The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-11-25
From the New York Herald.
Rel AT4ONS BETWEEN ENGLAND
E.1 ThE UNITED STATES-ThE
rr~,lpT OF SEARCH


's,a. az ho subject Of the right Of search, ;hs
l.iva. vi Al question that has ever been discuss
aed bowen the tive countries. From the char.
scisf Of the information, we are led 10 believe
that this is destined to become the most iroa-
biesome point Of difference, and possibly an
open Rupture hereafter.
il will be recollecied that on the arrival of
tae 'ast steamer, we published the cores
pundence between our late minister, Mr. Ste
venson and Lord PaImerston, on the subject
of the alleged seizure Of American vessels on
bhe coast Of Africa. That was merely the COM
uencement. We learn through our private
correspondence from London, that the discus"
sion was continued up 10 the moment OF Mr..
Slevenson's departure, and that towards tho
close, a great deal of spirit and animation were
displayed On both sides. The correspondence
vas conducted with good temper and modeTa~
sioa hut the tone was firm and decided
throughout. IL covered space Of elk or sew
en- letters, some Of which were full and eab-
crate, going at length into several branches OF
the question. The whole was brought over by
Mr.. Stevenson, and is now in the State De-
partment at Washington.
The point Of departure in the discussion was
the seizure of American vessels on the African
const, but il opened up the whole controversy
growing out of the asserted right Of search Of
Great Britain.
There is no point Of difference between the
two countries 80 fruitful Of difficulty. One of
the main causes Of the war OF 1917 was the
assertion of this right, and IFS vexalIous cxet~
else by great Britain. The protracted contest
on the continent OF Europe, and the constant
employment Of the Immense navy of Great
Britain for so long period, created such
demand for seamen, that under the pretext of
sezing her own subjects, she impressed the
citizens OF every other country upon whom
she could lay her hands. The severe disci-
plIne and scanty pay of the British navy had
driven many Of her best seamen to seek ems
ploYment in the merchant service of the Unit
ed States. Even the right to demand these
desertsrs, under any circumstances, is not re-
cognzed by the laws Of nations, but there is
usually disposition among friendly govern
meuts to assist each other in securing them,
when ii can be done without any deep injury.
American cltizens, and even natives, with
ample proof of their citizenship and nativity,
we're lorclby impressed from our merchant
vessels, and compelled 10 do duty under the
English flag Our commerce wos interrupted
aud voyages frequently were broken up by
,aese high handed proceedings. All remon-
strances on the part Of our Government was
d,srecsrded, and the practice was persisted IN,
without hesitation OF compensation. Our hog
was insulied, and the lights ufindlVlduaIs vio-
lated without any color of right, and on The
naked demand for their service.
Al the period when these outruges had be-
come the mos, frequent and oppressive, party
spirl, had taken form in this country the most
dsD-er and the most discredtabe. Every
wise patriot saw that war was the only preser-
yat!ve of national honor, but Inc country was
split into two factions, whose contests were
Conducted with such violence that the credit Of
the nation was a secondary consideration.
At iensth, however, The attack on the frigate
ChesaDaake, in our waters, aud the forclble
removal of three American clliZeks, on the
pre,rxt that they were deserters, aroused The
whole country and after four years of feeble
attempts at preparation, the war Of 1872 fol-
lowed.
In the negotiations at Ghent, which termi-
BAied IN Treaty Of peace, the right OF search
formed a prominent topic Of discussion. The
debate was long and acrimonious. The Br-
,ish commissioners, under The peremp,ory or
% lers Of the Government, refused TO yield the
right, II was srenuousy urged by Mr.. Ads
ANS and his associates, bit without effect.
The American commissioners finally waived
the questions. and The treaty of peace was
concluded. The war on the continent was ter
minated the following year, and peace prevails
cd over the whole civilized world. ThatPeace
has hardly been interrupted up to the present
tine. and Great Britain has found no active
use for any very large portion of her tremen"
dous navy. She nae always found abundance
Of men for her peace establishment, and con-
sequentlv there has been no occasion for I'M
pressing her seamen employed in the service
Of other countries. But while there. has
been no necessity for for the exercise oil the
p Iigh, Of search; the British Government has
never yisided il, and The seizure of our Ves-
sells on the coast Of Africa has revived the old
controversy afresh.
2 We are now to begin new chapter in our
= AegOciAicns with that imperious and arrogant
power. kll other questions now 10 discussion
between the two governments sink into Insig-
wd6cance in comparison with the right OF
search. II Involves the honor and rights OF
2 the nationI iDvoives The great principles of
Independence on the ocean. II is a question
Of sovereignty. Great Britain, in her lust for
2 6Diversal empire, has long grasped for the SUI
u nm