Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-12-16
NO. 80.


prosecuting lawful commerce in the African
seas under the flag of their country, are not res
ponsblc for the abuse unlawful use of that flag
by others nor can they ON account of any such
alledged abuses, be interrupted, moested or de-
tanned, while on the ocean; and if thus moestcd
and Detained, while pursuing honest voyages, in
the usual way, and violating no law themselves
they unquestonabIy entitled to indemnify
Fhis Government has manifested its repugnance
TO the slave trade, in manner which cannot be
misunderstood.
BY It's fundamental law, is pre- scribed limits in
point of time to its continuance and against its
own citizens who ought far to forget the rights
of humanity as to engage IN that wicked traffic,
it has long since, by It's municipal laws, denounc-
ed the most condign punishment Many of the
States composing this Union, had made appeals to
the civilized world for its suppression, long before
the moral sense of other nations had become
shocked by the iniquites of the traffic. Whether
this government should now enter into treaties
containing mutual stipulatlons upon this subject,
IS question for its mature deliberatlon Certain
il is, that if the right to dean American ships on
the high seas can be justified on the plea Of ne
cessity for such detention, arising out of the
istence of treaties between other nations, the
same plea may be extended and enlarged by the
new stlpulatons OF new treaties, to which the
United States may not be a party. The Govern
ment wiki not cease to urge upon that Of Great
Britain. full and ample remuneration for all loss
es, whether arising from detention otherwise,
to which American citizens have heretofore been,
or may hereafter be subjected, by the exercise of
rights which this Government cannot recognize
as legitimate and proper.
Nor will indulge doubt but that the sense Of
justice of Great Britain will constrain her 10 make
retrbution for any wrong or loss which any Ameri-
can citizen, engaged in the prosecution of lawful
commerce, may have experienced at the hand of her
cruizers other public authorities This gov
eminent, at the time, will relax effort 20
prevent its citizens, lfthere be any disposed, from
prosecuting traffic revolving 10 the feelings of
humanity. 1t seeks to do no more than protect the
fair and honest trader, from moesaton and injury;
but while the enterprsing mariner. engaged in the
pursuit of an honorable trade, is entitled TO its pro-
lection, it will visit with condgn punishment, others
OF an opposite character.
| invite your attention 10 existing laws for the
suppression of the African slave trade and recon-
mend all such alterations as may give to them
greater force aud efficacy. That the American
flag is badly abused by the abandoned and profit
gate Of other nations, is but too probable. Con-
gress has, not long since, had this subject under
its consideration, and its importance we'll justiies
renewed and anxious attention.
| also communicate herewith the copy of COR
| respondence between Mr.. Stevenson and Lord
Palmerston, upon the subject so interesting to
several Of the Southern States, OF the rice du-
ties, which resulted honorably TO the justice of
Great Britain, and advantageously to the United
States.
At the opening of the last annual session, the
President informed Congress of the progress
which had then been made in negotiating con-
vention between this Government and that of
England with view to the final settlement of the
question of the boundary between the territorial
limits of the two countries. | regret to say, that
little further advancement Of the object has been
accomplished since last year; but this is owing
TO circumstances no way indicative of any
abatement of the desire of both parties to hasten
he negotiation to its conclusion, and to settle
the question IN dispute, early possible. In
the course Of the session, it is my hope to be
able to announce some further degree of progress,
towards tle accomplishment of this highly desr-
able end
The commission appointed by this government
for the exploration and survey Of the line of boun-
Diary separating the States of Maine and New
Hampshire from the contermlnous British Prov
nces, is, it is believed, about to close It's field la
bors, and is expected to report the results of
its examinations 10 the Department of State
The report, when received, will be laid before
Congress.
The failure on the part of Spain to pay with
punctualty, the interest due under the Conven-
tion of 1884, for the settlement of claims between
the two countries, has made it the duty of the
Executive TO call the special attention of that
Government to the subject. A disposition has
been manifested by it, which is believed to be
entirely sincere, 10 fulfil its obligations in this
respect, so its internal condition and the
state of lis finances will permit. An arrange
ment is III progress, from the result of which, it
is trusted that those of our citizens who have
claims under the Convention, WILL at distant
day, receive the stipulated payments.
A Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with
Belgian concluded and signed at Washing
ton on the 29th March 1340, and was duly sane
toned by the Senate of the United States The
treaty was ratified by His Belgian Majesty, but
did not receive the appreciation of the Belgian
Chambers within the time limited by its terms,
and has, therefore, become void.
This occurrence assumes the graver aspect
from the consideration that, III 1888, Treaty ne
gociated between the two Governments, and rati-
fed on the part of the United States, failed to be
ratified on the part OF Belgium The Representa-
tive Of that Government, at Washington, informs
the Department of State that he has been instruct
ed to give explanations Of the causes which occa-
stoned delay in the approval of the late Treaty by
the Legislature, and express their regret of the
| King at the occurrence.
The Joint commission under the convention
with Texas to ascertain the true boundary be-
| tween the two countries, has concluded its labors
but the final report of the commissioner of the
! United States has not been received. 1t is I'M
derstood, however, that the meridian line, as
! traced by the commission, lies somewhat further
east than the position hitherto generally assigned
| to it, and consequently, includes IN Texas some
part OF the territory which had been considered
as belonging to the States OF Louisiana and Ar
kansas.
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