Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-15

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The scn"nee was reversed by Lord Stnwell in the
year lsl7. At that period, GrrN, Britain had no
reason to presume that the slave trade was regard
co as criminal by the whoe civilized world, or that
all nations had united their efforts for its suppress
SION And, even II such had been the case it won q
nave been very Ear from ailordirC any justification
oil the sentence reversed. But the undersigned
mus OBSERVE mat the present happy concurrence OF
the States OF Chrisiendom in this great object not
merely juSthes bot renders INDISPENSABLE the rich,
now claimed and exercised 10y the British Govern To-
ment' The undersigned readily rdmits that to vi
SIT ana search American vessels in time Of peace,
"hen mat right OF search is not granted by treaty
would be an iniracton of public law and q violation
OF nat'onal dIsnry and independence But no such
right is asserted.
we sincerey desire to respect vessels Of the Uni
'eu states, but we may reasonably expect to know
what It really is that VIC respect Doubtless the
nag IS prtRa faeis evidence Of the nationality of the
vessel; and It this evidence WERE in its nature con-
elusive and rreiraga5lc, It ought preclude all fur
Their inquiry. But it is sufficiently notorious that
the flags OF all nations are liable TO bc assumed by
those who have no right or title to bear :hem.
mr. stevenson himSelfiuly admits the extent TO
which the American flag has been employed for the
purpose OF covering this infamous traffic
The undersigned joins with Mr. Stevenson in
ueepy .amentng the evil, and he agrees with him
IN thinking that the United States ought not 10 lie
considered responsible for this abuse OF their hsg.
out AL inquiry be resisted, even when carried no
lutIher than 10 ascertain the nationality OF the ycs
SCI, and mPunity be claimed for the most lswless
and desperate OF mankind in the commission of this
fraud, the undersigned greatly fears that II may lie
regarded rs something like an assumption Of that
responsibility which has been deprecated by Mr.
Stevenson.
While Mr.. Stevenson dcp'ores the prevalence of
TINS abuse, and the nearoUs character of the trade
can he DC saushed tina! no remedy should DO appi.
TIE undersigned hopes and believes that the
number ct bona hde American vessels engaged in
the trade IS very small, end thus the danger Of in
reference With such vessels by British cruisers must
be OF rors occurrence.
Mr. Stevcrson will admit that his obiectio, to
this interference would, under anv circumstances,
tenu m us consequences TO the protec ION OF an
ahnmina9le treih,, stismNrze by the whole Chris
uan word; but tue confession Of Mr.. Stevenson
That the trade ~ extensively carried on under the
fraudulent use the American flag docs in truth ius-
thy the whole claim put forward by the Brush Go
vernment.
|, constitutes that reasonable ground of suspicion
winch inc law OF nations rrQuIr IN such case
ne admitted fact Of this abuse Creates the right Of
inquiry.
The undersigned renounces all pretension on the
part 81 the Blush Government to visit and search
american vessels IN time of peace. Nor is /; rs
American that such vessels are ever visl,c1 But IL
has been the Invlr'abe practice Of the British Ma
w, and, as the undersigned believes OF oil nayies
IN the world TO ascertain by visit the real natonai-
~ OF merchant vessels with on the hi.h seas #
there 6e good reason 10 upprehend their illegal
character.
In certain ATTITUDES and for a particular object.
the vessels referred 10 visited, not as American
GU eilhtr as BRUSH vessels engaged IN an unlawful
traihc, and carrying the flag OF the United States
tor criminal purpose, or as belonging 10 States
which have by treaty conceded TO Great Britain the
right OF search and which right Il is attcmuted de-
ieat ny irnuduleniy bearing the PROTECTING fa- Of
the Ononi or, finally, they visited as p,rutlcal
Atty whatever.
Now, itcan scarcely be maintained bv MIR s..
Yenson mat Great Britain should be bound TO pe-.
mt her own subjects, with British vessels and Bnt-
isn capita, 10 carry on before the eyes Of British
oEl'eTs this cetestaA.e lrrthc in human beings
which the law has declared to be piracy. merely L,
cause they had the audacIIy TO commit an addition
fig.
Neither could Mr. Stevenson, with more reason
anm mat the subjects Of States which have giant.
ed TO Great Britain the right OF search should be
enabled u violate the obligation of their treaties
by displaying the f's Of the Union, contrary to the
VA and III defiance OF the American Government
Sill less would Mr. Stevenson pretend to claim,
immunity for pIrauca, zdv,ntuters who should en-
deavor TO shelter their aw less proceedings under The
ensign Of the United States.
But unless II: Stevenson he prepared 10 main
tam these propositions, the whole fabric of MS mr.
sument falls ~ the ground; for the undersigned
admits, That II the British cruiser should no.ssss a
know edge OF the American character OF any YES.
Sc ms station OF su-h vesse. would be entirely
unIustlhabe.
are due TO the American fig, that no vessel bearing
II ought to be visited by British cruiser EXCEPT
uh4er me most grave suspicious ana well founded
doubts o. the commences Of Ils character
Inc undersigned, although with pain must add
mat u such visit should lead To the proof OF the
American origin OF the vessel, and that rho W.,
aVowediy engaged IN the slave trade exhibiting IN
we" the manac0cs, letters, and other usual impls-
msnis OF torture, or had even a number of ,hers
unfortunate beings board no Blush officer couId
interfere further.
lie might give Information 10 the cruisers Of the
Chi'ed states, but It would not be in his own DOW
CT 70 arrest or impede the prosecution Of the voyage
and the success Of the undertaking
Il Is obvious, therefore, that the utmost capti,n
Is necessary IN the exercise Of the right Claimed by
Great Britain. While we have recourse TO the ne.
cesShTy, and indeed the only means for detecting
inposture' the practice will be carefully guarded.
A"u ''mite1 10 cases Ot strong suspicion. The IN
uersIghed bcgs 10 assure MIR Stevenson that the
mos, precise and positive instructions have been
ISSUED 70 Her Mrlesy's officers on this subject
Tie United States hive sllgmnt.zsd this aborni-
nab trade m terms Of adherence o. strong ss the
people OF tins country. They are also actively en-
gagged m ITS suppression. Blu; IT, instead Of Joining
'her Efforts 20 those Vi Gica, Britain and l6boriny
win nee or the attainment OF .his great blessing 10
humanI'y' The United States had wished 20 10 low
ON rem! course, The reasoning employed in MIR Sc
"a EDF 9
20 inris defence and justification.
The undersigned, with his conviction Of the mr.
lrcl GOOD Irlin aud sincerity OF the Government of
NE United SAGE, would almost tear 10 offend MIR
SieErn'on even ~ dIscIaimlng any such suspicion:
but hg believes Nj Stevenson will agree with him
IN Iamenurg that the Effects Of the policy Of the
'loitsd atys should have any tendency 10 create a
oiH'Tsnl impression ~ the minds If those y no rr.
y.sp"sea TO think ess faVoraD.y ard lees Justly upon
this subject.
Gre1t Britain makes no pretension, claims no
fgut, which she IS not ready and CesIrOus TO con.
ccde 10 the United stes.
mutual right Of search, regulated in such n
manner as N prevent the occurrence ut any irritating
cIrcumsianccs, has always appeared to the UNDER
S snsd 10 be the most reasonable the most simple,
md most ,dectuaI method OF attaining the Great
object whIch both Governments have ~ view
Bot this prOpOsa. has already been rejected by
The unlt'd States, and the undersigned Is no. in.
sifuc;e1 again 20 offer II for consideration
Il - for the American Government alone 70 de-
.etmne what may be duo 20 just regard 70. their
nnuUna. dignity 1nd national intsr,s.s; bu, the az,
Ie"Ered must Ue permitted to express his conyIc.
ton, that rights which have been mutually conca-
ted 10 each other by tho Governments Of Great
britain and France can scarcely be incompatible
with the honor nnd independence Of any State upon
the face Of the earth.
The undersigned avaI'g himself or this orrnslon
70 request Of Mr. Stevenson 10 aCcsp, tho assurau-
ces Of his distinguished consideration
ABERDEEN.
a. STEvTEs0H, ESQ, &c.
Toms SlorEl.ia,,s ~ m, Jane, Ris,r and R4Havba
Company 10 bs as7s8,bsdfu General Msshnr durinS
10 arr