Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-19
ing between the United States and the Bshsms
IsLands, and driven BY such disasters into Brilish

, ing between the United States and the Bshsms
Islands, aud driven by such disasters into British
ports
IL Il, believe. unnecessary that should tell you
tina, the case Of the Creole vas known Ia London a
few days only before my departure. No complaint
had at that time been m,de by MIR Everett. The
subject was not therefore among those which Il
the immediate object Of my mission TO dis.uss-
But, at he same time, must admit that, from the
mouent was acquainted with the facts OF this case
| wa, sensible Of all its Impotence, and should
no, think myself without power to consider Of s,m'
| adjustment o, and remedy for, a great aeknow
! lodged difficulty, If could see my way clearly &
sny satisfactory course. and il had not arrived nj
| the conclusion, after very anxious consideration
that, for the reasons which will state, this question
had better DO treated in London, where Il will have
q much Increased chance Of settlement, on terms
likely TO satisfy the interests OF the United States
| The immediate case OF the Creo'e would he
| easily dsposed of; bet il involves q class and de-
serption OF cases which, FOR the purpose Of afford
ing that security you seek for the trade Of America
through the Bahama channel, brings into eonside
ration questions OF law, both national nad in,erna-
tona. Of tho highest Importance; and, TO Increase
the del cacy and difficulty OF the subject public
feeling is scnsitiveiy alive to every thing connected
with II. These circumstances bring me TO the cen
vction that, although | really believe that mach
may be done TO NEE, the wishes OF your Govern.
meni, the means Of doing would be best cons
dered IN London, where immediate reference may
be had TO the highest authorities, every point OF
delicaey and difficulty that may arise, whatever l
might attempt would be more or less under the dis
advantage of being be,tered 10y apprehensions OF
responsibility, and might thereby DO kept within
limits which my Government, at home might dlsre.
gard. In other word', believe you would have a
better chance 10 this settlement with them tn with
me. state this after some imperfect .ndeavors, by
correspondence, TO come at satisfactory
II we're IN this instance treating of ordinary ma
tefial interests, should proceed with conf
dence; but anxious as | unfeiguedly am that nil
questions likely TO disturb the future good under
stsndIng between us should be averted, | strongly
recommend this question OF the security OF the Ba.
hama channel bang referred for discussion in Lon
don.
This oPnion is more decidedly confirmed by your
very elaborate and important argument on the np.
plication OF the general principles OF the law Of
nations 10 these subjecls-an argument, to which
your authority necessarily gives grea; weight but in
which would no, presume TO follow you with my
own imperfect means. Great Britain and the United
States, covering all the of the world with their
commerce, have the greatest possible interest in
maintaining sound and pure principles Of information.
al law, as we'll as the practice OF reciprocal aid and
good ofices IN all their harbors and possessions.
Win respect TO the latter il is satisfactory to know
thst the disposition of the respective Governments
and people leave little TO be desired with the single
exception OF those very delicate and perplexng
questions which have recently arisen from the
state OF slavery; and even these seem confined,
and likely TO Continue TO DC confined to the narrow
passage OF the Bahama channel. At no other part
OF the British possessions are American vessels with
slaves ever likely 10 touch, nor are they likely 10
touch there otherwise than for the pressure OF yery
urgent necessity. The difficulty, therefore, az well
as the desired remedy, is apparently confined with
in narrow limits.
Upon the great general principle, affecting this
case We do not differ. You admit that if slaves the
property Of American citizens escape into British
territories, It IS not expected that they will be re.
sored; and you may be well assured that there is no
wish on our part that they should reach our shores
or that British possession, should be used as deeoyS
for the vIolatoIs Of the laws of friendly neishb5r
when these slaves do reach us, 10y whatever
means there is no alternative. The present state OF
Brit sh law IS IN this respect too well known 10 re-
ql"e repetition, nor need | remind you that il is
exac,ly the same with the laws OF every part OF
Ihe United States where state OF slavery ia not
recognized; and that the slaves put on shore at
Nassau, would be dealt with exactly as would n
iorel.n slave landing under any circumstances
whatsVer at Boston.
Bot what constitutes the being within British do
mhIon, from which these consequences are 10 fol-
owi Is vessel passing through the ihama chan
mel ana forced involuntary, either from storm or
mltiny, into British waters, 10 be 50 considered
Nhat power have the authorities of those Islands
10 take eosnizance OF persons or property in such
vesss's3 Ihese are questions which you, sir have
discussed 4, great length, and with evident ability.
ySN duNauCeu some PROPOSITIONS
which rather surprise and s.artle me- | do not prc.
tend TO judge OF them but what is very clear IS
mat great principles are involved 10 a discussion
which would I'LL become me lightly 10 enter upon:
ana am eonhrmed by this consideration in wishing
that the subject be referred 10 where il will be
fec ly weighed and examined.
IL oehooves the authorities OF our two Govern.
menus well TO guard themselves against establish
ing by their diplomat: intercourse false precedents
and principles and thatt they do not, for the purpose
OF meeting passing difficulty, set examples which
may hereafter mslead the world
IL Is no. Intended this occasion 10 consider in
oe'a .he particular instances which have given rise
10 these discussions. They have already been star.
CT ard explained. Our OBJECT is rather 10 look 10
me means OF future prevention of such occurrences.
NAT ths may ne obtainsd, | have little doubt, al
tnoush We may not be able Immediately to agree on
me precise siIpUaIions Of treaty. On the part of
Gfeai Britain, there certain great principles too
deepy rooted IN the consciences and sympathes OF
the peopis Tor any minister TO be able to overlook
ahd any engagement might make in opposition 10
'nem would be instantly disavowed but at the
same time that We ma:nis:n our own laws within
our own territories, are bound 10 respeet those
oil our neighbers, and 10 listen 10 every possible
.assssHon o. mans Of uvsriRSS. E4g FsoShdsnc.
!hat THIS may be etfeciually done in the present
instance; but the case 10 be met and remedied is
nsw, and mus: not be too hastily dealt with. You
may; however DC assured that measures so impor
| e
tween the TWO Countries shall no. be neglected.
10 the meantime, | can engage that Instructions
shal be gwen 10 the Governors Of Her Msiestvis
colonies on the Southern borders OF the Unite States
10 execute their own laws with careful attention 10
the wish of their Government, 10 maintain GOOD
nelghoorhood, and that there shall he no oficious
interference with American vessels driven bv ncei
dent or by violence into those ports. The laSsBnd
duties OF hospitality shall be executed, and these
seem neiihsr 70 require nor TO Justify any futur.
inquhuonnto the state Of persons Jugs on boaJ
OF VESSELS SO situated, than may be Indispensable 10
eni1ree the Observance Of the municipal law OF The
colony and proper regulation Of is harbors and
waters.
strict and careful attention 10 these rules, an
pied ~ good faith TO all transactions q. they nrise
will, hope and believe, without any abandonment
OF great genera principles, lead the uyodanes Of
any excitement or agitation on this very sensitive
snG'et Of slavery, and, conssq ienily, Of those fri
ial'g ieelngs which may have tendency TO hring
mo peru al the great Interests connected with the
maintenance Of pesee.
further trust that friendly sediments and con-
Vcuon Of the importance Of ehershing them, will, on
on otessons, lead the Two countries 10 consider "a
volaby any further arrangements which NAV be
Interests - '"~''
hope, tir, that this explanation on this very i'm.
Porsnt subject Will be satisfactory 10 the President.
ana mat he will zee IN IL 70 diminuton Of th,t
earnest ce IRE, which you have been pleased to re-.
eognzs IN me, 70 perform my work Of reconciliation
sna iiendshipj but tho; he will rather perceive in
nay suggestion, IN this particular instance, that Il s
MADE with q we'll founded hope Of thereby batter
obtaining the OJjsc, we have N view.
peg le've TO renew TO you, cir. the assurances Of
my high consideration, AsuBURTON
Hon DANIEL WLBSTEE, &c. &c.