Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-12-14

in all amendments or alterations of that
code; and whom we are given TO under
stand, as in this instance, oy a foreign
Government, that its treaties with olhe r
nations cannot be executed without the
establishment and enforcement Of ne W
principles Of maritime policy, to be ep-
piled without our consent, we must en-
PIoy a language neither Of equivocaI
import, or susceptible of misconstruc-
tiUn.
American citizens prosecuting law
lul commerce in the African seas, under
the flag Of their country, are not respon
sble for the abuse or unlawful use oil
that flag by others; nor can they right.
fully on account OF any such illegal
abuses, be interrupted, moIested OF
detained, while on the ocean and if thus
molested and detained, while pursuing
honest voyages, in the usual way, and
violating no law themselves, they are
unquestlonabIy entitled to indemnity.
This Government has manifested re-
pug2ance 10 the slave trade. in a man.
nerwhich cannot be misunderstood -
BY lis fundamental law, it prescribed
limits, in point of time, 10 its contnu.
ance; and against its own citizens,
who might SO far forget the rights OF
humanity as TO engage in that wick.
ed traffic, it has long since, by its mu-
ncipal laws, denounced The most con-
dign punishment Many OF the Slates
composing this Union, had made ap
Peals TO the civilized world for lis sup
preston, long before the moral sense of
other nations had become shocked bv
the inlqulues of The traffic Whether
this Government should now enter into
treaties containing mutual slipuations
upon this subject, is d question for its
mature deIberatIon. Certain il ls, that
if the right to detain American ships on
the high seas can be justified on the plea
of a necessity for such detention, arising
out Of the existence of treaties between
other nations, the same plea may be ex.
tended and enlarged by the new stipula.
lions Of new treaties, TO which the Uni
ted States may not be a party, This
will not ceOse to urge upon
that Of Great Britain, full and ample
remuneration for all losses, whether
arising from detention or otherwise, TO
which American citizens have heF9to-
lore been, or may hereafter be subject
ed, by The exercise Of rights which This
Government cannot recognize as Iegi.
innate and proper. Nor will indug ge
a doubt but that the sense of justice Of
Great Britain will constrain her to make
relrihuton for any wrong, or loss, which
any American citizen engaged in the
prosecution OF lawful commerce, may
have experienced at the hand OF her
,ruizers, or other public authorities -
This Government, at the same time, will
relax no effort 10 prevent its citizens,
If there be any so disposed, from prose
cutting a traffic so revolving 10 the feel
ings Of humanity. 1t seeks 10 do no
more than 10 protect the fair and honest
raider from moIestatiGn and injury, but
while The enterPrisng mariner, engag-
ID in the pursuit Of an honorable trade,
IS entitled to its protection, it will visit
with condign punishment, others Of an
opposite character,
invite your attanton 10 the existing
avs for The suppression OF the The AT
rican slave trade, and recommend all
such alterations, as may give to them
greater force and efficacy, That The
American flag is grossly abused by the a.
,andoned and prohgate of other nations
8 but too probable. Congress has, not
ong since, had this subjec, under its
consideration, and It's importance justi
les renewed and anxiols attention.
also communicate herewith the copy
If a correspondence held between Mr..
Stevenson and Lord Palmerston, upon
he subject so interesting TO several of
he Southern States, oi the rice duties,
which resulted honorably TO the justice
If grea! Britain and advantageously 10
he United States.
At the opening of the last annual ses.
lion, the President informed Congress Of
he progress which had then been made
n negotiating a Convention between
his government and that Of England
With a view to the final settlement ol
he question of the boundary between
he territorial limits Of the two coun-
res. Iregret TO say, that little fur
her advancement Of the object has been
accomplished since last yoari but this
S owing to circumstances no way in
Iicalive Of any abatemen Of the desire
# both parties TO hasten the negotiation
o its conclusion. and 10 settle the ques.
ion in dispute as early as possible. Ia
he course OF the session, it is my hope
O be able 10 announce some further de.
,ree Of progress towards the accomplish
nent oCthis highly desirable end.
The commission appointed by this
government for the exploration AMI sur
r l..