Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1841-12-23
THURSDAY. DECEMBER %. 1871.
RIGHT OF SEARCH.

merson and subsequently Lord Aberdeen. and late
Minister to Great Britain, Andrew Stevenson Esq. We
have risen from its persal with exalted opinion Of
talents Of the latter gentleman than had before
entertained for be denied that in this correspo
dencc he has acquitted himself with signal ability
In answer to the complaints of Mr. Stevenson that
eral American vessels engaged in lawful trade the
coast Of Africa, had been searched by British cruisers
On the pretcxt that they engaged in smuggling
shves, Lord Palmerston admits the rregulay of the
proceeding but expresses the conviction that the British
officers did not intend any dsrespect to the American
flag, but. the contrary, believed that, in considc
ration of the object in viewhc suppression OF the slave
trade,--they were pursuaga which would be ap
proved by the government Of the l.. States lie also
expressly discaims all right of the British crizcrs
search American vessels. To this Mr.. Stevenson re
plies, that while the L. S government is not nsensble
10 the Importance of suppessng the slave trade ii can
mot consent to contribute to that result by sacrificing the
rights of its citizens tie honor Gifts flag.
In the WHILE change of Ministry takes place
Great Britain, and Lord Aberdeen supcrsed,s Lord Pal
merston. Lord A. in reply to Mr.. Stevenson, Gas his
predecessor had uneluivocally done) renounces 'al
pretenton, on the part Of the British government to Wis
il and search American vessels in time of peace - and
says, that the vessels hitherto searched. visited
'not american, but British vessels engaged in an
unlawful traffic, and carrying heHag Of The ncd States
for criminal purpose. or as belonging TO States which
have by treaty conceded to Great Britain the reht of
Search. lie admits, too that $50 much respect and
honor due TO the American flag, that vessel bear
ing it ought to be visited by British cruiser, except
under the most grave suspicious and wei! founded doubts
Of the genuneness of its character " and adds, that he
most precise and positive instructions havebeen issued TO
the British officers this subject. Lord A. declares
that "Great Britain makes pretensons. and claims
right which she is not willing to concede 10 the United
States" Both of the British Secretaries contend, how
ever, that the 'lag' under which vessel may sail
ought not always to be regarded certainly indicative Of
her character: 'tor though by common parlance the
flag Is used to express the test Of nationality and
and though according TO that acceptaton of the word
Her Majesty S Government, admit that British cruisers
not entitled in time of peace to search merchant vessels
sailing under the American flag yet Her Majesty Coy
eminent do not thereby say that "A merchantmen
can exempt himself from search by merely hosting
piece of bunting with the t. s. cmblcs aud coors upon
it. That which Her Maesty's Government mean is
that the rights OF the United States flag exempt vessel
from search, when that vessel is provided with papers
enttlng her TO ace that ag, and proving her to be L.
S. property. and avgated according to law And
here lies the whole gil of the controversy, the Brit
sh Secretaries both conccde all that we ask reference
to the right Of search in the abstract but they contend
that they should have the privilege to examine into the
right OF vessel sailing under our flag hoist the .'st
ped bunting" at its mast head But the exception mani
testify destroys the concession since it in sub
stance to ths,-that British cruiser h as a right to
search vessel sailing under the American flag order
To ascertain whether he has right to search her
power susceptible as every one must see at glance
of most fragrant abuse for which there would be always
this convenient excuse. that he gravcy suspected she
was not entitled to wear that flag This sufficient
justification of MIR. Sevensos refusal to yiedhis
to this modification of the principle Notwithstanding the
force 9th argument urged by the British Secretaries
that without permitting this examination, it is manifest
that the slave trade may be carried with IMMUNITY by
vessels ted out In foreign ports and manned by foreign
seamcn, which may hoist the American flag in their p-
ralcal expeditions. Mr.. Stevenson enters at Great
length, and with powerful effect, into the grounds whch
'st compel the American government object to the
it OF search, however modified in principle or howev-
Il desirable the object proposed TO be accomplished by its
exercise Mr. Stevensons letter closes the correspn-
dence, having been written Just he was abon, TO en-
bark for the United States
In connection with this interesting question: (Which
was one OF the principal grounds Of complaint against
Treat Britain. that led to the last war; but in the adjust
heht OF which, the right bein. solemny renowned
oy 'hat Power, We cannot apprehcnd any serious diff
culty) the N. \. Commercial Advertiser has the fol
lowing paragraph. in relation a reciprocal and modified
usage OF search with to the effective snnrosson
OF the slave trade: I'VE have reason to believe II,
says) that proposition for this object cap,ble ofbeipo
madc entirely understandable our part is now or soon
will be taken into consideration by the British Govern
mcnt, and in due presented to the Governuon,
'oi the ,ned States With the principle of the mea
sure we are thoroughly acquainted and can sce M
fault in it but until its details are perfected. yc do nat
feel at liberty to say more
20 The Jonesbourough CTenn) Wing, SAYS there
are Two Mormon Preachers constantly llbornu in the
county OF Smyth in Virginia and now number about
f'Ntve IN that county, with fair prospect of ncrea
sing One OF the preachers but the other day. rose up in
u" pulpit and uttered some sibbe'ish and then told
the people that he had preached to them in three different
languages! They lr itss the gift of tongues-he
power OF working miacles-aud nearly all that pertain
"a TO Chrst andthe Apostles, in the days of old
10 The Lexington (Na) Gaz cite, contradicts the
fnmors that in circulation in various parts Of the
county, that the Small Pox prevails in tina, town. 1t
says we are happy to state that there is not and has
mot hoo