The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-16

wrh her sights as an independant Power, has
yet been made Ia The view taken by this Gov
ernmenI, the inquiry whether the vessel was
in the employment Of those who we're prose-
cutting an unauthorized war against that pro-
vince, or was engaged by lbe owner in The bu-
siness of transporting passengers TO and from
Navy island in hopes Of private gain, which
was most probably the case, in no degree al
ters the real question at issue between The two
Governments. This Government can never
Concede 10 any foreign Government the power,
except in caseOfrhe most urgent and extreme
necessity, Of invading its territory, either TO
arrest the persons or destroy the property Of
those who may have violated the municipal
laws of such foreign Government, or have dis
regarded their obligations arising under the
law Of nations The territory OF The United
States must be regarded as sacredy secure
against all such invasions, until they shall vol
unfairly acknowledge their inability 10 acqutt
themselves Of their duties 10 others. And, in
announcing this sentiment, do but affirm
principle which no nation on earth would be
more ready to vindicate, al all hazards, than
the people and Government Of Great Britain.
IT, upon full Investigation OF all the facts,
il shall appear that the owner OF the Caroline
was governed by hostile intent, or had made
common cause with those who were in the oc-
cupancy of Navy island, then, so far as he is
conc erned, there can be no claim to indemni-
~ for the destruction of his boat, which this
Government would feel itself bound TO proseI
cu,e-since he would have acted not only in
derogation Of the rights of Great Britain, but
in clear violation of the laws of the United
States: but that 10 question which, however
settled, in no manner involves the higher con-
sideration of the violation Of territorial soYer"
iegnty and Jurisdiction. 10 recognize 1t as
an admissible practice, that each Government
10 its turn, upon any sudden and unauthorized
outbreak, which, on frontier the extent of
which renders it impossible for either 10 have
IN efficient force on every mile OF II, and which
outbreak, therefore, neither msy be able 10
suppress 10 dav, may take vengeance inte
its own hands and without even a aremonstrancO
and in tho absence Of any pressing or oVerrul-
ing necessity, may invade the territory ofihe
ether, would inevitably lead tolresuts equally
tote deplorsd by both. When border 'collis-
ions como 10 receive the sanction or to be
made on the authority Of either Governments
general war must he the invItable result. While
il il the arden, desire oflhe United States to
cultivate the relations Of peace with all nations
and 10 fulfil all the duties'of good neighbor-
hood towards those who possess territories
adjoining their own, that very desire would
lead them to deny the right Of anyforeign pow
or 10 invade their boundary with an armed
force. The correspondence between the two
Governments onsthis eubject, will, at future
day ofyour session. be submitted 10 your con-
and, in the mean time, cannot but
indulge the hope that the British Government
will see the proprie,y Of renouncing, as a rule
Of future action, the precedent which has been
set in the affair at Scblosser.
herewith sHbmitthe correspondence which
has recently taken place between the Ameri~
can minister at the Court Of ST. James, Mr..
Mr. fS,evensen, and the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs Of that Government, on the
right claimed by that Government to visit and .
de,aiu vessels sailing under the American flag,
and engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce
10 the African seas. Our commercial inter.
csts in tha, region have experienced considers
able increase, and have become an object of
much Importance, and it is the duty Of this
GoveTnmsnt TO protect them against all impro-
per and vexations interruption. However de-
sirous The United States may be for the sup.
preston of the slave trade, they cannot con-
sent to interpretations into the maritime code
al the mere will and pleasure Of other Govern
ments. We deny the right Of any one, or all
the nations OF the earth, without our consent.
We claim 10 have voice in all amendments
or alterations of that code; and when we are
gwen 10 understand, as in this instance, by a
foreign Government, that lie treaties with oth-
er nations cannot be executed without the es-
tablishment and enforcement Of new principles
ofmarilime police, to be applied wilhou. OUT
consent, wermust employ language neither
of equivocaI import, nor susceptible of miscon-
American ctizene prosecutinga
awful commerce in the Africa seas, under the
flag Of their country. are not responsible for
the abuse or unlawful use Of that flag by olh-
ers; nor can they rightfuy, on account ofany
such alleged abuses, be interrupted, molested
or detained, while on the ocean; and ifthus
mOIesled and detained, while pursuing honest
voyages in the usual way, and violating no law
they are Lnquestonably entitled
10 indemnity, This Government has manifest
led its repugnance TO the slave trade, in man
ner which cannot be misunderstood. BY lie
law, it prescribed limits in point
Of time 10 its continuance; and against its own
citizens, who might so far forget the rghts Of
humanity az to engage 10 that wicked traffic,
L. - k,,; ;0G inin Iou do