Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-16

authorised outbreak, which, on frontier the ex-
tent OF which renders II impossible for either to
have an ei!icicnt force on every milo OF il, and
which outbreak, therefore, neither may be ab,o
to suppress in day, may take vengeance into
its own hands, and without even a remonstrauce
and in the absence ofany pressing or overrulinp
necessity, may invade the territory of the other,
would inevitably lead to results equally TO be de-
plored by both.
When border collisions come to receive the
sanction, or to be made on the authority of either
Government, general war must be the inevitable
result W bile it is the ardent desire of the u S.
to cultivate the relations of peace with all ma
tons, and to fulfil all the duties of rood neigh.
borhood towards those who possess territories ad-
Joining their own, that very desire would lead
them to deny the right Of any foreign power to
invade their boundary with an armed force The
correspondence between the two Governments on
this subject, will, at future day of your session.
be submitted to your consideration: and i'm the
mean time, lcannot but indulge the hope that the
British Government will see the propricty of re-
nonncing, rule of future action, the precedent
which has been set in the affair at Schlosser.
herewith submit the correspondence which
has recently taken place between the American
Minister at the Court Of ST. James, Mr. Steven
son, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of that
government, on the right claimed by that Gov
eminent to visit and detain vessels sailing under
the American flag and engaged in prosecuting
lawful commerce in the African seas. Our com
mercial interests in that region have experienced
considerable increase, and have become an OBJ
ect Of much importance ard il is the duty of this
Government to protect them against all improper
and vexatious interruption. However DESTROYS
the United States may be for the suppression Of
the slave trade, they cannot consent to interpola
lions into the maritime code, at the mere will and
pleasure OF other governments. We deny the
right OF any such Interpolation any one, or all
the nations ofthe Earth, without our consent. We
ciaim to nave voice in all amendments al
terations OF that code-and when we ere given
10 understand, as In this instance. by a foreign
government, that it's treaties with other nations
cannot be executed without the establishment
ana enforcement OF new principles of maritime
ponce, TO be applied without consent, we
| must employ language neither of equvocal i'm
port, nor susceptible of misconstruction
American citizens prosecuting lawful COM
merce In the African seas, under the fsg OF their
country, are not responsible for the abuse or I'M
lawful use OF that flag by others they
rightfully on account of any such alleged abuses
be interrupted, molested or detained while on the
ocean; and If Thus mOlested and detained, while
| pursuing honest voyages, in the usual way and
violating no law themselves, they are unques-
tlonably entitled to indemnity. This Govern
ment has manifested its repugnance to the slave
tiade, In manner which cannot be misunder-
stood. by its fundamental law, it prescribed Ii
mits In point of time to its continuance and a.
| gainst It's own citizens, who might 80 far forget
the rights of humanity as to engage in that wick
ed trafhc, 1t has long since by its municipal laws
denounced the most condig punishment. Many
OF the States composing this Union, had made
| appeals to the civilized world for it's suppression
long before the moral sense Of other nations had
become shocked by the inquiies Of the traffic
Whether this Government should now enter in
TO treaties containing mutual stpuations upon
this subject, is question for it's mature del5er-
alton. Certain it is, that if the right to detan
American ships on the high seas can be justified
m Tho n Of g. ,ol~
sing out OF the existence Of treaties between other
nations, the same plea may be extended and en-
iarged by the new stpulations Of new treaties, to
which the U. S. may not he party.
| This Government will not cease to urge upon
| that OF Great Britain, full and ample remunera-
ton for all losses whether arising from detention
| or otherwise, to which American citizens have
heretofore been, may hereafter be subjected
| by the exercise of rights which this Government
cannot. recognise as Legitimate and proper. Nor
Will indulge doub: that the sense of Justice
of Great Britain will constrain her to make retri-
button for any wrong or loss which any American
citizen, engaged in the prosecution of lawful
commerce, may have experienced at the hand of
her cruisers, or other public authorities. This
Government, at the same time, will relax no eff
Tort to proven. Its citizens, If there be any dis
posed, from prosecuting traffic so revolving to
the feelings OF humanity. 1t seeks to dono more
than to protect the fair and honest trader from mo-
les:atlon and injury; but while the enterprising
mariner engaged In the pursuit OF an honorable
trade is entitled to itsprotection. it will visit with
condign punishment, others of an opposite char
acter.
invite your attention to existing laws for the
suppression of the African slave-trade, and re-
commend all such alterations, as may give to
them greater force and efficacy. That the Amer
lean flag is grossly abused by the abandoned and
Protiigatc OF other nations, is but too probable
Congress has not long since, had this subject
under its consideration, and its importance we'll
Justifes renewed and anxious attention.
also communicate herewith the copy Of cor
respondence between Mr.. Stevenson and Lord
Pamerston, upon the subject so interesting to
several OF the Southern States, of the rice duties,
which resulted honorably to the justice of Great
Britain, and advantageously to the u S.
AT the opening of the last annual session the
President informed Congress of the progress
which had then been made in negotiating con-
vention between this Government and that of
England, with view to the final settlement of
The question of the boundary between the terrific
rial limits OF the two countries. regret TO say,
that little further advancement of the object has
been accomplished since last year; but this is ow-
ing to circumstances no way indicative of any a.
batement Of the desire of both parties to hasten
the negotiation TO its conclusion, and to settle the
question In dispute, as early as possible. in the
course of the session, it is my hope to be able TO
some further degree of progress, to-
wards the accomplishment of this highly desra-
BILE end.
The commission appointed by this Government
Tor the exploration and survey ofthe line of boun-
Diary separating the States of Maine and New
III amDShirp from thp confernipnuc Rrit;eb De-