Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-12-14

" iosltt niffi OF ho1 tnnde common cautr WIN
thoso who were IN the occupancy Of Navy Island,
then 80 isr be is concerned there can I've oelaim
to indemnify for the dsssruciion Of his boat which
THIS Government would Eel itself bound prosecute
since he would have acted no only IN derogaiun
81 the rights 81 Great britain bui in clear violation
Of the laws 81 the United States bm tina, n qn,s-
ton which. however sssilcd IN manner involves
the higher consideration Of the violation Of territorial
sovereignty and jurisdiction To recognise II as
admissible practice ihai each government, in its turn,
upon any sudden and unauthorized Out break. which,
on frontier the e1n, Of which renders il lmpossi-
BILE FOR either ~ have efficient lorccon every mile
OF II, and which outbreak therefore neither may be
able 10 suppress IN day may take vengeance into
rs own hands and without even rcmonsrance and
ia the absence ofany pressing oyerrulmg tssl-
~. may invade the territory ofthe other would nev
by lead TO results equally 10 be deporod by both.
When border collisions come TO receive the sanction,
or to be made the authority of either Govern
mont, general war mus be the inevitable result
While It Is the ardent desire Of the United States
cultivate the relations Of peace with all nations and
to fulfil all the duties Of good ncghborhood towards
those who possess territories adjoining their own.
that very desire would lead them TO deny the right
Of any foreign power TO invade their boundary with
an armed force The correspondence between the
two Governments on this subject, will, at n future
day Of vour session be submitted your considera
ton and IN The mean time cannot but indulge the
hope that the British Government will see the pro-
prieiy of rcnouncing ms rule Of future action the
precedent which has been SGT in the affair a, Schlos.
ser
herewith submit the correspondence which has
recently taken place between the American Minister
nj the Court Of ST James Mr. Stevenson and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Of that Government on
the right claimed by that Government TO visit and
detain vessels sailing under the American flag and
engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce in the AZ.
rican Our commercial interests in that region
have experienced considerable increase and have be
come object of much importance and is the du-
ty OF this Government 10 protect them against all i'm
proper and vexatious interruption. However desr-
Gus the United States may be for the suppression of
the slave trade they cannot consent to interpretations
into the maritime code at the mere will and pleas
ure of other governments We deny the right of
any such interpolation to any one all the nations
of the Earth. without consent We claim TO
have voice in all amendments or alterations of that
code--and when we given to understand, in
this instance by foreign Government that its trea
ties with other nations cannot be executed without
the establishment end enforcement of new principles
Of maratime police, to be applied without con-
sent, we must employ language neither of equivo
cal import, or susceptible of misconstructon. Amer
lean citizens prosecuting lawful commerce in the
African seas under the flag of their country, not
responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that flag
such alleged abuses, be interrupted, moesed or de-
tanned, while pursuing honest voyages, in the usual
way, and violating no law themselves, they un
questionably entitled to indemnity. This Govern
ment has manifested It's repugnance to the slave trade
in manner which cannot be misunderstood BY
its fundamental law, it prescribed limits in point o
time It's continuance and against its own citizens
who might far forget the rights of humanity as tt
engage in that wicked traffic has long since, by it.
municipal laws, pronounced the most condgn pun
ishmon Many of the States composing this Union
had made appeals to the civilized world for It's sup
PRESTON long before the moral sense of other nation
had become shocked by the niquities of the traffic
Whether this Government should now enter int
treaties containing mutual spuations upon this sub
lect, is question for its mature deliberaon Ger
tain is that if the right to detan American ship
on the high can be justified the plea of M
! ccsslty for such detention arising out of the exs
l ence OF treaties between other nations the same pie
S may be extended and enlarged by the new stipula
+ tons of new treaties, TO which th, United States ma
e not be party This government will not cease
urge upon that of Great Britain full and ample RI
Enumeration for all losses, whether arising from dc
: tcn,ion otherwise, to which American citizen
! have heretofore been or may hereafter be subjecte,
!, by the exercise of rights which this Governmer
cannot recognise ms legitimate and proper Nor wi
indulge doubt but that the sense of Justice of Gree
Britain will consran her TO make rotribution f
II any wrong or loss, which any American citizel
J. engaged in the prosecution of lawful commerce ma
e have experienced the hand of her cruisers or oil
: er public authorities This government at the san
" time, will relax effort TO prevent its citizens
u there be any so disposed from prosecuting trait
so revolving 10 the feelings of humanity 1t seeks
= do than protect the fair and honest trade
o. from molesation and injury; but while the enterpr
a. ing mariner, engaged in the pursuit of an honorab
" trade is entitled 10 its protection, will visit wi
" condign punishment others Of an opposite characte
- invite your attention 10 existing laws for the su
II preston Of the African slave-trade and rocommel
= all such alterations may give to them great
" force and efficacy. That the American flag is gro.
~ abused by the abandoned and profigate of 9th
Va nations is but too probable Congress has, not lor
se since had this subject under its consideration al
M its importance well justifcs renewed and anxious
~ teniion
- also communicate herewith thecopy of CORE
/" pondence between Mr. Stevenson and Lord Paine
~ ton upon the subject so interesting to several of
Ut Southern States Of the rice duties which result
ah honorahly 10 the justice Of Great Britain and advs
:" tageouSly to the United States
ne Al the opening Of the last annual session,
re President Informed Congress Of the progress viii
o', had then been made in negotiating a convention