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

tween this Government and the British
Minister, ms part of his duties under the
J special mission.
By the treaty Of 1888, the line Of di.
vision along the rivers and lakes, from the
place where the 45ih parallel of north
latitude strikes the st. Lawrence, 10 the
outlet of Lake Superior, is invariably to
be drawn through the middle of such wa
ters, and not through the middle of their
main channels. Such line, if extended
according to the literal terms of the trea
ty, would, it is obvious, occasionally in
tersect islands. The manner in which
the commissioners of the two Govern
ments dealt with this difficult subject may
be seen in their reports. But where the
line, thus following the middle of the ri.
yer, or water course, did not meet with is
lands, yet it was liable sometimes to leave
the only practicable naviguble channel
altogether on one side. The treaty made
no provision for the common use OF the
waters by the citizens and subjects of
both countries.
1t has happened, therefore, in few in
stances, that the use OF the river, in par
ticular places, would be greatly diminish
ed, to one party or the other, if in fact,
there was not choice in the use of the
channels and passages. Thus at the Long
Sault, in the 81. Lawrence, dangerous
passage, practicable only TOR boats, the
only safe run is between the Long Saul
Islands and Barnhardt's island, all when
belong TO the United States on one side,
and the American shore on the other. On
the other hand, by far the best passage for
vessels of any depth of water, from Lake
Erie into the Detroit River, is between
Bots Blanc, a British Island, and the Can
adam shore. So again there are several
channels or passages, of different degrees
of facility and usefulness, between the
several islands in the river 81. Clair, at or
near its entry into the lake Of that name.
In these three cases, the treaty provides
that all the several channels and passages,
shall be free and open 10 the use of the
citizens and subjects of both parties.
The treaty obligations subsisling be-
tween the two countries for the suppress
sion of the African slave trade, and the
complaints made to this Government
within the last three or four years, many
of them but two we'll founded, of the visi-
tation, seizure and detention of American |
vessels on that coast, by British cruizers,
could not but form a delicate and highly |
important p ,rt Of the negotiations which
have now been held.
The early and prominent part which
the Government of the United States has
taken for the abolition of this unlawful
and Inhuman traffic is we'll known. BY
the tenth article Of the Treaty of Client,
it is declared that traffic in slaves is ire
concilable with the principles of humani-
ty and Justice, and that both His Majesty
and the United States are DESTROYS of
continuing their efforts to promote its en-
tire abolition; and it is thereby agreed
that both the contracting parties shall use
their best endeavors to accomplish so de-
sirable an object. The Government of
the United States has, by law, declared the
African slave trade piracy; and at its sug-
gestion other nations have made similar
enactments. 1t has not been wanting in
honest and jealous efforts, made in con-
formi,y with the wishes of the whole
country, to accomplish the entire abolition
of the traffic in slaves upon the African
coast; but these efforts and those of other
directed to the same end, have
proved, to a considerable degree, unsuc-
cessful. Treaties are known to have been
entered into some years ago between
England and France, by which the former
power, which usually maintains a large
naval force on the African station, was
authorized to seize and bring in for adju-
dication, vessels found engaged in the
slave trade under the French flag.
1t is known, that in December last, a
treaty was signed IN London by the rep
resentatives of England. France, Russia,
Prussia, and Austria, having for its pro-
fessed object, strong and united effort of
the five powers TO put an end to the trail
fic. This treaty was not officially commu-
nicated to the Government of the United
States, but its provisions and stipulations
are supposed to be accurately known to
the public. 1t is understood to be not yet
ratified on the part of France.
No application or request has been
made to this Government to become party
10 this Treaty; but the course it might
lake in regard to it, has excited no small
degree Of attention and discussion In Ed
rope, as the principle upon which it is
founded and the stipulations which it CON-
lains, have caused warm aDImadversions {
and great political excitement. .
Ia my message at the commencement
Of the present session of Congress, | en-
1eavorec 10 state the principles which this
Government supports respecting the right
Of search and the immunity of haus.