The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-13


new views Of its harmony, dignity, and eleva-
ton from the survey Of this noble work.
THE RIGHT OF SEARCH-SUPPRESS
Z OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
, THE UNITED STATES.
The following are extracts from correspondence
with foreign powers not parties to conventions giving
right of searching vessels suspected of slave trade
Gently presented to both Houses Of Parliament by
command of her Majesty: l
Mr.. Stevenson to Viscount Palperston.
80 UPPER GRosyENoR STREET,
November 18th, 1880.
..~.-.-. (Received No. l4.)
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenpotentiary from the United States has been
instructed by his Government to transmit to Lord Pal
merson, her Majestys principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, the accompanying papers, con-
tanning the evidence of another search
detention, and illusage of an American vessel and
her crew. on the coast Of Africa, by one of her Ma
estys cruizers employed for the suppression of the
slave trade, and which, in the opinion Of the Pfes
dent ormsa proper subject for complaint and satisac
tory retribution.
The following are the prominent facts ofthe case:
The American brig Douglass, Of Duxbury, in Mas
sachusetts, Of 200 tons burthen, and commanded by
Alvin Baker MASTER and William Arnold mate, sail
ed from the Havana the 9th ofAugust 1889, laden
with cargo of merchandise, and having sundry pas
sengers on board sailed for the port Of the river Bras
That on the 3ist Of October, this brig, whilst pur-
suing her voyage boarded by Lieutenant Segram,
Of her Majesty's brigantine cruzer, the Termgant,
with some Of her crow, who proceeded forthwith to
overhaul the ships papers and passengers passports
open, the American flag which was then flying to be
hauled down, and the vessel seized as a SLAYER.
That the captains papers and log book were then
demanded, and taken on board the Termigant and
the Dougles committed to the charge of and
crew from the British cruizer, who Immediately or
dered the sails to be set, and proceeded to sea.
AT 5 o'clock p m. ten men were sent on board with
and provisions and the passengers taken to the
Ternagant and both vessels then made sail and stood
to the westward.
That on the 23d of October, about daylie ht the
Termagant came alongside the Douglas, with the
purser and of her passengers tor stores and prov
sions and then returned to the cruizer.
That from the 2lst to the 26th Of October the
American brig continued in charge of her cruzer,
when they parted and lost sight of each other, the
brig, however, still continuing in possession of the
officer and men from the Termagant.
That on the 10Th, and to the westward Of Popoe on
the African coast, the Termagant again appeared
alongside Of the Douglass and hove TOT sent the super
cargo and purser board ordered Captain Baker on
board the cruiser, and Lieutenant Segram then deli
vered to him his papers, with permission to proceed
on his voyage.
The passengers were also permitted to return to the
Douglas, and the Termagant having taken her prize
crew, and officer on board the Douglas made all sail
, That on the 9th Of November, the Douglas an
chored ia the Nun, river the African coast which
she left on the 18th Of December and proceeded in
ballast to Curacoa where she arrived on the 23d ia
That on the 9th Of February, she sailed from Cur
racoa with cargo of salt for the Havana which she
reached on the 21st of that month.
That in the passage from the pestiential coast Of
Africa to Curacao, the Douglas lost three Of her
Providence, and Andrew Clough, Of Boston, and
Frederick Walton, British subject who were taken
i'll and died.
That the Douglas, at the time of her sailing from
the Havana, light, staunch, and strong, and her
matches well caulked and covered, and was well and
| sufficiently manned, and provided with all things
needful for her voyage and was in that state when
she boarded and literally captured BY the British
cruizer.
Such are the facts detailed in the protest of the cap
tain and mate, herewith Transmitted, and which, it is
presumed, can leave no doubt to the unprovoked
and fragrant character of the proceeding or the
ration due the rights Of the United States, and the
| honor of their flag.
In presenting the subject to the notice of Her Ma
estys Government it cannot be needfu that the I'M
designed should do more than refer Lord Pamerston
to the correspondence which has heretofore taken
place between the two Governments, and more espe-
/
the honor of addressing his Lordshp under date of
9Th Of February, 18th of May, and 18th OF August
last and express the painful regret which the Go
vernment of the United States feels that the remon-
strances which have been heretorefore made should
have proved unavaling in preventing the repetition Of
such abuses those which have repeatedly been
made the subject of complaint against Her Majesty
naval officers.
Her Majesty's Government cannot be insensble of
the strong desire which the Government ofthe United
he natio at feel N n
annihilation of the African slave trade.
The course pursued for the last 30 years is best cal
culated to mark the feelings and opinions of the Go
vernment and the people OF the United States in rea-
LIKED nations as alike repugnant to justice and hui
mainly and which, in relation TO the United States,
is not the less so to all the dictates of sound policy
1t is true that the American Government have de-
cned to become party in treaties with other nations
for the suppression of the slave trade. Although re-
peatedly urged by Her Majesty,s Government TO do
So the United States have been forced to decline all
conventional arrangements, by which the ofhcers OF
shpsof war Of either country should have the right
to board search capture OF carry into foreign ports
for adjudication the vessels Of each other engaged in
the slave trade. Indeed may be well doubted, apart
from other considerations whether the constitutional
powers Of the American Government would be com
petent carry into effect those portions Of the exist
ing system indispensably necessary to give II the
character Of just reciprocity.
These objections on the part Of the United States
have been repeatedly and frankly made known to Her
Maesy's Government, and are doubtless well under
stood by the British cabinet and the more especially
So as il was an obstacle proceeding from the same
principle which it is presumed prevented Great Bril-
tain herself from becoming formally party to the holy
alliance. II will not, however, be understood that
the United States have been insensble to the friendly
spirit of confidence with which these applications
have been made the part of Her Majestys Govern
ment or that the United States have ceased to feel
that strong soIcitude for the total humiliation Of the
traffic, which has distinguished the whole course of
their policy On the contrary, having been the first
10 abolish within the extent of their authority the
transportation of the natives of Africa into slavery by
prohibiting the introduction Of slaves, and by punish
ing their citizens for participating in the traffic
and having moreover taken the steps which it deem
ed proper to prevent the abuse of their flag by the
subjects Of other powers the Government of the Uni
ted States cannot but feel sincere qualification at the
progress made by the efforts of other nations for the
general extinction Of this odous traffic, and, conse-
4uently, undminished socitude to give the fullest