The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-15
OUR RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND
THE CREOLE CASE.

Our readers will observe that, according to the
intelligence brought by the Acadia steamer from
England, debate to had taken place in
tile British House Of Lords, in which the af-
fair of the Creole was the subject of discussion
1t is probable that the letter of Mr.. Webster had
at the time reached London, and that its con-
tents were known TO Lord Aberdeen /; hut the
members of the House of Lords, who paitci-
patcd in the debate, were not advised OF the
views taken by the Secretary Of State in refer
ence 10 the affair, and acted, in all probability,
solely upon the representations made by the au-
thorities of New Providence. II will be observ-
ed that Lord A. expressed himself very guarded
ly IN the occasion, and that his remarks were
founded entirely upon he principle, universally
admitted to have been established by the law Of
nations, that in the absence of treaty stipula-
tons 10 that effect, no power has right to de
mand of another the restitution Of criminals fu-
gtive from justice This is the doctrine which
the Supreme Court Of The United States con
stanty holds but the truth Of this doctrine does
not dispose Of, and, indeed, does not touch the
case of the Creole. In that case the United
States has made no demand for the restoration
of fugitves from justice, and, consequently,
makes no complaint Of the refusal Of such de-
mands. The complaint is, that an American
vessel, in passing from one port Of the United
States to another with slaves on board was car
ried by mutiny into one of the British islands,
| and the local authorities of that island, instead
of contenting themselves with the performance
ls~r 49, .Io.s l>t.v ~.
| from the confinement to which the mutneers
! had subjected him, and then restoring the ship
to his command and control, direc ly nterfered,
or directly encouraged others TO Interfere, in for
| chilly freeing the slaves from the authority of
the master and assisting their dispersion. They
retained the nineteen persons engaged IN the
mutiny and murder, and now, as was anticipated
in Mr.. Webstel's letter, they find they cannot
punish the crime themselves and decline 10 send
them to the United States for trial and punish
ment What then does the whole amount to
but this to witt that in clear case of piracy
and murder committed on board of an Amer
can vessel upon the high seas, the vessel being
afterwards carried by the criminal parties into
the port OF British island, the local authorities
of that island effectively interfered, as well tc
protect those offenders from all punishment, as
to set free certain slaves found on board the YES
1 sci (? This is the substance of the case !; ana
neither Lord Brougham, Lord Lyndhurst, moi
Lord Denman, can prove that such proceed
ing accords with the principles Of friendly ma
ito al intercourse in modern times
1t may be fairly inferred, from the tone mani
tested on the part Of the House of Lords tina
there exists no very conciliatory disposition il
that body towards the United States, and it be
hooves us to look to our defences in the event o
hostilities between the two countries What pro
lection have we on the Atlantic coast2 Meme
or nert 10 none. What on the Eastern, North
ern Southern, and Western, frontiers None
What numbey Of war steamers have we ahoat
Some tico xthree, if the old Fulton be includ
ed. Has the Administration put these matters
before Congress? Yes, orer and orer again
What has Congress done in regard to them
Nothing, il has been too busy in reduc
ing the number of its pages. What will thu
People, whose lives and property are at stake
say to this Let The people speak for them
seires
DEBr.-A bill to abolish Imprisonment for debt ha
passed both branches Of the Legislature of Jersey