The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-12-14

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knowledge their inability To acquit themselves OF
their duties 10 others. And in announcing this
sentiment, do but affirm principle which no
nation on earth would be mote ready 10 vindica,e,
| ri all hazards than the people mud Government OF
| Great Britain.
lf, upon full investigation of all the facts, it
shalt appear that the owner of The Caroline was
J governed by hostile intent, or had made common
cause with those who were in the occupancy OF
Navy Island, then, far MS lie is concerned, here
can be claim 10 indemnity for the destruction
| of his boat, which This Government would feel
self bound to prosecute-snce he would have nc
ted not only in derogation of the rights Of Great
Britain. hut in clear violation of the laws of the
United States; but that is question which, howe
yer settled in no mhuneT involves the higher con
sderalion Of the vinIatIon Of territorial sovereignty
and Jurisdiction. To recognize II as an admlssl-
Bile practice that each government, in its turn upon
any sudden and unauthorized outbreak, which, on
| frontier, the extent of which renders it inpossi
BILE for either to have efficient force on every
mile Of it, and which out break, therefore, neither
may be able to suppress IN day. may take ven.
geance IN It's own hands, and without even res
monslrance, and ia the absence of any pressing or
| overuling necessity, may invade The territory of
the other, would inevitably lead to results equally
to be deplored by hoh.
When border collisions come to receive th
sanction, 70 be made The authority of either
Government, general must he the inevitable
result. While il is the ardent desire Of the United
States to cultivate the relations of peace with all
nations, and to fulfil all the dules of good neigh
borhood towards those who possess territories ad>
Joining their own, That very desire would lead them
10 deny the right of any foreign power To invade
their boundary with AN armed force. The corres>
pondence between the TWO Governments on this
subject will future day of your session be sub
nIted to your considerations; and in the mean
lime. cannot but indulge the hope that The Brit.
ish Government will see the prOprlety of renoun-
cling, ~ "A rule of future action, the precedent
winch has been set in the affair al Sch losser
! herewith submit The correspondence which has
recently taken place hetween the American Min
llSipr nj IIa Gpnrt of IYnl Mr. St,yp nd
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of that Govern
ment, on The rignt claimed by that Government 10
visit and delnin vessels sailing under The American
dag and engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce
in the African seas Our conimerrit interests ia
thar region have experienced considerable Increase,
ard have hecone an object of much importance,
and il is the duty Of thus Government to protect
them against all improper aud veShlious lnterrup~
ton However deSrous the United Siat.tes may
be for tho suppression of the slave trade, they can
not conseuI 10 interpretations int" the maritime
code, AT the will aud pleasure of other gov
crnments We deny the right of any such inter
poation to any all the nations of the Earth,
without our cOnsent.
We claim to have voice In all amendments or
alterations of that code--and when we are given
to unde' stand, in this instance, by foreign
Government, that its treaties with other uations
cannot he executed without the establishments aud
entorcement of new principles of marame police,
to be applied without our cunsent.we must employ
lHngunge neither OF equivuGal import. suScep.
tihe of misconstructlon. American citizens presses
cutting law ul commerce in the Aircan seas, un
der the flag of their country, are not responsible
tor the abuse unlawful use of that flag by others;
nor can they on account of any sIch alleged abu.
SEES, be interrupted, moleSte1 ar detained while
the ocean; and if thus mocscd and detained
While pursuing honest voyages IN the usual way,
aud violating 40 law themselves, they are uuques-
tiouabIy entitled To indemnity. This Government
has manifested its repugnince To the slave trade in
manner which cannot he misunderstood
By its fundamental law, il prescribed limits in
point of time tn its continuance; and against its
own citizens, who sht 81 far forget the rehl of
humanity as 10 engage in that wicked traffic it has
long since by its muncipal laws, denounced the
most condlgn punishment. Many OF the States
composing This Union had made Appeals the civ
ized world Tor its suppression, long before the
moral sense of other nations had become shocked
by the inquiries ofthe traffic Whether this gov
ernmeut should now enter into treaties contai; ,ing
mutual stpnlatlons upon this snhac., is question:
Tor It's mature de''hafaon Certain il is that if the
risa; 10 deain American ships on the high seas
can be justified on the plea of necessity for such
detention, arising out OF the existence of Treaties
between other nations the same plea may he ex
tended and enlarged by the new stpuations Of
new treaties, 10 which the United States may not
be party. The Government will not to
urge upon that of Graat Britain, full and ample
| remuneration for all loses, whether arising from
detention or otherwise, TO which American citi
zens have heretofore been, or may hereafter be
| subjected, by the exercise OF rights which this
I Government cannot recognize legitimate and
proper.
Justice of Great Britain will constrain her to make
retribution for any wrong, or loss, which any A
mcrican citizens, engaged in the prosecuiion of law
full commerce, may have experienced at the hand
of cruisers of other public authorities. THIS
government, at the same time, will relax no ei
fort to prevent its citizens there be any dispo
sed from prosecuting traffic revolving tn the
feelings of humanity. 1t seeks TO do more than
protect The fair and honest trader from moos ,ation
and injury; but while the enterprisng mariner, en-
gagged in the pursuit of an honorable tiade is emit
Al Il ptlnn WISH ItUn
punishment others of an opposite character.
invite your attention o,the existing laws for the
suppression Of the African slave trade, and recon
mend all such alterations may give them
greater force and efficacy. That the American
flag is greatly abused by the abandoned aud prof,
gate OF other nations, is but probable. Congress-
has, not long since had his subject under It's con
s,deralon, aud its importance well justfcs renew
and anxious attention
! also communicate herewith the copy of cor
respondence between Mr.. Stevenson and Lord
Palmerstop, upon the subject so interesting to sew
erai of the Southern States, of the rice duties,
! which resulted honorably to the justice of Great
Briiun, and advantageously to the United STATES
I AT the opening of The last annual session the
sidp M nlo CONGRESS of the which