The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-07

Our commercial interests in that region have expert
enced considerable increase, and have become an OBJ
ject of much Importance, and il is the duty OF Tins
Government to protect them against all improper
and vexatious interruption. However desrous the
United States may be for the suppression OF the slave
trade they consent to interpretations into the
maritime code at the win and pleasure oil other
governments We deny the right OF any such inter
poaton TO any one, all the nations OF the Earth,
without our consent. We claim 10 have voice ~
all amendments or alterations Of that code--and when
given TO understand as in this instance, by
foreign Government, that lis treaties with other ma
tolls cannot be executed without the establishment
aud enforcement Of new principles oil maritime Po-
lice to be applied without our consent, we must EN-
ploy language neither of equiyocai import or slis-
! cepible Of demonstration American citizens pro-
scouting lawful in the African seas UNI
der the flag Of their country are not Responsible ior
the abuse unlawful use OF that nag by others; nor
can they rghtfully on account OF any such alleged
abuses be interrupted molested or detained while on
the ocean and if thus moested and detained, while
] pursuing honest voyages in the usual way, and yo-
lating no law themselves, they are unquestionabiy
entitled to indemnity. This Government has mani
tested lis repugnance to the slave trade, IN manner
which cannot be misunderstood. BY its fundamental
law, it prescribed limits in point OF time TO us cont
nuance and against its own citizens, VINO might so
far forget the rights OF humanity as 10 engage IN Una,
wicked traffic, II has long since, by ITS municipal
| laws denounced the most condign punishment. Ma
ny of the States composing this Union had made APP
peals the civilized world for its SUPPRESSION long
before the moral of other nations had become
| shocked by the miquites Of the traffic. whether
this Government should now enter into treaties con-
tanning mutual stipuations upon this subject Is
question for its mature deliberations Certain II Is,
that if the right to dctain American ships on The
high be justified on the plea OF ne
cessty for such detention, arising out oil the exist
ence of treaties between other nations, the same plea
may be extended and enlarged by the new stipuations
Of new treaties, to which the United States may
not be party. This Government will not cease TO
urge upon that of Great Britain full and ample re-
muneration for all LOSSES whether arising from deten-
ton or otherwise, to which American citizens have
heretofore been, may hereafter be subjected, py
the exercise of rights which this Government cannot
recognise as legitimate and proper Nor will ndulgea
doubt but that the of justice OF Great Britain
will constrain her to make retribuon for any wrong
or loss, which any American citizen, engaged IN the
prosecution of lawful commerce, may have expert
enced at the hand of her cruisers other public a-
thorties This government, at the same time, will
relax no effort TO prevent its citizens II there be any
so disposed, from prosecuting traffic so revolving TO
the feelings of humanity. II seeks TO do no more
than protect the fair and honest trader, from mo-
lestaon aud injury but while the enierprising ma
riner engaged in the pursuit of an honorable trade,
is entitled to its protection, ii will visit with condign
punishment, others of an opposite character.
invite your attention to existing laws for the
suppression of the African slave-trade and recon-
mend all such alterations, as may give to them great
er force and efficacy. That the American flag y
grossly abused by the abandoned and pro1igate OF
other nations but too probable Congress has, not
long SINCE had this subject under ITS consideration
and its Importance we'll ustfes renewed and anxious
attention.
also communicate herewith the copy of cores
pondence between MIR, Stevenson and Lord Palmers-
ton, upon the subject interesting to several oil the
Southern States, of the rice duties which resulted
honoraby to the Justice of Great Britain, and adyan
tageo,isy to the United States.
At the opening Of the last annual session, the Pre-
sident informed Congress of the progress which had
then been made in negotiating convention between
this Government and that of England with view
TO the final settlement of the question of the boun-
Diary between the territorial limits Of the two coun-
tries | regret to say, that little further advance
ment of the object has been accomplished since last
year but this is owing to circumstances no way IN
dcative of any abatement of the desire OF both par
ties to hasten the negotiation TO IFS conclusion, and TO
settle the question in dispute, early as possible-
In the course of the session. it is my hope to be able
to announce some further degree of progress towards
the accomplishment of this highly desirable end.
The commission appointed by this Government for
the exploration and survey OF the line OF boundary
separating the States of Maine and New Hampshire
from the conermnous British Provinces is, it is be-
ieyed about to close its field abors, and is expected
soon to report the results of its examinations to the
Department of State. The report when received,
will be laid before Congress.
The failure on the part of Spain to pay, with
puuctuay the interest due under the Convention OF
1894 for the settlement of claims between the two
countries has made il the duty Of the Executive to
call the particular attention OF that Government 70
the subject. disposition has been manifested ny u,
which IS believed to be entirely sincere, TO iulh ITS
obligations in this respect, soon as its internal
| condition and the state of its finances will permit
An arrangement is in progress, from the result oil
which, il is trusted that those OF our citizens who
have claims under the Convention, WILL at no distant
| day receive the stipulated payments.
A Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Bel
GUM was concluded and signed at Washington on the
18th March, 1910, and was duly sanctioned by the
Senate of the United States. The Treaty was rati-
lied by His Belgian Majesty but did not receive the
appreciation Of the Belgian Chambers within the time
| limited by its terms and has, therefore, become
void
| This occurrence assumes the graycr aspect from
! the consideration that, III 1883 Treaty negotiated
between the two Governments aud ratified on the
part Of the United States, failed to be ratified on the
part Of Belgium. The Representative Of that Gov
| ernment at Washington informs the Department OF
State that he has been instructed to give explanations
of the causes which occasioned delay in the approval
of the late Treaty by the Legislature, and to express
| the regret Of the King at the occurrence
The Joint commission under the Convention with
Texas to ascertain the true boundary between the
two countries has concluded its abors but the hnal
report Of the commissioner of the United States has
not been received II is understood, however, that
the meridian line as traced by the commission, lies
somewhat further East than the position hitherto
generally assigned TO it, and, consequently, includes
| in Texas some part of the territory which had been
considered as belonging to the States OF Louisiana
| and Arkansas.
! The United States cannot but take deep interest
in whatever relates to this young, but growing Re
| public. Settled principally by emgrants from the
United States, have the happiness to know, that
the great principles OF civil liberty are there destined
| to flourish, under wise institutions and wholesome
laws and that through its example, another evidence
is to I've afforded of the capacity of popular insttu-
tons, to advance the prosperity happiness, and per-
manent glory of the human race The great truth,
that government was made Tor the people, and mol
The people for government has already been estab-
lshed in the practice and by the example Of these