Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-23

my views es 10 the posture oi our AFFAIRS wan Dfeal
have regretted, as every honorable and patriotic
mind must have done, the vile and opprobrlous at
lacks made IN advance, on the distinguished indi
s'dnal who comes to our shores bearing the olive
branch OF peace. Who does not ieel that such shame
tai abuse Of a stranger, invested with a sacred dI
pomsue character, aud coming on an erranC
wowediy friendly aud pacific, Is most disgtaeetu to
those who seek thus to thvat, beforehand. his e.
orts Tor am,eable al uslment oi national die rences
aud the establishment OF a mutual good understand
ing that II is gratuitous. inhospitable, untmely,
and in the highest degree illiberal1 OF Lord Ash
burton, with whom have enjoyed the satisfaction
OF personal ana friendly acquaintance, will say
that believe there but few, II any, men IN En-.
gland his superiors in honor, ptobty, and practical
wisdom. And in regard to the banking house with
which his name and some Of his family have been
associated, and which has been referred TO with so
much malgrity, he has himself | believe, had 10
personal come xion with that institution Tor 20
years past. And must here express my earnes,
hone that, however the dccences oil life and the
Obligations and duties oi hospitality may have been
violated by licentious press, the great OF the
American People will welcome him with eCrdiality
as an ambassador of peace. As TO the points of dh'
ference with his Government, believe that they are
not likely TO lead TO rupture, the friendly Splrlt
and the ability are thrown into their considerable on
which hope will be employed. What are they
The hrst and most important is the boundary ques.
ton. The new Minister will be either charged
With some overture OF elmpromise, by direct set
I
OF an arbitration. he will be instructed to bring TO
conclusion the pending negotiation for reference
OF tie dispute 10 an arbitration. In the htst contn
gency, it the overture Is acceptable aud accepted
the difficulty will I've decrmi rated. But, II he is
powered TO make no such overture, or IT 1t DC un-
acceptable, tie parties will naturally fall back upon
the arbitration, which has been already substantial
" agreed upon, aud conclude convention for n H.
nal and dehnilive arrangement OF the dispute. And
whatever may he the decision of the arbtsr Unjust
be executed and Nequiesced IN by both parties. In
event, then, Is THAT affair likely to lead TO host
ties.
Then there is tho case oi the Caroline. No doubt
the seizure end destruction Of that vessel involved
direct violation OF our territorial jurisdiction and
| full explanation aud indemnify ought 10 DC made
| 5y Great Britain. Eat II was wrong not abSo-
! lute.y without any 1rovocaton. 1 here were rau
sbe rs ;ii'ivcs to say the leaSt and | suppose no
canSiderac man would sNy that the occurrence was
Of sufficient magnitude 10 bring down two such
nations rs he United States and Great Britain the
ca ,amity OF war.
In the third plac We have the Cceoie cas-; in re-
spec, 10 which thrk Great Britain is in the wrong
ard stands bound u make idll indemnity for the
value OF the slaves. Although II true that, IN the
ab,crce &C al svpull,icrs by treaty, one nation IS
not hourd m street night to surrender offenders and
iusrives from Justice who take refuge within its
/ dominions she has no right 10 afford facilities to
escape by lbera'irg and dScharsius persons under
| foreign flag. But this Is matter for negotiation
/ and negotiation hls hardly vet begun. IL should
he left under The conduct Of the const tuiona organ
! IL premature. We are, perhaps too prone 10
/ ptomulgats the Instructions given To our foreign
minister. In the present stage of the question. Il
m any probable aspect Of Il, no immediate cause IS
d'scsrnre oil disturbing the peace between ;he two
I counUtcs.
/ What else remains7 There is the question Of
the RICH: ~ Sesrch-the right OF visitation, the right
ot v'rncAuon a. the national character OF the vessel
or by whatever other name It should be called
This should not be coniounded with the right OF
search claimed and exercised by Great Britain. ac
coEding TO which, IN time OF war, British cruisers
entered our vessels and seized euemy's goods
persons, and impressed American s-amen under
The precSi OF ,hsr being subjects of Great B0tnn.
This fracice, IN respect to mpressmeni can never
be tolerated or again allowed, and presume will
be abandoned, but II IL should ever be renewed, II
would be the signal Of immediate AMI inevitable
war. As 10 the present pre,ension OF the right OF
search in the African seas, | DO not understand.
from the correspondence between Mr. Stevenson and
Lords Palmsrs'on and Aberdeen, that there Is the
slightest difference, IA principle, between the two
Governments. MIR Stevenson admits that the Anne.
ricln flag can only lawfully cover and ptotee, Anne
rIcan vessels; and that its inmunties cannot be
enjoyed by British vessels by pirates. or by the
vessels o. nations which allow the British search.
Ga the other hand, Lords PalmeTston and AbeT-
deem expressly dIsc.aim any right TO search an
American vessel, and ADM, that it real American
vessel - loaded from the deck to the hold with
slaves British cruisers have no right to stop or
detaln her but insist that, IT the American flag IS
to sail under i, and which IS liable their vista.
ton, the fraudulent use OF nag, the possession
Of simulated papers, cannot supersede their right
Here, then, IS psfect coincidence, in principle
between the diplomsts Otre two countries. It's the
abuse only OF that principle in practical operatop,
out OF winch any complaints can Justly arse. And
II must be admitted that abuses may spring W
What, them should be done2 Great Britain should
he held 10 prompt and fiftindemnity tor every in
Jury, Intentional or unintentiOnat that may be IN
hleted on our commerce. But, seeing that the sup.
preston ithc abou,nable African slave trade is In
OBJECT Of humanity which both countries have OF
heart, may not some convention be agreed upon for
mutual right Of search under suitable restrictions
as 10 seas and proper regulations 10 practce2 IL
will be recoliected that 10 Is a subject which, II a
former PERIOD, engaged the serious attention of the
United Safes. The House of Representatives, by
an almost unanimous vote, Il believe with but nine
dIssenucnis,) recommended 1t TO the attention Of
President Monroe. In Consequence, a negotiation
was opened at London by Mr. Rush with MIR Can.
ming, the British Secretary OF Foreign Affairs. Mr.
Canning, as have understood, requested Mr Rush
10 draw up, IN any terms he pleased, treaty. and
he would sign II. MIR Rush accordingly prepared
a convention, extending mutual right OF search TO
the African and some OF the American seas. The
British Government ratified II, and u was laid he
fore the Senate with the British ratification. The
Senate proposed an amendment striking out the
American seas, and ratfying the convention in tina,
amended form, It WIS returned to Great Britain.
Mr Canning, too much, perhaps, influenced by feel.
ings OF dissatisfaction excited by the circumstances
OF the case, refused the treaty IN this altered state
and the negotiation ceased. Both Governments
having thus substantially lagreed upon a recipro.
cn right OF search, withiu-the limit Of the African
seas, DO no. perceive anytpsupcrlJle difficulty,
in a mutual spri, Of nmy eli accommodation, OF
adjusting this matter IN a sid0ictory manner.
MIR President, III not every cause OF complain,
that should lead 10 war. On grave and solemn
question there ought always 20 be some lust pro
portion between the magnitude Of the wron, or N
Jury and the terrible consequences of war Ma
tons should remonsira'e; ard negotl,e, and protest
earnestly and long, before they to sexual hos
ulitIcs. Honest differences o! opinion may exist
between nations as well ns between indiviju,,s.
and there may be at least class Of injuries not
rising 70 the importance Of iusuiying an appeal TO
arms which should be put aside a catalogue, to
be redressed when the dreadful day nj war comes
as sooner Or later 1.-THE later the beuer) must come
With respect TO the differences between the two
countries would make one conc uding observation
Whatever complaints there are menaclng the ne zee
OF the two nations, they arc complaints on our side
against Great Britain. She has none against us Of
nature threatening rupture. II war be neces
sary, and the only remaining alternative, II must be
proclaimed by US, not by her And consequently
the time and the circumstances under which II shall
be procsimed nte in our own hands. Happily
Congress, anil Congress only, can make the awful
declaration.
Bu', whilst IL Affords me pleasure To say that as
taf ne have information m any opportunity Oi
Judging, perceive no cause Of apprehension Of i'm
mediate war, know that ono OF the most power.
iu Arguments 20 ensure success in negotiation h. to
Lac NfrIH Il