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

shin should have stated what the particular chafac
and degree Of the suspicion TO be which was alor
to Justify the interference of Her MaJestys cruiser
That such right that claimed, It u existed, coul
not safely be couided 10 those OF Her Majesty crul
ers who have heretofore been in the habit oi cxercisn
it. the undersigned feels himself warranted III suppo
inp This he presumes, will be satisfactorily show
by the cases which he has heretofore presented to he
Majesty's Government, and for which no reParato
hus vet been made. These cases will show the cir
MS and injuries 10 which the trade and CON
MERGE of the u S., throughout the whole Of the Afr
can seas have already been subjected by the ve1atiou
seizures and detentons of Her Maestys cruisers an
in most of them without Justification or excuse.
| That the right asserted by Her Majesty's Govern
menl may be regarded as important may not be doubt
ed Indeed the undersigned would not act frankly to
wards Lord Aberdeen if he were to pretend that tn
Of refusing the exercise of the right
the American Government mi ht not throw very grea
difficulties in the way Of executing the existing trea
ties for the abolition of the slave trade but, as he la
taken occasion heretofore to observe the admission
can neither strengthen the claim Of right nor Diminish
the force Of the objection 10 it the part OF the u
There remains only other part of Lord Aberdeen
note which the undersigned deems necessary at TN
time 10 notice II is that in which his lordship expreI
es the opinion that any right of search which =, -
have been conceded by two such Governmns;Jax ID
France and Great Britain can scarcely be ndenca rs
as incompatible with the honor and indrdppaaan,a
any nation upon earth. Now, if Lord nl mich wac
mark int 9ded to apply to the r. that Of the II
made by Her Majestys Govern%c"re and Guarded ~,
.. ioi ~ " edrSsigned has observation
ueay P as, e ;an of his lordship nten nd
ed 10 apply 10 the rig now asserted Dy Urea.
and proposed by be- then the nm.
dss;Inad mt be allowed to express his decided dis
90, rTsi the exercise of mutual rights, properly Sc
go aight not be incompatible with national honor
Ia .overegnty he readily admits, nasmuch rs the con-
tho Innf nj n Ii
~ and security This he presumes to be the case be-
tween France and Great Britain; but such would not
be the case between Great Britain and the United States
The undersigned must therefore, after the most care
fu consideration Of the arguments advanced 10 LORD
Aberdeen's note, repeat the opinion which he has
pressed that ifa power such as that which
is now asserted by Her Maestys Government shall be
enforced not only without CONSENT but in the lace oil
direct refusal to concede 1t, 1t can be regarded IN no
other light by the Government of the U. ). than a
violation Of national rights and sovereignty, and the IN
contestabe principles Of international law. That its
exercise may lead consequences of painful caurac
ter there is much reason 10 apprehend In cases oil
conflicting rights between nations the precise line which
neither can pass but TO which each may advance, not
easily found or marked; and yet it exists whatever
may be the difficulty of discerning it. In ordinary
cases of there is little Danger each nation
nav and often does, yield something to the other
Such however it is TO be feared, is not the present
case The peculiar nature of the power asserted, and
the consequences which may be nPprehended from its
exercise make it one of an important and momentous
character Involving, as it does, questions of high
and dangerous sovereignty. it may Justly be regarded
as deeply endangering the good understanding OF the
two countries Ought her Nlajestys Government
then, under such circumstances, TO insist upon It's
enforcement; That it will not, the undersigned can
not permit himself to doubt. lie WILL therefore, con-
tinue 10 cherish the hope that upon careful re-
view of the whole subject, Her Majesty's Govern
ment will see the Importance of adopting other mea
sues for the suppression of the slave trade than those
now proposed, and which will be far better calculated,
not only 10 accomplish the object desired but to pre-
serve the friendly relations Of the two countries upon
principles consistent with the interest and honor OF
both.
The undersigned avails himself of the occasion TO re.
new 10 Lord Aberdeen assurance of his distinguished
consideration and respect. A. STEVENSON.
To the Earl Of ABERDEEN.