Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-01

| munltles oil the American nag upon the
seas, as they exist, are defined by the
law of nations, 10 enter into the article.
now submitted to tine Senate.
The treaty which now submit to you
proposes no alteration, mitigation, or mod
lfication of the rules of the law of ma
tons. II provides simply that each of the
two governments shall maintain on the
coast of Africa a sufficient squadron Il
enforce, separately and respectively, the
laws, rights and obligations of the two
countries, for the suppression of the slave
trade.
Another consideration of great impor-
lance has recommended this mode Of full
filling the duties and obligations OF the
country. Our commerce along the wes-
tern coast of Africa is extensive, and
supposed to be increasing. There is rea-
son to think that in many cases those en-
gagged in it have met with Interruptions
and annoyances, caused by the Jealousy
and lnstigation of rivals engaged IN the
same trade. Many complaints on this
subject have reached the Government. A
respectable naval force on the coas; is the
natural resor! and security against further
occurrences of this kind.
The surrender to justice Of persons
who, having committed high crimes, seek
an asylum m the territories OF a neigh
boring nation, wou'i seem to be an act
due to the cause of general justice and
properly belong to the present state OF
civilization and intercourse. The British
Provinces OF North America are separat-
ed from the States of the Union by line
of several thousand miles, and along por-
tions of this line the amount of population
on either side is quite considerable, while
the passage of the boundary is always
easy.
Offenders against the law on the one
side, transfer themselves TO the other
with great difficulty, they are
brought to justice, but very often they
wholly escape. A consciousness OF i'm
munity from the power of avoiding JUS
tice in this way, instigates the unprlnc-
pied and reckless to the commission OF
and the peace and good neigh
borhood of the border are consequently
often disturbed.
In case of offenders fleeing from Cana
da into the United States, the Governors
of States are often applied to for their sur
render, and questions of very embar-
RAISING nature arise from these appIica-
lions. 1t has been thought highly lmPor-
tant, therefore, TO provide for tine whole
case by proper treaty stipulation. The
article on The subj ect in the proposed
treaty is carefully confined to such Of
ences as all mankind agree to regard as
leinous and destructive OF the security of
lie and property. In this careful and
specific enumeration of crimes, the object
las been to exclude all political offences,
,r criminal charges arising from wars or
Intestine commotions. Treason, mis-pris-
IN of treason, IibeIs, desertion from mill
airy service, and other offences of SINH
ar character are excluded.
And, less some unforeseen inconven-
ence or unexpected abuse should arise
rom the stipulation, rendering its contin-
lance, in the opinion Of one or both Of the
'arties, not longer desirable, it is left in
he power of either to put an end 10 it at
viii.
The destruction Of the steamboat Caro-
inc at Schlosser, four or five years ago,
'ccasioned no SINAI! degree of excitement
It the. time, and became the subject of
between the two Govern
nents. That correspondence having been
for considerable period, was
enewed in the spring of last year, but no
satisfactory result having been arrived at,
t was thought proper, though the occur
ence had ceased 10 be fresh and recent,
lot to omit attention to it on the present
occasion. 1t has only been so far discuss
ID in the correspondence now submitted,
IS it was accomplished by violation Of
he territory of the United States. The
etter of the British Minister, while he at
empts to Justify tina: violation upon the
,round of pressing and overriding ne
cssity, admitting, nevertheless, that even
UNSUITABLE, an apology was due Tor it,
md accompanying this acknowledgment
With assurances of the sacred regard of
lis Government for tho inviolabiIity of
rational territory, has seemed to me suffi-
lent to warrant forbearance from any
urther remonstrance against what took
lace, as an aggression on the soil and
erritory of the country.
On the subject of the interference OF
he British authorities in the West Indies,
confident hope is entertained, that the
which has taken place,
howiug the grounds taken by the Govern.
ncn', and the engagements entered into
y tine British Minister, will be found
UGH as to satisfy the just expectation of
he people of the United States.
Tho inonroccpoant of coapaon fron, Nc.