The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-23
From the New York Herald.

TIE RIGHT OF SEARCH--BRITlSH
NyGRESSlONS ON THEs AFRICAN
COAST CORRESP ONDENCE ON
THE SUBJECT.
We publish to-day, on the outside oil this pa
par, The two IaaI letters relating 10 the search
Iug Of Amerlcan..vesseIs by BrilsA Cruisers
cn the African Coast, passed between Earl
Aberdeen aud Mr.. Stevenson, late our Minis
ter to Engla
Tie letters are worthy Of the distinguished
individuals whoee names are appended 10 them
Lord Aberdeen writes in a candid and manly
strain; and gives up, virtually, the right 10
search vessels without a treaty bearing the A.
merican Flag, provided they ar bona hde A.
merican merchantmen. He admits this an IN
fraction Of public law and justice, aud viola
ton of national honor and Indep, ndance; and
that the British Government claims no such
right. Very we'll That is what we have all
along contended for; and what never would,
could, or did allow, whether Great Britain
claimed The right or not. But the whole glst
oil Earl Aberdeen's views as relates 10 AmerI-
can vessels, may DO gathered from the follow
ing paragraph.
After speaking ofthe visit Of British crui-
scr TO an American vessel engaged ln the slave
trade, he says:-
The Undersigned, although with pain, mus
add, that if such visit should lead to the proof
of The American origin Of the vessel, ard that
she was Nyowedy engaged in the slave trade
exhibiting to view the mAnaces, fetters, and
other usual implements OF torture, or had even
q number ofthose unfortunate Beings on board
no British officer could interfere further.
He might give information TO the cruisers
of the United States, but it would not 30 in his
own power to arrest or impede The prosecution
of the voyage and The success Of the undertake
ing,
In conclusion, no regrets that the U. States
will enter into no arrangement with 0reat Brlt'
aln-says that England asks nothing that, she
10 not ready to concede 10 the U, States. But
adds that he is not instructed 10 make renew
| al of the proposition for mutual right of scare
which has been heretofore rejected by the U.
States. The concluding paragraph is worthy
ofserous consideration
|. II is for the American Government alone to
determine what may be due 10 regard for their
national dignity and national interests; but the
undersigned must be permitted to express his
conviction, that rights which have mutually
I conceded TO each other by the Governments OF
Great Britain and France can scarcely be in
compatible with the honor and independence OF
any S ate upon the face Of the earth.
In reply, yHr. Stevenson takes high g. pro.
per stand, while at the same time he deprecates
the existence of the slave trade ss deeply as
Eall Aberdeen; and he very properly denies The
right to constitute the commander Of a British
cruiser judge weelher vessel be prOperlo
| provided with proof that they are entitled ty
! protection as U. S. vessels or not; and shows
| clearly that is an barsheSt form and this mode
and observes tha, if this be conceded 10 Great
Britain, every other nation may follow suit and
search also. This is the whole point in dis.
pue, and it will necer do give itup Our gov
ernment must look after The abuses Of It's own
flag. In the mean time, we are pleased and
proud to find that the British Government has
sent orders to The Coast Of Africa for their cru
sers to desist from searching any American
vesses.