Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-15

slNely one Of bclligerCnt character In proof o
this, the undersigned need only refer Lord Aberdeen
10 the authority Of Great Britain herself on the
subject:
81 can find authority" (s,yS the late Sir
William Scoi shat gives the rigGl Of interruption
TO the navigation Of States upon the high seas ex.
eept that which the right OF gives TO belli.
gerents against ncutrals. No nation can exercise a
right OF visitation end search upon the common nd
Incorporated parts OF the ocean, except upon the
belgcrent claim" And again: "No nation has
the n ut To force their way for the liberation Of Az
rlca, hy trampng upon the independence Of other
States on the pretence ofan eminent good by means
that are unlawful, or to press forward to u great
principle by breaking through other great principles
which stand in their way"
Now, OF all the principles ever attempted TO be
established in the past history of the dominion Of
the sea, few probably could be selected Of more Of
tensve and objectionable character than those as
serted m Lord Palmcrs:onS note. Indeed, II is diff
hcult to believe that his lordship or Her Maiesty's
Government could seriously expect that any indie
pendent nation could for a moment ocquesce in
doctl ines Involving the rIiravlshnt suppoSton Of
yedns 10 another the tight OF determining upon the
terms aud conditions upon which Il should navigate
the ocean IN time OF general and profound peace.
Such a power once submitted TO, and there would
be ~" species Of national degradation to which IL
might not lead. That such would 10 the conse-
qencc, the feels himself Liberty 70 sup
pose. But II Il were admitted, for the purpose Of
iilln''ratirn, that such right was even doubtful,
still the United States, we. as other commercial!
nations, would be bound 10 demand its disconIinu-
ancc, u attempted 10 be exercised IN the manner
dcated IN Lord Palmerston's note. Under what
restrictions and lni,atons could such n rover be
onlorccd2 What competent tribunal would there
he TO determine upon the degree of suspicion which
! IS 10 JUSTIFY TIE boarding and detention, and the
night OF determining the national character OF all YES
Se!s under the trg Of the United Stutesl Would II
mol make every subordinate commander Of n
Bhush cruiser the exclusive Judge, and not
only LEAD 10 angry and exciting ITritatons up
on the ocean, but to painful discussions between
/ The two Governments What security would
American merchantmen have against decisions
made without evidence, where al the rules
! OF evidence might be violated with impunity
/ Would i not, from IT'S very nlture he pow or,
the exercise OF which, in whatever form II nigh, he
guarded, could admit of no lust Limitation The
answer To these questions will hest show how in
consistent with the peace of Great Britain and the
rights OF other S;aes the exercise Of any such pow
er would be attended. But is unnecessary to press
this view Of The subject further upon Lord Aber-
deems attention.. The objection is one of principle
ana not o, eNpeGIency, and IS therefore, who'll in
capable Of beng overcome by the manner OF discre.
lon with which the power might be exercised, or
the limitations thrown around Il. However soften
eL IN terms or restricted, IL must sul be regarded
as imposing restrictions upon the lawful commerce
oil neuira, nations, and an innovation upon the Uher-
~ OF the seas power which no independent State
could ever submit 10 without sUrrenderIn. It's indie
pendence and sovereignty, and dsrC gardny the his
Obligations Of duty which II owes 10 itself and the
other nations Of the world. Nor is there any force
IN the view alleged by Lord PaImcrstun, and upon
which great reliance Is placed, that the flag Of the
Union Is grossly abused BY other nations as a cover
to their slave traffic. To what extent the 40 9th.
United States may have been used Tor this purpose
| the undersigned and his Government have no means
OF Judging. That II mas been grossly abused how
ever, there IS too much reason TO believe and de-
piorei but, whatever this abuse may have BEEN Il
can have no Just influence either 10 strengthen or
weaken the Tgnt asserted by Her Maesiy's Go
yernnent
In relation TO the conduct Of n'her nations, who
seek IN cover their inf amous rac by the fraudu ent
use OF the American hig, the Government of the
CnIIcI States cannot bc responsible. Il has "a ken
the steps which it deemed best to protect its 20 as
well ns lis character from abuse and will follow II
by other measures as may appear 10 be called
The Government OF the Uri,ed States ure no,
Insensihe 70 The force Of the considerations which
belong 10 the subject Of the African slave trade nor
nave iney failed 10 m'uulesI A,ir sens!1I.i;y 20
whatever concerns IT'S abolition. Nothing IS further
from the wish Of the American Government Than a
desire &c increase the difficulties or throw obstacles
IN the way OF The execution Of the existing treati,
Tor rs tinaI extinction. This the undersigned ms
upon more than one occasion had the honor Of as
surfing Her Majestys Government, and takes leave
now 10 repeat 10 Lord Aberdeen. ArEIou-, how
ever, the Government OF the United States are 10
! promote the views of Her Najes'y's Guyernmen,
% this subject, . consent 10 do so by sacr-
hcnG the rights Of It's Citizens the honor OF Us
/ Flag.
| Her Majcs,y's Government canno, be inse7sibre
OF the Importance and value Of guarding the rights
oil nCuta.fy from every species OF violation. This
duty belongs especially TO great and powerful. ma
tons, such IS Great Britain and the United States
not only as the best means Of preserving peace but
giving security TO we'ker communities, under the
shadow Of impartial justice. Among neutral na.
tons, there Is proo1h.y not one more deeDIy intg-
res ed tian tie United States. Their attitude IS
that OF neutral and peaceful power The consist
ent and pCrseveTng policy Of their Government hes
been displayed defence of the rights OF neutrality
and tie liberty Of the seas. DESTROYS 10 mani.
fest cordial good will TO all nations and maintain
with each not only relations Of the most perfect
SmIy, but those Of a commercial character upon the
basis OF fair, equal, and just reciprocity, the U.
States will continue 10 give u their system Of policy
a sincere and STE dy adherence. Upon this basis
the relations between Great Britain and the United
States, as vel! as al. other nations, can alone be
expected 20 continue. The undersigned therefore
IS happy 10 see IN these relations, as we'll as the
/ justice OF Her Majes:y's Government and the firm
ness OF hrs own, the best reason 10 expect not only
an Abandonment Of the power which - now asserted
with the whole sysIem Of yeTllous Interruption and
surveillance 70 which the vessels and commerce Of
the United States have been subjected but the fl
ture relations a the two countries placed upon the
solid foundation Of mutual interest and comIty pud
d more enlarged and beral policy.
These arc the views which the undersigned has
4
consideration, upon The doctrines contained m Lord
PaImerstOn's note, Of character so new aud alarm
ing 10 national sovereignty and ssrsIJiiy and the
friendly relations Of the two counties He hos
presented them with the irarkncss and carnestress
winch their importance mCrl'Cd, and with the hfrh
respect due % her NaJ.s'y's Government lie has,
therefore, no other duty 10 perform than TO transmit
copies Of Lord Pa'mcrstOH's communications TO his
Government, and 10 protest, ~ the most solemn
manner, 6gains, their doctrines as alike inconsistent
with the principles Of public Inv, with the rIghts
and sovereignty OF the United States, and with that
sense Of justice and right which belong to the Brl-
tsh nation.
The undersigned prays Lord Aberdeen 10 accept
Of ms high consideration ard respect.
A. STEVENSON.
To ,Se Righ, Hon. the Earl Of ABERDEEN.
LORD ABERDEEN TO MIR. STEVENSON.
F0REIGE OFrrcE, October IS. 1871.
The undersigned, her MdJsSiy's Principal Secrs-
lary Of State Tor Foreign Affairs hes had the honor
to receive The note NJ Mr.. syenson, Envoy Ey,ra
ordinary and Min ser PIcnIpotentary Of the Uni
ted Sra'cs of Ameucl, dated the IO,h Of Seprem.
Der, in continuation Of a correspondence With the
predecessor OF The undersigned IN ths Office and re-
Iatng no the visitation Of vessels bearing the Amr-
rcnu flg and suspected Of being engaged IN the
African slave trade.
II the undersigned feels IL necessary TO offer some
remarks upon the note Of Mr.. Stevenson be Is de.
sIrous Of doing so m the manner best calculated 20
GgsuJG candid and impartial consideration. for he
would deeply regret that any harshness or aHperIty
Of expression should aggBvnlo the difficulties Of a
subject which IS, 40 oil times, but TOO liable To pr,.
duce excitement and irritation. The UNDETERMINED 10
aware ui the Susceptibility Of national feeling n all
ff he