The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-11-25
SEIZURES OF AMERICAN VESSELS

4 SEIZURES OF AMERICAN VESSELS.
\ Diplomatic CorrespoAdeace.--En English
papers received by the Great Western con-
tain some official letters between our late
Minister at london, Mr.. Stevenson, and
Lord Palmerston, relative TO the seizure Of
American vessels by British cruisers on
the coast Of Africa.
{ The first note IN the published cores
penIence is from Mr.. Stephenson, and
bears date November 10, 1870. 1t thus
appears that the correspondence took place
about year ago, although it is now for the
first time made public.
The American Minister communicates
to Lord Palmerston the facts pertaining 10
the seizure Of the American brig Douglas,
Of pazbury, Massachusetts,, by the brig
Iermagani, commanded by Lieut.. Segram,
IN the month Of October, 1889. The
Douglas was bound TO the river Bras, with
cargo Of Merchandise and several pas
sengers. The brig was boarded by Lieut..
Segram off the African coast, her papers
oYerhauied, the American flag taken down,
tho matches broken open, and British
master and crew put on beard. For five
or SIX days the Douglas was thus held 10
charge Of the cruiser, when, on the 29th
Of October, TO the westward Of Popoe, on
The African coast, the Captain was ordered
to board the TermagaRt, his papers were
delivered TO hin BY Lieut.. Segram, and
nc was allowed 10 pursue his voyage.
For this outrage, Mr.. Stevenson De.
mands the reparatioa due to the rights Of
! the United States and the honor Of their
| lag. lie reminds Lord pamerston that
the American Government has always de.
clined to become party to any cJnyen.
f ton with other nations, Ly which the Off
GERS Of ships Of war Of either country
should have the right TO board, search, or
capture, or carry into foreign ports for add
judication, the vessels OF each other en-.
/ gagged in the slave trade. The United
States Government las eYnced It's disap.
probation of the slave trade, and manfcs-
! ted lls sincere desire for tie suppression of
'that traffic by iorbidding the introduction
| q! slaves into It's territories, and by prohi-
biting ITS own cltlzens from participating
in the trade. The United States have kept
uloof from the treaties ia force between
Great Britain and other Powers for the alb
/ clifton of the slave trade because those
treaties are Of nature which cagnot, aud
ought not to be applied to the United States,
under any restrictions or notifications
whatever; " and tie more especially as
i they have neither colonies nor the means
/ OF carrying out those measures Of mari.
i time policy and surveillance which form
the basis Of those treaties and are SO in.
dlspensably necessary to their execution"
! Mr.. Stevenson concludes thus:
THE undersigned has therefore been nsi.uc.
ted. in presenting this case TO Lord Pamerst5n'5
notice, again in .Aa most earnest manner to as.
sure his !ordship that these continued violations
Of the flag of the United Stutes, and unprorok.
% wrongs inflicted By British cruisers upon the
! rights and property OF It's citizens under whate
(, yer color or p7etext, cannot longer be permitted
by the Government of tho United States and
that he has accordingly been instructed to OK.
press to his iordship the confident expectation of
the President of the United States that Her Ma
esys Government will not only at once recoe
Mise the propriety and justice Of making prompt
retributioo for the uuwarrantahle conduct Of
Lieut.. Segrsm IN the present case, but that il will
take suitable aud efficient means to prevent the
future occurrence of all such abuses involving,
as they often do, not only great private wrong
and consequent injury to property and lie but
calculated to interrupt that harmony which It is
for the advantage, and it is no DOUBT the desire,
of both Governments to preserra."
The reply of Lord Palmorston is con
ciliatory. He assures Mr. Stevenson that
Her Majesly's Government will at all times
be deslrous Of REFRESHING and preventing
any violations of the flag of the United /
States by officers eff the British Nav
His Lordship adds:
with this view, indeed, Her Nalcsty's Gcr |
eminent, previously 10 the recep: of Mr. Steven.
sons nots Of the 18th Instant had, on receiving
from Lisutenant Segram an account Of the trans.
action referred TO, called upon that officer 10 ex.
plain more fully and particularly the grounds 40
on which he had considered himself justified il
detaining ship under American colors, and with
papers showing her TO be American property
Her Najesty's Government haze now diroc-
ted prompt and searching mquisr % be made
into the facts of the case, as stated in Mr. Ste
yenson's note and the undersigned will not fail
to communicate farther with Mr. Stevenson up.
on the subject so soon as Her Majestys Govern
uent shall have learned the result Of tho inqui
RES instituted" Il
The rest of the correspondence involves
no now matter of particular interest. What
was done by the British Government in
relation to Lieut.. Segram and the outrage
By him we do not learn. 1t is
something to find all pretension Of right in
the case disclaimed BY the British if their
practice is made to correspond, it will be
more sadsfactory.-B Bali. American.
THE TERTlUM QUIDS.