Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-16

ed 1t his duty TO submit TO Lord AberdeenS considera-
ton, the doctrines contained IN Lord Pamersion
note Of a character and alarming 10 national
sovereignty and sensbilty, and the friendly relations
Of the two countries. He has presented them with the
irankness and earnestness which their Importance
mcrited, and with the high respect due to her MaJes-
tvs Government lie has, therefore, no other duty
now 10 perform than to transmit copies of Lord Palmer
ston s communications to his Government, and to pro-
test IN the most solemn annner against their doctrines,
as alike inconsistent with the principles nj public law,
with the rights and sovereignty of the United States,
and with that of justice and right which belong
the British nation.
The undersigned prays Lord Aberdeen to accept as
surances of his high consideration and respect.
| A. STEVENSON.
TO the Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen.
Lord aberdeen 10 Mr. Sttrenson.
FonEiGS OFFICE, Oct. Ii, l64i.
The undersigned, her Majesty Principal Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs, has had the honor
ceve the note of MIR. Stevenson Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotenlary of the U. s. of America
dated on the 10th Of Sept, in continuation of cores
pondence with the predecessor of the undersigned in
this office, and relating to the visitation of vessels bear
ing the American flag and suspected of being engaged
in the African slave trade
If the undersigned feels il necessary to offer some
remarks upon the of Mr. Stevenson he is DESTROYS
of doing in the best calculated to ensure
candid and impartial consideration; for he would deeply
regret that any hashness asperity Of expression
should aggravate the difficulties Of subject whchis
at all times but too liable 10 produce excitement and
irritation. The undersigned is aware of the suscep,
bi!ity Of national feeling in all that affects national no.
nor, and he requests Mr. Stevenson 10 believe that il is
with the most uniegned respect for the rights honor,
and independence Of the u. $, that he proceeds
TO address him.
The undersigned will iorbear from entering into any
particulars Of the visitation Of the vessels which has
formed the principal matter of Mr. Stevensons COM
plant to Her Majestys Government, and which has
been fully discussed in his correspondence with tho
predecessor ofthc undersigned.
| That proceeding may have been justihable other
wise, and the undersigned will be prepared, Unnecessary,
to enter with Mr. Stevenson into the details Of the qucs
tom but his present object is that Of general
nature. lie is DESTROYS Of placing very briefly before
Mr.. Stevenson the consequences OF those principles
which he has laid down. and to appeal his candor-
the undersigned had almost said The dictates Of plain
sensc-n order to reject such n conclusion that
which must necessarily flow from the arguments con-
tanned in Mr. Stevenson note.
Mr.. Stevenson claims for The American flag an alb
soluc exemption from all interference and utterly de-
MES the right of the British Government, under any
circumstances whatever, TO visit i'll time Of peace,
chant vessels bearing the flag of the Union
| Mr.. Stevenson quotes The opinion delivered by Lord
Stowe upon this subject, who declares that in order
TO extirpae this odious traffic. would not be lawful
to capture vessels, if they had slaves board,
and, also, that for the purpose, however audabe,
Now the aagld Rf dig a = e sssf VINO
presume 10 question the authority OF the distinguished
iurist TO whom Mr.. Stevenson has referred. But MIR.
Stowell was delivered in the Of French vessel
which had actually been captured, and was condemned
by British tribunal. The sentence reversed by
Lord Stowell III the year ISL. AT that period, Great
Britain had 10 reason to presume that the slave trade
regarded as criminal by the whole civilized world,
or that all nations had united their efforts for its sup
preston. And, even if such had been the case, IT
would have been very far from atordlng any ustifca
ton of the sentence reversed But the undersigned
must observe that the present happy concurrence OF
lie q ChrstendOm
merely justEes, but renders indispensable, the right
now claimed and exercised by the British Government.
The undersigned readily admits that TO visit and search
American vessels in time Of peace, when that right OF
search is not granted by treaty. would be an nracton
of public law and violation of national dignity and
independence But no such right is asserted
We sincerely desire TO respect vessels OF the u 5,
but may reasonably expect 10 know what il really is
that we respect. Doubtless the flag is prna tace evil
dcnce Of the nationality of the vessel and If this ev,
dence were lis nature conclusive and irrefragabe,
it ought TO preclude all further inquiry But is suil
GENTLY notorious that the flags of all nations are liable
to be assumed by those who have right or title to
bear them
! Mr. Stevenson himself fully admits the extent TO
which the American flag has been employed for the
purpose of covering this infamous traffic.
The undersigned joins with MIR. Stevenson IN deeply
lanlentng the evil and he agrees with him in thinking
that the IT, S. ought to be considered responsible
for this abuse OF their flag But If all inquiry be re-
sisted even when carried further than TO ascertain
for the most awess and desperate Of mankind in the
commission of this fraud the undersigned greatly fears
that it may be regarded as something like an assump-
ton of that responsibility which has been deprecatedby
| Mr.. Stevenson.
While MIR. Stevenson deplores the prevalence of this
abuse and the nefarious character of the trade can he
be satisfied that no remedy should be applied or at
tempted?
The undersigned hopes and believes that the number
Of bona fdc American vessels engaged in the trade il
very small and thus The danger OF interference with
such vessels by British cruisers must be of rare occur
renee.
Mr. Stevenson will admit that his objection TO this
interference would under any circumstances, tend 10
its consequences to the protection of an abomnable
traffic, stgmazed by the whole Christian world but
the confession Of Mr. Stevenson that the trade is ex.
tensively carried under the fraudulent Of the
American flag, does in truth justify The whole claim put
forward by the British Government.
II constitutes that reasonable ground Of suspicion
which the law of nations requires in such case. The
admitted fact OF this abuse the right of inquiry
The undersigned renounccs all preension The
part of the British Government TO visit and search
American vessels in time Of peace. Nor is It as Anne
rican that such vessels ever visited. But II has
been the nvariable practice of the British Navy and
as the undersigned believes, Of all naves in the world
to ascertain by visit the real nationality of erchan,
vessels met with the high seas, fthere be good
son TO apprehend their Illegal character.
In certain ATTITUDES, and for particular object, the
vessels referred to visited, not as Americana but
either British vessels engaged in an unlawful traffic,
and carrying the flag Of the United States for crmi-
nal purpose, belonging to States which have by
treaty conceded to Great Britain the right of Search
and which rghtt attempted to defeat by fraudulent
ly bearing the protecting flag of the Union or, final
ly, they visited pratcal outlaws, possessing no
claim 10 any flag nationality whatever.
Now, il can scarcely be maintained by Mr.. Steven
son that Great Britain should be bound to permit her
own Subjects with British vessels and British capital
to carry before the eyes of British officers this de-
testabe traffic in human beings, which the law has de-
cared to be piracy, merely because they had the auda
city to commit an additional offence by fraudulently
usurping the American flag.
Neither could Mr.. Stevenson, with more reason Of