Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-06-16

Against the demanded concurrence of the
French Government in the Treaty Of De.
cember 90, lS4l.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATEs,)
Paris, February ID, 1912.
SiR,-The recent signature OF a treaty, hav-
ing for It's object the suppression of the Afri-
can slave trade, by five of the powers of Ea-
rope, and to which trance isa party, rs a fac,
OF such general notoriety, that il may be as
sumed as the basis OF any diplomatic represent
tations which the subject may fairly require.
The United States, being no party TO this
treaty, have no right TO enquire into the cir
cumstances which have led 70 it, nor into the
measures it proposes to adopt, except SO Far
as they have reason TO believe that their rights
may be involved in the course OF lis execution
Their own desire to put stop 10 this traffic is
cSerywReie known, as we'll a. lac early and
continued efforts they have adopted to proven,
their citizens from prosecuting it. They have
been invited by the Government of Great Bri.
tain TO becomea party to treaty which should
regulate the action of the combined Govern
ments upon this subject but for reasons
satisfactory to themselves, and | believe
satisfactory TO the world, they have declined
this united action, and have chosen to pursue
their own measures, and TO act upon their own
citizens only, without subJecting these to any
kind OF foreign jurisdiction.
In a communication from Lord Palmerston
Her Britannia Majesiy's Principal Secretary OF
State fer Foreign Affairs, TO Mr.. Stevenson
the American Minister al London, dated Angus,
%, 1S4l, Lord Palmerston claims right for
the British cruisers, and avows the intention
OF his Government to exercise it, to searcl,
American vessels at sea in time ofpcace, wit,
view to ascertain thcT national character
He adds, that 'this examination of papers OF
merchant men suspected of being engaged in
the slave trade, even though they hoist Uni.
ted States flag, is proceeding which it is alb
solutely necessary that British cruisers, EN-.
ployed in the suppression of the slave trade
should continue 10 Practise &c.
In communication from the successor o
Lord Palmerston. Lord Aberdeen, to Mr. Ste
venson, dated 18th of October, 1871, the view.
and determination announced in the preceding
letter are confirmed, and Lord Aberdeen thu.
states the ground upon which rests this pre-
tention 10 search American vessels in time 20
peace 'But the undersigned must observe
that the present happy concurrence OF tn,
stales of Christendom in this great object 9TH,
suppression of the slave trade) not merely jus
tiies but renders indispensable, the right nov
claimed anG exercised by the British Govern
mcnt,' that is to say, the right Of entering ant
examining American vessels TO ascertain thei
true nationality.
1t is no part of my dug TO offer any com
ments upon this pretensiop, nor upon the rea
sons advanced in support Of it; and lift were
should find the duty far better performed 10
me than could perform it for myself in til
annual message of the President Of the Unite
States to Congress Of the 9TH of Decembe
1S41. In that document will be found tn
views Of the American Government upon th
subject, and it is there emphaticaIly declared
that ''however DESTROYS the United State
may be for the suppression Of the slave trad
they cannot consent TO interpretations into ii
maritime code at the mere will and pleasu
of other Governments. We deny the right
any such Interpretation to any one, or all Il
nations of the earth, without our consent. "
claim TO have a voice in all amendments or a
terations of that code, and when we are give
to understand. as IN this instance, by foreil
+, Government. that its treaties with other n
tons cannot bccxecuted without the establis
ment and enforcement Of new principles
: maritime police, 10 be applied without o
, consent, we must employ a language Meth
! of equvocal import nor susceptible Of mi
construction
= YOU will perceive, Sir, by these cx,rac
; that the British Government has advanced
J. pretension which it asserts TO ne indispcnsat
e 10 the execution of its treaties for the supprt
;, sion Of the slave trade, and 10 which the Pre-
+, ident Of the United States has declared that
American Government will not submit. ri
I? claim Of search, it will be observed, arisir
as is asserted, out of existing obligations, /