The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-01-04
From the New York ESpress.

The Core spondence beiireen Lords Pa7mersion
and aberdeen and Dir. Stevenson as 10 the
right Of examination Of ressels on the african
Coast, sailing under the american Flag.
This correspondence must be both painful
and pleasing 10 the people of the United
States and certainly i: is of high interest TO all
nations navigating the seas.
1t is painful 10 see an American minister
compelled 10 yindicatc q just principle when
perverted 20 the villainous and horrible traffic
in African slaves, and il is pleasant tc see thai
principle ably indicated and acknowledged by
Great Britain, in way and manner displaying
tie highest respect for our country. and com.
plete abandonment Of professions that led to
the late wa.
The correspondence sprang up :hus MIR.
Stevenson complains of specified cases of
violation Of our flag. Lord Palmerslon replies
that this occurred Under an arrangement with
the U. S. Comm nler Paine. and that these
wee the cases Of s.avcrs which from Mr.. SIS
subsequent silence, We presume 10 be the fac:.
Lord Palmers:on however, subsequently lays
down as right. That British vessels may de-
tain, in order TO examine vessels sailing under
| the American flag in the African seas. Mr..
Stevenson Indignantly demonstrates against
such an aledged ieh, and when The last Brit.
ish ministry weRt out of power, he rcnews the
correspondence with Lord Aberdeen, the sue
cessor of Lord P-lmerslon. Lord Aberdeen
qualities The claim OF Lord Palmerston, bu, still
urgcs. If TO- insists, that while disciaiming all
right To search or dc,ain American vessels.
even though with slaves on board, or obviously
in the prosecution Of n voyage for slaves, they
have 4 right 10 ascertain that vessels hosting
the American flg unier suspicious circum
sances are bora .fds American, with all Tie
usual papers, and navi gated according 10 law,
and that to this end they must stop and exam.
Inc such vessels. Mr.. Stevenson quo'cs Sir
William Scott in order 10 prove that:
mo nation can exercise righ. OF vista.
ton and search upon the common and unappru.
prlaied paris OF the ocean, except upon bclI;g-
ercnt claims" And again: No nation has
the right 10 force their way for the liberation Of
Africa, by 'rampling upo, the independence of
other States on the pretence of an emiren: good
by means that are unlawful. or 10 press forward
10 4 great principle by breaking through other
great principles which stand in their way"
The letters OF Mr. Stevenson are very able
in argument, though prosy in Illustration, and
wordy throughout The letter Of Lord Aber
deem is a beautiful. specimen Of composition,
and of ingeniously bad logic.
We commend the whole 20 the attention of
our readers. After This correspondence. and
the message Of the President. We scarcely
think our vessels on tie coas, of Africa will be
troubled any moro.
Our position as Christians, and as a cyiliz.
I'd nation is. however, upon this question,
most Notifying one IN the eyes of the world.
Our principle as established substantially. pro-
tec,s all The rascas Of the universe, in The use
Of the American flag on the coast of Africa.
we are bound therefore, by The highest consid.
efaions OF duty and honor. 10 Join with all the
energies we can raise, in putting a stop to this
disgraceful traffic.
The ILLINOIS State debt amou,ts To onI,, S1S
466, 642. The worst nf ii Is scaroely .,ry',;a.,o
roa or canal is finished, and SO I;,,;e ~ ~ -
come is realized TO pay even interest and s,1;o,,.
objection is made TO even attempting such a Csa,
at present, 10 view of the immense sacr fee mad
in borrowing the money for The last sem;-annual
payment!
The public debt of Indiana is about 600, 600
100000 of which is CT led suspended debt OF
1921 miles of railroads and canals projected, only
2Sl miles are finished, and about IL millions are
! needed 10 complete them. Hence the failure of
means 10 pay interest. The Governor however
shows that large portion Of the interest can b.