The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-03-10

from the papers nov communicated, WIN
a distinc, declaration tina, If the facts turn
GU, as stated, this Government thinks II
clear case for decentralization.
You will see that in bis letter Of the 9Th
January, 1887, 10 Mr.. Stevenson, respect.
ing the cldim for compensation in the cases
of the Comet" Encomium," aud IN
terprise," Lord Palmerston says that H.
MS Government is OF opinion that the rule
by which these claims should be decided,
is, that those claimants must be considered
entitled 10 compensation who were lawfully
in possession of theIr slaves within the Brit
sh Territory, and who were disturbed 10
their legal possession of those slaves by
iuncIionaries Of the British Government.
This admission is brond enough to cover
the case of the Creole, If its circumstances
are correctly stated. But ii does not ex.
iond to what we consider the true doctrine,
according to the laws, and usages of ma
tons; aud, therefore, cannot DO acqulesced
IN as the exactly correct general rule. II
appears to this Government that mol only IS
10 un(riendly interference by the local au
thoriles 10 be allowed, bu, that aid and
succor should be extended 10 these, as IN
other cases which may arse, affecting the
interests of citizens OF friendly States.
We know no ground on which i, is JUS,
to say that these colored people had come
within, aud were within, British territory,
in such sense as that the laws Of England
affecting and regulating the conditions OF
persons could properly act upon them. As
has been already said, ihey we're no. there
voluntarily no human being belonging 10
the vessel was within British territory OF
his own accord, excep, the mulineers.-
There being no importation, nor intent OF
importation, what rlgh, had the British aa
thorl,ies TO inquire into the cargo Of the
vessel, or the condition Of persons on board?
These persons might be slaves for life they
might be slaves for term Of years, under q
system Of apprenticeship; they might be
bound to service by their own voluntary
act; they might be in confinement for crimes
committed they might be prisoners u war /;
or they might be free. How could the
British authorities look into and decide any
Of these questions? Or, indeed, what duty
or power, according to the principles OF ia
houal intercourse, had they 10 inquire al
all? II, indeed, without uuirIendly inter
ference, and notwithstanding the fu!dlmenl
Of oil their duties of comfy and assistance,
by these abthorItes, The master OF The yes
sci could not retain the persons, nor proven,
their escape, then 1t would be different
question altogether, whether resort could
be had TO British tribunals, or the power Of
the Government in any of lis branches, to
compel their apprehension and restoration.
No one complains that English law shall
decide the condition Of all persons actually
Incorporated with British population, unless
there DO treaty stipulation making other
provisions for special cases. But IN the
case Of tho Creole" the colored persons
we're still on board an American vessel,
that vessel having been totclbly put out Of
the course Of her voyage BY muiIny the
master desiring still 10 resume ii, and calling
upon the Consul Of his Government resi-.
tSAt o. Aalu pfdIS hIi upJu tuS 4UGdi duhu0F
ties TO enable him SO to DO, by freeing him
from the imprisonment to which nuiny
and murder had subjected him, and furnish.
ng him with such necessary aid and assist
ance as are usual in ordinary cases Of dis.
aster at sea. These persons, then, cannot
be regarded as beng mixed with the Brit.
ish people. or as having changed their
character at al, either IN regard 10 country
or personal condition. II was no moro than
Just 10 consider tie vessel as still on her
voyage, and entitled to the succor due 10
other cases OF distress, whether arising from
accident or outrage. And that no other
Slew Of the sublec, can be true is eylden,
from the very awkward position 10 which
the local authorities have placed their Go
vernment in respec, 10 the muiineers still
held 10 Imprisonment. What IS 10 be done
with them How are they 10 be punished
The English Government will probably not
undertake their trial or puulshmsull and
Of what use would Il be 10 send item 10 the
/ nlted States, separated from their ship,
and al period so late as that, # they should
be sent, before proceedings could be instl
tuled against them tho Witnesses might be
scattered over half the globe. One of tho
highest offences known TO human Law IS thus
likely to 60 altogether unpunlshed.
Ia the note Of Lord Palmerston to Dir.
Stevenson, above referred TO, his Lordshlp
said "that, slavery being now abolished
throughout the British empire, there can be
10 welioundcd claim for compensation IN
respect TO slaves who, under any clrcum
stances, may come into the Brl1sh colonies,
my moro than there would be with respect
o slaves who nigh, be brough, into the
Ilngdom." h>ve only TO remark upon
his that the Government of the United
States sees no ground for any distinction
ounded on an alteration Of BRUSH law 10
he colonies. We do no, consider tina, the
question depends at all on the state ofBrl,ish
aw' II is not that in such cases the active
Igency Of British law is invoked and re
used; II IS, tina, unffendly interference is
deprecated, and those good Offices aud I
rIendly assislances expected which Gov
usually afDrds to citizens Of !