The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-12-06

Committed. Better late than 4iever,t however,
affidtwe hope that the matter will ,nowsbe prose-
.cuted until redress is obtained, and an assurance
that no such molestatons shall hereafter take
place.
= Thescase that has been laid before the British
government is that of the brig Douglass, of Mas
-sachusetts, which was boarded. by Lieutenant
Segrarn, from her Maiestys brigantine crulzer,
the Terlnagant, on the 21st of October, 1883,
while pursuing her voyage from Havana TO the
river of Brass, laden withmerchandse and pas
sengers. The Douglass was boarded, searched,
and seized as SLAYER; her matches were torn
open, flag hauled down, and books and papers
removed to the cruzer she remained in posses
sion OF British officers until the 18th OF October,
when she was dismissed and permitted to pro-
cced on her voyage. Documentary proof of these
facts is submitted to her Maesty's Secretary
of Foreign Affairs, and upon them Mr.. Steven
son has asked for satisfactory retribution. -.
The above is but one Of a number of unpro-
voked and similarly nagrant proceedings, OF
which evidence has in some cases been, and IN
others might be, submitted 10 the State Depart-
ment., The attack upon the Tigris, Sea New,
Jones, and several others Of even more recent
occurrence, each might be made the subject Of
demand for remuneration from the British
government
The answer of Lord Palmerston to the appi-
cation of the American Minister would seem TO
indicate that,her Majesty's cruizers are not Of
ficialIy delegated wththe indscriminate authori-
ty which they assume, to board American mer-
chantmen. Lieutenant Segram had already been
called upon to- explain how he considered him.
self justified in OBTAINING aship under American
colors, and with papersi showing her to be
American property, andsfler Maiesty's govern
ment has now directed prompt and searcing IN
Equry to be made into the facts of the case laid
before them. 81 ~
The cruisers in question, are said to be STA
tioned upon the coast of Africa for the forcible
suppression of the slave trade, and by virtue of
diplomatic arrangements between the Govern
ments they are allowed to board and search any
vessels carrying the Spanish or Portuguese flag,
when they may suspect them of being engaged
in the slave traffic. No such power has ever
yet been delegated to them from this country
and therefore it is as idle to urge such suspicion
as an apology for their acts towards American
vessels, as It is to assume right to search,
unless itbe first especially granted by treaty or
otherwise. The evils and abuses TO which
such a power necessarily leads, may be, in a
measure, Judged Of from statement contained
in subsequent letter of Lord Palmers:on to Mr..
Stevenson-"during the period which has eiaps-
ed since that treaty with; Spain in 1880 has
been in operation, her Majesty's cruisers have
taken and cent in for adjudication So Spanish
slavers without s!avesSoa boar'l." And since
the same period 'sner Maiesty's cruisers Oh the
coast of Africa have detained ard sent in for ad-
indication ID Brazilian vessels, without. slaves
on board and only two with slaves on board. =
Thus, vessel after vessel may be taken possession
of on the most childish suspicion, sent into Sierra
Leoaefor adjudication, and after being detained
there just long enough to defect the commercial
objects of the owners or fre!ghters, and rob them
fha I'VE 1oFage, Be Ts!eased and
either home OF upon her journey. BY this sort of
proceeding the legitimate commerce TO the coast
Of Africa must be entirely broken up.
The American people are hostile to the slave
trade-they are the first nation that interdlctedlt,
but at the same time they will never submit to
such aggressions upon the part of British cruisers!
as have been committed under pretext Of sub
DUNG that abomnable traffic Their previous
TO the British government have
been almost unhccdct, and We hope that the APP
plcation now made will be backed by others for
for more recent injuries, and that
the matter will not be allowed to sleep until
proper and satisfactory settlement is sliad.
ssOUR RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.-Notwith-
-, nE NIL ood