Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-30

and their papersto the examination and decision
OF every subordinate naval commander Is il
not the right Of placing British cruisers on any
part OF the ocean that her Majesty's Government
may select, and prescribing the terms upon which
other nations are to participate inthe freedom of
the seas! Is 1t not, in effect, acclaim ofurisdic-
ton over the whole of the African coasts and
seas, as exclusive as that which could only be
enjoyed within the acknowledged limits of local
sovereignty! To these questions but one answer
can be give.i. 1t must be in the Affirmative
But to what consequence would not such a pow
er lead, ifonce submitted tof here would il
endt IfGreat Britain can exercise such power,
why may not other nations do the samel What
is there to prevent those States, especially, which
have entered into treaties for the abolition of sla-
very, from subjecting the vessels and commerce
Of the United States to similar Interruptions and
embarrassments :"
He discusses the subject further, and arrives at
the conclusion, that there sis no essential differ
ence whatever, between the right of search, and
that now asserted by the British Government"
He then notices in detail the other points of Lord
Aberdeen's argument, and concludes thus:
''The undersigned must, therefore, after the
most careful consideration of the arguments adj
vanced IN Lord Aberdeen's note, repeat the opin-
ion which he has heretofore expressed, that if
power such as that which is now asserted bv her
MaJestys government shall be enforced, not on
ly without consent, but in the face of direct re-
tusa to concede it. 1t can be regarded in no other
light by the Government of the United States
than violation Of national rights and SOVEREIGN
ty, and the incontestible principles of interna-
t'onal law. That its exercise may lead to con-
sequences OF painful character, there Is too
much reason apprehend. In case of conflicting
rights between nations, the precise line which
neither can pass. but to which each may ad vance,
is not easily found marked; and vet it exists,
whatever may the difficulty of discerning it, In
ordinary cases of disagreement there is little dam
ger; each nation may and often does yield some
thng TO the other. Such, however, it is to be
feared. is not the present case. The peculiar ma
ture OF the power asserted, and the consequences
which may be apprehended from its exercise,
make 1t one OF an important and momentous
character. Involving as itdoes, questions ofhigh
anu dangerous sovereignty, it may Justly be re.
garded as deeply endangerng the good under.
standing OF the two countries. Ought Her Ma.
Jesty' Government then, under such crcumstan.
ces, to insist upon its enforcement? That il will
not, the undersigned cannot permit himself 70
doubt lie will therefore continue to cherish the
nope that, upon careful review of the whole
subject, Her Majesty's Government will see the
importance OF adopting other measures for the
suppression OF the slave trade than those now
proposed, and which will be far better Gale lated
not only to accomplish the object desired, but to
preserve the friendly relations of the two countries
upon principles consistent with the interest and
honor of both"