Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-22
ruE RIGHT or SEARCH.

=
bringing the matter to clear understanding, Lor
: Aberdeen goes on to say
RI Mr. Stevenson persists in eontending that IN
British Government assert right which is equlva
lent 10 the CAIN OF searching American vessels o
time of peace. In proof of this, Mr. Stevenson r.
lerS TO passage IN n torncr note OF NiSeount TAT
merston. addressed to himself, against which h
strongly protests-sud the doctrine contained d
which he says that the undersigned is UNDERSTOOD
to affirm.
, Now it is not tho intention Of the undersigned &
nqure into the precise import and force of the ex
, prtsSionS OF Viseount Palpierston. These nigh
have been easily explained to MIR Stevenson b,
their author at the time they were written; hut tn
undersigned must request that his doctrines upoI
this subject. and those OF the Government OF which
he IS the organ. may be judged OF exclusively iron
his own declarations.
| The undersigned again rcnounces, as he has al
ready done, IN the most explicit terms any rish
on the part Of tho British Government to search
American vessels in time OF peace. The right o
search, except when specially conceded by treaty
10 purely beligerent right, and can have no exist
ence on the high seas during peace. The under.
signed apprehendS, however that the right Of search
not confined to the yerhcation Of the nationality
OF the vessel but also extends to the object of the
voyage and the nature Of the cargo. The sole pur.
pose OF the British cruisers ascertain whether
the vessels they meet are really American or not.
The right asserted has, in truth resemblance to
the right OF search either IN principle in practice
IL Is simply right TO satisfy the party who has a
legitimate interest IN knowing the truth, that the
vessel actually is what her colors announce. This
right eoncede iresly as we exercise.
The British cruisers not instructed to detsin
American vessels under any circumstances what
ever on the contrary, they are ordered TO abstain
from all interference with them, be they ssvers or
Otherwise. But where reasonable suspicion exists
that the American lsg has been abused for the
purpose Of covering the vessel OF another nation 1t
would appear scarcely credible, had 1t not beeu
made manifest w the repeated rroteStations Of their
representative, that the Government Of the United
States, which has s,ismatzed and abolished the
trade -sell, should object 10 the adoption OF such
means as are indsDensaby necessary Tor ascertain
ing the truth.
The undersigned had eoniended in his former
note That the legitimate inference from the arguments
OF MT Stevenson would practically extend even to
the sanction Of piracy, when the persons engaged
m u should think NJ TO shelter themselves under the
nag oi the United States, Nix Stevenson observes
that THIS IS n Misrepresentation on the part ct the
undersigned; and he declares tina, IN DENYING the
night at interfering with vessels under the American
Aas he intended TO limit his objection 10 vessels
bona hide American, and not to those belonging to
nations who might irNudulehtly have assumed the
flag Of the United States. But il appears to the
undersigned that his former statement Is by no
mems satisfactorily cor'rovericd by The declaration
OF MIR Stevenson. How is this bona fdes 10 be
provedi Must not MIR Stevenson either 10 crepe red
10 mNn.an tia, the fis alone is suiGcent evidence
OF the nationality Of the vessel which, IN the face
Of h.s own repeated admissions, he canno, do or
must he not confess that the application OF his arsu.
meuiS would really afford protection 10 every .aw-
less and pirat!cal entcrprizsl
The undersigned had also expressed his belief
that the practice general of ascer;airi-g ay
VISIT, the real character Of any vessc. The high
seas against when there Shonid exists reasonable
ground OF suspicion. Ms Stevenson denis. this
and lie asks what oher nation than Great Britain
mas ever asserted Or attempted to exercise such a
right. In answer 20 this question the undersigned
can a. once refer 10 the avowed and constant prac-
ice OF the United States, whose cruisers, especially
IN the Gull OF Mexico, 10y the admission Of their
puolc journals, -re VIGOROUSLY in the habit Of eN-
aiming all suspicious vessels, whether sailing uu-
der the English tag or any other. In whose ewes
a5e u csc vessels snspicous7 Doubtless in those of
the Commanders OF the American cruisers. But. in
truth, this right is quite as important TO the United
states rs TO Great Britain; nor is It easy 10 con
celye how the maritime intercourse OF mankind
could be safely Carried on without such a check
=, III can scarcely be necessary to remind Mr..
Everett that the right thus claimed by Great Britain
IS not exercised for any selfh purpose. Itisasse,t
ed 10 The Hiercs, Of humanity, and in mitigation of
The suherings Of our fellow men. The obi,rt has
met wth ine concurrence OF the whole civilized
woFlc, including the United States Of America. and
ought 10 receive universe! assistance and Sunno,t
The undersigned canno, abstain NJ n, to,, -
rns TO the conduct OF an honor Die and ze,lous
ofheer commanding the naval force of the Trni,ed
states on The coast OF Africa, who relying on the
sincere ussIe OF MS government for the suppression
oi the save trace and sens IDLE Of the abuse Of the
American flag, entered NTH an engagement on ,bc
IN o. March, 1910, with the officer in command
OF her Males1y's CRUISERS on the same siaion -,
NhIeI they mutually requested eseh other and
usreeu TO- 10 oetain all vessels under American col
ors employed IN the iraEc II found In bs America,
property such vesselswere 10 be delivered over 10
me commander ot any American cruiser on the
station; Oh It belonging 10 other nations thew ySere
TO be dealt with according 70 the treaties contacted
" Ilet "als''y with The respective states. The
unosfsiened believes, and, indeed after the state.
inen' OF Nir stevenson he regrets TO be unable 10
DOUBT, that the conduct OF this gallant officer how
ever natural, and laudable in us object. bss hoe,
dlsavoved by his Government,
IL IS not The intention Of the undersigned At nrA
sent to advocate the justice and proprie,v ~ III.
mutual night OF search, as conceded snd ,'I
ny treaty, or 20 weigh the reasons on nccorn, ~
"h'ch his proposal has been rejected bv the 90
vernment oil the United States lie took orc,s,oo
III ioImer ho.e % observe that concessions s,nc
uonel oy Great Britain and France were not likely
10 ne incompatible with the dignity and indercn
uedce oil any other state which should be disrosol
10 ioiIo" ,hen example. But the undersigned begs
now to inform Mr. Everett that he has this d5,,
concluded JOINT treaty with France, Austrio.
Russia and Prussia. by which the mutual right Of
search, within certain ATTITUDES. IS fully and efTar
tuaiiy established forever. This u.s. in truth bol,,
aIiancf, IN winch the underss ncd would have rc
Joiced tu see the United States assume tbsir -.
pace among tho great powers OF Chrisieodor,
foremost ln power, wealth, and civilization ana
connected together IN the cause OF mercy and me-
iee. N"U JUS
Il is undoubtedly trae that this rich, NAV, ~.
aouseu, IKE every other which Is deiegat,d Ia 80,
ana Hlherent hands Il is possible that II ro,, H..
exercised wanion.y and veXatious v; and. sbou.5
this be the case, u would not only cali ror r.,,
suance, bot wou ID Justify resentment THE To,,
ever, Is m the highest degree improbable ami n II,
spt'e oi the utmost caution, an error should bo co
united, and any American vessel should suf.r h.,
or INJURY, II would be followed by promnt al 40,
PIE reparation. The undersigned bees 10 go,
mat with America vessels, whatever be tbe,, a.
unhton, British cruisers have no pretension d, -
manner TO interfere. Such vessels rnust he 49,. 80
ied, u enjoyed m il, 10 enjoy rnonops.lv oc a.,
cnhiilo~ed trade; but the British Cove, mo-, IN
never endure tt1t the fraudulent use of tbc H..
can tiS shall extend the iniqmty 10 Other n,,,o,s
by whom II IS nbhorrej, md who no We ente,,d ,,o
preston. 1"'''s sup
In order to prove TO Mr. Everett the anIis,v n
het maJesiy's Government to prevent ali res,oo5.
gtouho OF complaint, the undersigned believes ina,
nc cannon 90 better than 70 communicate to bi,,
1ne substance oi those Instructions under which tbc
hfRish cruisers act N relation 10 Ane,i~,r 80.
when employed on this service.
IT, from the intelligence which a.. ,a......
handing her Mojesty's cruiser rn.y b,v. ,ce,i,si
OF rom the naB0uvres Of the vessel o., g., ,,t
suhelent cause, be shall have reason 20 behave d.
olhoush bearing the American fac the ves,eI d.,
not Os'ong TO me United States, he he orde,sJ ,
wy 9'a.e Of NE wind and weather shall adm, ~ b,
W. p" hN'uu oi tho HugUfcfcd vrsaef .r,- .....-..