Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-11-16
The Right Of Search!


We lay before readers sucT portions Of the
Correspondence, between our Minister in London
ard the British Foreign Secretary, relative TO the
search Of American vessels in the African seas, as
had been submitted TO Parliament, and published
in the London papers But the reader will remark,
that these papers confined to 1910, and do not
embrace any part of the very interesting correspond
ence, which has taken place during the present year
and the most important portion of it the very
eve of Mr. Stevcnson's departure from England
We published short time since letter from Lon.
don written on the 4th Of October stating that Lord
Palmeston had claimed the right to teain, board and
search the papers Of American vessels, navigating the
African seas and that Mr. Stevenson had repealed TIE
insulting demand with a irmEess worthy of his coun.
rys honor. Since that period, the espondence has
been kept up with great spir-and stated in our
last PAPER Mr. 5. had fired the last shot. We make
these preliminary explanations in order 10 remind our
readers that the following IS only part Of the
pondence, which has taken place the subject
Certainly much remains untold. II may be as well to
add, that Mr. Walsh in his Partisan correspondence,
published in The National Intelligence, does JUS
tice 10 Mr.. Stevenson, in The following extract
saw with inch satisfaction your sheet article de-
fendn. and commencing Mr Stevenson late Minister Prn
poientiary London. The aspect political horizon
which gave squadron We we're all
pressed here with The dangers 81 the unetuso and l
British ho-lnIe- would have Immediately followed, and
of notice incurred blame from The srirs
diplomatic carer
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
The following correspondence between MIR. Steven.
son. our late Minister 10 England and the British Sc
cretary ofForelgn Affairs, is of such interest that
publish il entire:
THE RIGHT Or sEARCH-sUPPREssIoS or THE SLAVE
TRADE.
The UNITED STATEs.-The following are extracts
from correspondence with Foreign Powers parties
10 conventions giving right OF searching vessels sus-
peced of slave trade, recently presented 10 10th Hous
Of Parliament ty command Of her Majesty.
.Hr. S,ereason TO listSvat Paimcrston.
% Upper Grosvenor street, Nov. l3, $40.
(Received Nov. ll)
The undersigned Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenpocnliary from the United States, has been in
srucied by his Government 10 transmit to Lord Pal.
nerson, her Maiestys Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs the accompanying papers, containing
The evidence Of another unwarrantabc search deten.
ton, and i'll usage of an American vessel and her
cruisers, employed in the suppression Of the slave
trade, and which, in the opinion Of the President
forms proper subject for complaint und satisfactory
retrihu:on.
The following are the prominent facts Of the case
The American brig Douglas, of Duxbury, in Massa.
chuselts two hundred tons burhen, and commanded
by Alvin Baker, master, and William Arnold, mate
sailed from the Havana on the 9th of August 1920
laden with cargo of merchandise and having sundry
passengers on board for the port Of the river Bras
lHal, on tue oIst oi oCtoper, lnS Jrig, whilst
suing her voyage, was boarded by Lieutenant Segrum
from her Majesty brigan,ine cruiser, the Terma CANT
with Of her crew, who proceeded forthwith TO
overhaul the ships papers and passengers passports
ordered the matches, which were closed to lie broken
open Ike American flag which was then flying, 10 be
hauled down, and the vessel seized as SLAYER.
That the captains papers and log book was then de-
manded, and taken on board the Termagant, and the
Douglas committed to the charge of master and
from the British cruiser, who Immediately ordered
the sails 10 be set, and the vessel proceeded 10 sea-
At six clock, 2. NJ, ten men were sent on board
with arms and provisions, and the passengers taken TO
the Iremasant and both vessels then made sail, and
stood to the westward
That, on The Odd of October, about daylight, the
Termagant came alongside the Douglas, with The pur
ser and one OF her passengers for stores and provisions
and then returned 10 the cruiser.
That, from the 2ls to The Goth of October, the Anne
rcan brig continued in charge of the cruiser, when
they parted, and lost sight of each other, the brig
however, sill continuing 10 possession Of the Office