Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-03-14
POSTSCRIPT.
THE CREOLE CASE.

Among the documents recently transmitted TO
Congress is the official letter or despatch Of the
Secretary of State (of course expressing the views
OF the Prrsleut,) to our Minister at London, ON
the Creole case. Assuming thnt The protests in
this case set forth HE facts, the despatch claims
that the Creole was on II lawful voyage, with mer
chandlze on bonrd and also with slaves "natives
| Ut America, aud belunging to American citizens,
and which are recognized rs property by the Con-
stilutun %! the U. :. ~ Ilu-e states in which
slavery exists" that some OF The slaves rose up
on and suhlu,d d. rtrv, killed one man, aud
took The vessel into Nss-au against the masters
will, "und with The consent Of nobudy but the
mutinerrs oni murIorrrs !" and under these cir
cumstances urges, that it was the plain aud obvi-
Gus duty of the authorities at Nassau to aid in re-
storing TO the master The control of the vessel and
enabling him to resume his voyage, aud take the
muliGeers and murderers TO their own country to
answer for their crimes before the proper trbu-
nal. Briefly if we understand it, this case, so
far the duty Of the British authorities in Mas
sau is concerned, is put upon the same ground MS
that of nn ordinary case of mu,iny and murder
The surrender of those engaged in The mutiny for
trial here is considered as due, and also compen-
sutton for those slaves who were not engaged in
The mutiuy and were set at liberty nj Nassau. The
last is put vi on the ground that they were reeus
ed by The interference of tic British authorities
which, If rue will ente to compensation uccor
ding to the Secre,dry's construction OF an ndrnis-
sion of the British government, through Lord
Palmerston, in 1887. AT that time, however, Lord
Palmerston claimed that MS slavery was prohibit
ed in Great Britain, there could be no well found
ed claim for com fensaiion for uny slave who, IN
der any circumstances, may come into the British
colonies The despatch contests this; sees no
ground for distinctions founded on any alterations
OF British laws, and insists ut length that Great
Britain must treat such cases according to comfy
and the usages of nations. Two considerations
are urged as of the highest importance first,
that nations must be treated as independent-cach
entitled to maintain its own laws and government
and in all communications there must be the
srictest application of The doctrine of non Inter
vention with the domestic concerns Of each other.
The second is, that so wide is the difference be-
tween Great Britain and the U. S. IN the laws ai.
fecting personal serviiude, without strict non-in-
reference, the peace of 10th countries and the
world will always be in danger The despatch
concludes with directions to our Minister to seek
to impress the British government with full con-
vicion OF the dangerous importance OF these del
icae questions to the peace of the two countries.
1t is possible, if the protest is correct, that the
British government will pay for all the slaves
who were set Mt liberty, except those personally
engaged in taking the ship. They ceased to be
slaves, we apprehend, the moment they Obtained
the mastery vi the vessel, just the American
people ceased to be British subjects the moment
they threw off the British yoke. As 10 delivering
mp those charged with muliny and MURDER for trial
here, it is entirely out OF the question: unless the
British government chooses 10 regard them the
same rs ordinary Seatnen guilty of mutiny. The
recent refusal of American courts THE U. 5. Su-
prcme Court to give up Docr Holmes, is a prece
dent which viii undoubtedly he followed by Eng
land in this case.