Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-16

BY its fundamental law u prescribed Inn.
its 10 point of time to its continuance; and
agains, its own citizens who might SO far
forget the rights of humanity as to engage
in that wicked traffic it has long since, by
its municipal laws, denounced the mos,
condign punishment. Many OF the States
composing this Union had made appeals
to the civilized world for its suppression
long before the moral sense of other ma.
tons had become shocked by the iniqui-
ties of the traffic. Whether this Govern.
ment should now enter into treaties con
tanning mutual s,ipulaiions upon this sub.
leci, is a question for lis mature delibera-
ton. Certain it is, that if the right to de-
tain American ships on the high seas a
be justified on the plea oil a necessity for
s1ch detention, arising out OF the exist
ence Of treaties between other nations,
the same plea may be extended and en-
larged by the new stipulatlons OF new
to which the United States may
not be a party. This Government will
not cease to urge upon that of Great Brit.
ain full and ample remuneration Tor all
losses, whether arising from detention or
otherwise, TO which American citizens
have heretofore been or may hereal-
ter be subjected, by the exercise OF rights
which this Government cannot recognise
as legitimate and proper. Nor will | in
dulge a doubt but that the sense of justice
Of Great Britain will constrain her to make
retribution for any wrong or loss which
any American citizen engaged in the pros
ecution Of lawful commerce may have ex-
perienced at the hand of her cruisers or
other public authorities. This Govern
ment, at the same time, will relax no et-
fort TO prevent its citizens, if there be any
so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic SO
revolving to the feelings Of humanity. 1t
seeks to do no more than to protect the
fair and honest trader from molestation
and injury but while the enterprlsing ma
riner, engaged in the pursuit of an honor
able trade, is entitled TO its protection, it
will visit with condign punishment others
of an opposite character.
| invite your attention to existing laws
for the suppression Of the African slave
trade, and recommend all such alterations
as may give to them greater force end
efficacy. That the American nag is
grossly abused by the abandoned and
prohigate of other nations is but too prob
able. Congress has, not long since, had
this subject under its consideration, and lis
importance well justiies renewed and anx.
Gus attention.
| also communicate, herewith, the copy
of a correspondence between Mr.. Steven
son and Lord Palmerston, upon the sub
iect, so interesting to several OF the South.
ern States. Of the rice duties, which re-
suited honorsbly to the justice of Great
Britain and ad~vantageously TO the United
States.
At the opening Of the last annual SEES
sion, the President informed Congress OF
the progress which had then been made
in negotiating a convention between this
Government and that of England, with a
view TO the final settlement OF the question
of the boundary between the territorial
limits Of the two countries. ! regret to
say that little further advancement Of the
object has been accomplished since last
year but this is owing to circumstance
no way indicative of any abatement OF the
desire Of both parties to hasten the nego-
tiation 10 its conclusion, and TO settle the
question in dispute ns early as possible.
In the course of the session, II is my hope
TO be able to ~nou some further de-
gree Of progress towards the accomplish
ment of this highly desirable end.
The commission appointed by this Gov
errmen. for the exploration and survey oil
the line Of boundary separating the States
Of Maine and New Hampshire from the
conterminous British provinces is, 1t is be-
lieved, about to close its field labors, and
is expected soon to report the results OF Its
examinations to the Department of State.
The report, when received, will be laid
before Congress.
The failure on the part OF Spain to pay
with punctuality the interest due under
the convention of 1884 for the settlement
Of claims between the two countries, has
made it the duty of the Executive to cal
The particular attention of that Govern.
ment to the subject. A disposition has
been manifested by it, which is believed
to be entirely sincere, to fulfil Its obliga-
tons, in this respect, so o o as It's inter
nal condition and the state OF It's finances
will permit. An arrangement is in pro-
gress, from the result of which il is trust.
ed that those Of our citizens who have
claims under the convention will, at nc
distant day, receive the stipulated pay
ments.
A treaty Of commerce and navigation
with Belgium was concluded and signed
at Washington on the 10Th March, ls40,
and was duly sanctioned by the Senate oil
the United States. The treaty was rati.
fed by His Belgian Majesty, but did not
receive the appreciation Of the Belgian
Chambers within the time limited by its
terms, and has therefore become void.
This occurrence assumes the graver as
pect from the consideration that, in 1888,
a treaty negotiated between the W Gov
ernments, and ratified on the part Of the
United States, failed TO be ratified on the
part OF Belgium. The Representative OF
that Government, al Washington, informs
the Department OF State that he has been
instructed to give explanations OF the
causes which occasioned the delay in the
approval of the late treaty by the Legis-
Iature, and to express the regret OF the
King at the occurrence.