-
gotiated by the devil himself, contend that there
is nothing in it, which is not safe and honorable.
1t is complained that the right of search is grant
ed by tito Great Briiain-and the inference ,hat
those who make this complaint, wish drawn by per-
SONS VINO are stupid enough not to their drift is
that, by this convention, we have STIMULATED tn
Yield the very right, the claiming aud exercising OF
whieh by England, in opposition to our interests,
dignity AMI honor, was the ground of the last war
with that country 1t is true that this right is well
dea oy the United States, but under the followin.
restfictions ani further, that the reciprocal con-
cesSion OF the said tight, guarded limited and re-
sulated by this conventions shall not he so constru
ed as to authorize the detentioa or search of the
merchant vessels OF either nations by the officers OF
inc navy o1 The other, except vcssels engaged, or
suspected CT being engaged ia the African Slave
Trade. The right of search is expressly limited, to
cases of vessels enpancd mr. c,,.noctod 60 10 . :,
IN this odious tra!fic-ani were the right not mu,u
any conceded, and could it be strictly confined to
: vessels actually engaged in this tiaGc"-thc alb
sencc of rec procity would be overlooked i'm the a.
moderation which such provision would effect. To
suffering humanity.
But this is not 50: We haze yielded not tilr OF
rhsft or principle 10 GreGk Britain, which she has
not mutually conceded to us. If we have conceded
to her the right OF search AMI the capture of Ameri
can vessels engaged, or suspected of being engaged
IN the Slave Trade, SO has she conveyed the same
privilege to American ships of war, to se5..', and
capture British vessels engaged suspected of be-
ing engaged i'll the African Slave Tale. Where
then is the reason foundation of these cla.noufs
against tue late convention with Great Britain
the justice of the complaint that we have yielded
the right of SEARCH, AMI that too in thc tine
OF peace? Ii it has been yiei.i, it was not with :
out fair equivalent, the yellias Us of precise
ly the same right the part of England.
Even did this country, by the. operation of this
treaty, yi,d netting for which it got in return, no
direct el valcnt, we persuaded that the com
peie abolition of the Slave Trade, wold by its CT
tizcns' be considered az fair equivalent. 1t is
manifest that in other mode than that sanction
ed by the late convention, could the Slave tfalc he
extrpated The laws of England AMI til, United
States had, i'll vaih, interdictel it az piracy and
subjected those concerned in it., the plnisIirlem
of piracy-the identity of language casiIy enabled
the American slave trader to pass hims,lf Of to A.
.ncFican public vessels al EI5lisll morchantn1n
Those who fin | fault with this tfeaty must be
they who think thu Suppression OF the slae, TIA L.,
matter of in Inference who, in their de rc To
dctract from the reputation OF Mr.. Adams lose sight
of the rights Of Humanity, well as ofconnon
BY other classes treaty for tn, acc5 nplis-
mcnt of 50 holy purpo'c, AL which takes from
Great B.itaiu pracsaly what we give her in return,
be objected to.
MR.. CRAWFORD.
statement in Saturdays IntolJgcnccr, leaves
no reason to doubt Mr.. Crawlords conyalcsccncc.
His illness has probably been as much exaggerated