The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-13
efficacy to their own laws and regulations on the


ought not to be applied to the United States, under
any restrictions or notifications whatever and the
more especially they have neither colonies, the
means OF carrying out those measures of maritime
policy and surveillance which form the basis of these
treaties and ndispensably necessary to their
ecuton.
In Withholding It's assent therefore, from the exist
ing system and sustaining from all conventional
rangements yielding the right of search to the armed
vessels and cruisers Of each other Her Maestys Go
vernment must be sensible that the United States have
been influenced alone by considerations arising out of
the character Of their institutions and policy and that
having taken the measures which i deemed to be eI
pedienl and proper in relation to this subject the Go
vernmen of the United States only leave 10 other
nations 10 pursue freely the which their judg
ment or policy may dictate, and in relation to which
the United States certainly have no disposition to
interfere.
The undersigned has therefore been instructed, in
presenting this case to Lord Palmerstons notice,
gain IN the most earnest manner TO assure his Lord
ship that these continued violations of the flag of the
United States, and unprovoked wrongs inflicted by
British cruisers upon the rights and property of its
citizens, under whatever color pretext, cannot
longer be permitted by the Government of the United
States and that he has accordingly been instructed to
express to his Lordship the confident expectation Of
the President of the United States that Her Msess
Government will not only at once recognize the pro-
priey and justice of making prompt retribution for
| the unwarrantable conduct of Lieut. Segram in the
present case but that will take suitable and efficient
means to prevent the future occurrence Of all such
abases, involving they often do not only great pri-
vate wrong and consequent injury TO property and life
but calculated to interrupt that harmony which il is
for the advantage and is no doubt the DESIRE Of
both Governments TO preserve.
The undersigned prays Lord Palmerston to accept
assurances Of his distinguished consdsra,ion;
The Right Hon. Viscount Palmerston, g. @. B.
[Copes of the protest and charter-party accompani-
ed the despatch. ....
" . .
Viscount PaImerston to Mr., Stevenson
1, FoRElaN OFFIcE, Nov. 10, 1910.
The undersigned Her Majesty's Principal Secre-
taiy of State for Foreign Affairs has received the note
| which Mr. Stevenson, Envoy Extraordinary and Mi
mister Penipotentiary from the United States, adj
dressed to him on the 18th inst. complaining, the
part Of the United States Government of the con-
duct Of Lieutenant Segram, of Her Majestys brgan-
tine Termigant in having detained the United States
The undersigned has to assure Mr. Stevenson that
Her Majestys Government will at all times be de-
srous of REFRESHING and preventing any violation of
the flag of the United States by officers of the Bri
| fish navy.
previously to the receipt Of Mr.. Stevensons note of
the 18th inst, had, receiving from Lieut. Segram
OF the transaction referred to- called upon
that officer to explain fully and particularly the
ground upon which he had considered himself justi
| ed in OBTAINING ship under American colors, and
with papers showing her to be American property.
Her Majesty's Government have now directed
prompt and searching inquiry to be made into the
facts of the case stated in Mr. Stevensons note,
and the undersigned will not fail to communicate far
Their with Mr. Stevenson upon the subject SO soon az
Her Majestys Government shall have learned the
result of the inquiries instituted. -
A. Stevenson, Esq, Sc.
h.. Mr.. Stevenson to Viscount Palmsra.on.
80, UPPER GRosNEnoR STREET, Nov. 20, 1s40
$751;. (Received November %.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Penipotentary from the United States, has the
honor TO acknowledge the receipt of the note which
Of State for Foreign Affairs addressed 10 him yesteI
day in reply to that of the undersigned of the 18th
instant, complaining of the conduct Of Lieutenant
Segram, of her Majestys brigantine Termagant, in
of Africa and will take the earliest opportunity of
transmitting it for the information of his Government.
The undersigned derives, in the meantime, much
satisfaction from the prompt and friendly assurance
Of Lord PamerstoD that previously to the receipt of
the note of the undersigned Lieutenant Segram had
been called upon to explain fully and particularly the
grounds upon which he had considered himself justi
fed in OBTAINING ship under American colors, and
with American property, and that Her Majesty's Go
vernment had further directed prompt and searching
inquiry to be made into the facts Of the case.
A. STEVENSON.
The Right Hon. Viseount Palmerston, q. c. b. &C.
discount Palmerston to Mr.. For.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Dec A, 1910.
Sir: With reference to my despatch of the 18th of
which had sailed from Rio de Janeiro under the flag
of the United States laden with save-trade equipments
for the coast of Africa herewith transmit to you for
communication to the Government of the U. States
| the accompanying extract from despatch from Her
Majesty Commissioners at Rio de Janeiro, stating
that the Pilgrim had returned to that port in ballast
49, PALMERsToN.
H. s. Fox, Esq, &c.
Gan extract from the Rio Commissioners despatch
of August IL, 1910, was enclosed.)
| discount Palmerston to Mr.. Stevenson.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Dec. 8, 1910.
Sir-I have to acknowledge the receipt of your let
ter of the 10th Instant together with its enclosures,
on the subject of the African slave trade and beg to
express my thanks you for that communication, and
| for the information which it contains. ...l..
/ With reference to the suggestion contained in the
papers enclosed by YOU that blockade should be in
sued at the Gailinas and New Cess as an effect
ua means of putting down the slave trade have much
pleasure in acquainting you that blockade has for
some time past been regularly maintained at the CALI
mas by her Majesty ship Wanderer, and by other
| sells under the direction of its commander, and at
New Cess by her Majestys ship Forester.
With reference TO the supposition of the writer of
the paper which you have sent me- the British crus
ers abstain from taking vessels before they have slaves
on board in order that, by capturing such vessels af
ter they have taken their slaves on board the captors
may get more prize money, have to explain to you
that it is only since the passing of the act Of 1889 that
there has existed any legal authority to condemn Por
tuguese ships detained for being equipped for the slave
trade and not having slaves actually on board; and
therefore, until that into operation on the
coast of Africa her Majesys vessels could detain
Portuguese slave vessels until they had actually taken
their slaves board but with regard to Spanish
sells, the treaty Of 1885 between Great Britain and
Spain, gave to the mixed British and Spanish com
mission a power to condemn slave vessels under the
Spanish flag, il found equipped for the slave trade
even though they might have no slaves actually on
board and during the period which has elapsed since
that treaty has been in operation her Maesys cruis
ers have taken and in for adjudication IS Spanish
savers without slaves board, and since the year
1885 her Maesys cruisers the coast of Africa have