Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-09-30

which every nation regulates MS cohcuct according 10
its discretion. Ii is no preach VI co"y
such surrender.
On the other hand vessels of the I. - driven BY
into Btsh ports and staying there no iohgei
than such necessity exists, violating no law nor nav.
,np intent 10 violate any law, Will CLAIM, ana there WIZ
he claimed Of them protection and secari,y freedom
from uolestalion and from all interference with the
character or condition of persons or things on board
In the opinion of the Government OF The " 81 such
vessels so driven aud detained by necessity ~ a
friendly port ought be regarded still pursuing
their original voyage and turned out OF their direct
course only by disaster by wrongful violence that
they ought receive all assistance necessary TO enable
them that direct course; and that interier
ence and molesa,ion By local authorities, where the
whole voyage is lawful, both in act and intent Is
ground for just and grave complaint
Your Lordshp's dlscernnent and large experience IN
affairs cannot fail suggest TO you how important IT rs
10 merchants and navigaors engaged in the coasting
trade of country so large IN extent as The u ,, that
they should feel secure against all but the ordinary
causes of maritime loss. The possessions OF the two
Governments closely approach each other. This prox
unity which ought 10 make friends and good
neghbors, may, without proper care and regulation,
itself prove ceaseless of vexaton, irritation,
and dsquiet
If your Lordship has no authority to enter into st
puation by Treaty FOR the prevention of such occur
rences hereafter have already happened occurrences
so likely TO disturb that peace between the two coun
tries which, j, the object of your Lordship mission
establish and confirm you may s,Itl be so lar &C
ouainted with the sentiments of Government as TO
be able to engage that instructions shall be given TO the
local authorities in the islands, which shall lead them
10 regulate their Conduct in conformity with the rights
of citizens OF the United States and the just expecta
tons of their Government, and in such manner as
shall in future take away oil reasonable ground OF
complaint. 1t would be with the most profound re-
cret That the President should that whilst il is
now hoped so many other subjects OF difference may
be tremendously adjusted, nothing should be done III
regard to this dangerous Of future collisions
/ avail myself Of this occasion to renew to your
Iordship the assurances OF my distinguishes console
ration DANIEL NEDSl En-.
ord Ashburton, &c, &c.
Lord .7shJurton to Mr.. Uehster
WAsHISGroN, August 6, 1912.
Sir You may be well assured that am duly sensi-
bic OF the great importance of the subject TO which you
call my attention the noe which you did me the
honor of addressing NE the LIST nst IN which you
inform the President had been pleased TO express
his regret that was not empowered by my Govern
ment to enter into formal stipulation for the better
security of vessels of the L. 3, when meeting with
disasters passing between the u ). aud the Raha
ma Islands, and driven by such disasters into British
ports
II is believe, unnecessary that should tell you
that the case Of the Creole known IN London few
DAYS only before my departure. No complaint had al
that time been made by Mr. Everett. The subject was
no, therefore among those whch IL was the immediate
object of my mission to discuss But, at the same time,
must admit that from the moment was acquainted
with the facts of the case, sensible Of all IT'S i'm
por,ance, and should not think myself without power
10 consider Of adjustment Of, and remedy tor, n
great acknowledged difficulty, if could my way
clearly 10 any satisfactory course, and II had not ar
rived the conclusion after very anxious consideration
that for the reasons which will state, this question
had better be treated at London, where it Will have
much better chance of settlement, on terms merely 10
satisfy The interests of the United States.
The immediate OF the Creole would be easily
disposed Of; but Involves class and description OF
casea which, for the purpose of aiofdng that security
you seek for the trade OF America through the BAHIA
ina channel brings into consideration questions OF
law both national and International, Of the highest
Importance and TO increase the decacy and .dd-
fcuity OF the sui .ct public feeling sensitively
alive 10 every thing connected with 1t. These cur
cumstances bring me 10 the conv'cton that although
! really believe that much may be done to meet the
wishes of your Government, The means of doing so
would be bes, considered IN London, where immediate
reference may be- had 10 the highest authorities, on
every point of delicacy and difficulty that may arise;
whatever might attempt would be more or less under
the disadvantage Of being ivtlered by apprehensons
or responsibility, and might thereby be kept within
limits which my Government al home might Disregard
In other words, | believe you would have better
chance 10 this settlement, with them than with me,
state this after imperfect enccavours by cor
respondencc al satisfactory explanations il
were in this instance treating Of ordinary material in
teres,s, should proceed with more confidence but
anxious as unieignety am that al! questions likely
10 disturb the future good understanding between Us
should be aver,ed strongly recommend this question
of the security OF the Bahama channel being referred
for discussion III London.
THIS opinion is more decidedly confirmed by your
very elaborate and important ergu .nent the uppca
OF The general principles Of the law Of nations to
these suhec,s-an argument TO which your authority
necessarily gives great weight but in which would not
presume 10 follow you with my imperfect means
Great Britain and The L. s. covering all the OF
the world with their commerce, have The greatest pos
sibe interest maintaining sound and pure principles
of international law, we'll the practice Of ecpro-
cal aid mud good Offices all their harbors and posses
Sous With respect 10 the latter, il satisfactory to
know that the disposition of TIE respective Govern.
mens leaves little to be desired, with the single eS
cepton of those very delicate and rrrpcxng questions
which have recently arisen from the state of slavery
and even these seem coniurd, and likely to continue
10 be confined TO The narrow passage OF the Bahama
channel Al no other part of the British possessions
American vessels WITH slaves likely to touch
are ,kcy likely TO touch there otherwise than from
the pressure OF very urgent necess'iy The difficulty,
therefore, well In. q sired remedy, apparently
confnCd within narrow limits
Upon The Frea, general principles af citing this case,
do not differ. lou admit tha, II slaves, the pro-
perry Of American citizens, escape into British terri
lores II is rot expected that they viii be restored
and you may to well assured that there wish on
our part that they should reach our shores, that
British possessions should lie used as decoys for The
violators o.: the laws of 4 friendly ne,phbor.
When these slaves doreach us, by whatever means,
there is alternative. The present state Of British
law is, this respect too well known to require Pc
iiion, need remind you lhat is exactly the same
with the laws OF every part Of the United States where
state OF slavery not eccgnz"d and that the sia
put shore at Nassau, would be dealt w,th exactly
would foreign slave landed under any circumstances
whatever al Boston.
But wha, constitutes The being within British domi-
mon, from winch these Consequence follow: Is
vessel passing through The Bahama channel and
forced inv"lunatly, either from storm mu,iny into
British waters, 10 be considered What power
have the authorities OF those islands to take cngni-
Of persons or property in such vessels? These
questions which YOU have discussed at great
length and With evident ability Although you have
advanced seine propositions which rather surprise and
stalle me, do not pretend 10 Judge of them, bot what
is very clear is, that great principles involved in
discussion Which il would III become lightly 10 en-
Ter upon; and am confirmed 10y this consideration in