Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-14

IL has happened, therefore. On n lev instances,
that the use Of the river, in particular places, would
be greatly diminished, TO one party OF the other, II
in fact, there was not y choice in the use OF the chan
nels and passages. Thus az the Long Sault. In
the ST. Lawrence. a dangerous passage, practicable
only for boats, the only safe run is between the
Long Sault islands and Bauhsrjrs leland. all which
belong TO the United States on one side. and the
American shore on the other. On the o'her hand.
J.; "a, the best passage Tor vessels of any depth OF
water, fsotS Lake Erie into the Detroit River, 10
between Bon Blanc, n British island. and the Ca
madam shore. So again there are several channels
or passages, Of INHERENT degrees VI facility and use
fulness, between the several islands IN the nver 81.
Clair. at or nosr its entry into the lake OF that nnne.
In these three cases, the treaty proviies that all the
several channels and passages, shall boirec and open
to the use Of the citizens and subjects of both par
ties.
TIN treaty obligations subsis,ing betw cen the two
countries tor the suppression of the African slave
trade, and the complaints made to this Government
within the last three or four years, many of them
but too well founded, Of the visitation, seizure and
detention OF American vessels on that coast, by
British cruizers, could no; but form n delic tie and
highly important part Of the negotiations which have
nov been held.
The early and prominent part which the Govern
ment Of the United States has taken for the aboli-
ton of this unlawful and inhuuan traffic Is we'll
known. By the tenth article OF the Treaty Of Client,
II 70 declared that traffic in slaves 10 iTtecohcileable
with the principles OF humanity and justice. and that
both His Majesty and the United States are desi>
rous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire
abolition; aud IL is thereby agreed that both the
contracting parties shall use their best cndeavors TO
accomplish so desirable an object. The Govern
ment of the United States has, by law, declared
the African slave trade piracy; and at its suggess
ton other nations have mace similar euactments.
IL has not been wanting in honest and jealous ef.
forts, made in conformity with the wishes Of the
whole country, to accomplish the entire abolition Of
the trnfhc in slaves upon the African coast but
these efforts and those OF other countries, directed TO
| the same end hava Dr0ved IN n nSt1ernh ale Naprea
unsuccessful. Treaties are known 10 have been en-
tered into some years ago between England and
France, by which the former power, which usually
mainiains a large naval force on the African station,
was authorized 10 seize and bring in for n~dindica>
tioR. vessels found engaged in the slave trade un
der the French flag.
Ii is known, that in December last, n treaty was
signed in London by the representatives OF Eng
land, France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, having
for its protested object, n strong and united effort of
the hve powers TO put an end TO the traffic. This
treaty was not officially communicated TO the Gov.
ernment Of the United States, but its provisions and
stipulations are supposed TO be accurately known
to the public. II is understood to be not yet ,ali-
he'd on the part OF France.
No application or reques, has been made to this
Government TO become party TO this Treaty; but
The course 1t might take in regard to it, has excited
no small degree of attention and discussion in Eu-
rope, as the principle upon which il is founded and
the stipulatlons which il contains, have caused
warm animadvenions and great political excite
ment.
In my message at the commencement OF the pre-.
sent session OF Congress, | endeavored 10 state the
principles which this Government, supports respect
ing the right OF search and the immunity OF flags.
Deslrous OF maintaining those principles fully, at
the same time that existing Obligations should be
luhlleoi have thought II most consistent with the
honor and dignity OF the country, that it should exc
cute Its own laws, and perform its own obligations,
by us own means and its own power. The exami
nation or visitation Of the merchant vessels OF one
nntInn hv fha arG ~ oh =. .-.
except those known and acknowledged by the law
oil nations, under whatever restraints or regulations
II may take place, may lead 10 dangerous results.
II is Tar better by other means, to supercede any
supposed necessity, or any motive, for such exami>
nation or visit. Interference with a merchant YES.
sci by an armed cruizer, is always a delicate pro-
ceeding, apt TO touch the point OF national honor. as
well as TO affect the Interests Of individuals. Il has
been thought, therefore, eXpedien;, not only in &c
cordance with the stipulatons of the Treaty of
Client, but at the same time as removing all pre-
text on the p,rt Of others for violating the immuni
ties of the American flag upon the seas, rs they ex.
list and are eehned by the law of nations, to enter in
TO The articles now submitted to the Senate.
The treaty which | now submit TO you, propose.
no alteration, mitigation, or modification Of the rules
OF the law OF notions. IL provides simply that each
OF the two governments shall maintain on the coas,
OF Africa a sufficient squadron 10 enforce. separate.
ly aud respectively, the laws, rights, and obligation.
OF the twoe countries, for the suppression Of the slave
trade.
Another consideration OF great importance has re.
commented this mode OF fulfilling the duties and
ooisatlons OF the country. Our commerce along
the western coast of Africa is extensive, and SUP.
posed TO be increasing. There is reason 10 think that
IN many cases those engaged in il have met with in
te'ruptions and annoyances, caused by the jealousy
ana instigalion OF rivals engaged in the same trade.
many complaints on this subject have reached the
Government A respectable naval force on the
coast IS the natural resort and security against fur.
Their occurrences Of this kind.
The surrender TO justice of persons who, having
committed high crimes, seek an asylum in the reni
tories OF a neighbor:ng nation, would seem 10 be an
act due 10 the cause OF general justice and properly
belonging 10 the present state OF civiliZ ition and in.
teTeourse. The British Provinces of North Ameri
ca are separated from the States of the Union by a
'ioeot several thousand miles, and along portions Of
TINS line the amount OF population on either side is
quite considerable, while the passage OF the boun-
dairy is always easy.
ohenders against the law on the one side. transfer
themselves TO the other. Sometimes, with grea,
difficulty, they are brought TO justice, but very often
they wholly escape. A consciousness Of immunity.
from the power of avoiding justice in this way, in.
susaies the unprincip'ed and reckless 10 the commits
SION oil offences, and the peace and good neighbor
hood OF the border are consequently often disturbed.
In case OF offenders fleeing from Canada into the
Onlted states, the Governors OF States are often ap-
pIed 10 isr their surrender, and questions Of a very
embarrassing nature arise from these applications.
IL mas been thought highly important, therefore. TO
provide for the whole case by q proper treaty stipu-
lauon' The article on the subject in the proposed
treaty IS carefully confined to such offences ms of
mankind agree 10 regard as heinous and destructive
9f the security OF life and property. In this care
iui ana specIhc enumeration OF crimes, the object
mas been TO exclude all political offences, or criminal
charges arising from wars or intestine connections.
treason, mis- prison OF treason, libels, desertion
from military service, and other offences Of similar
character are excluded.
And, lest some unforeseen inconvenience or un.
expec.ed abuse should arise from the stipulation,
rendering its continuance, in the opinion Of one or
both OF the parties, not longer desirable, il 10 len
IN the power OF either To put an end TO IL at will.
The destruction Of the steamboat Caroline at
Schlosscr, four or five years ego, occasioned no
small degree OF excitement at tie time, and became
The subject OF correspondence between the two Go
Vernments. That correspondence having been sus.
pended for a considerable period, was renewed in
the spring OF last year, but TO satisfactory result
having been arrived Of, il was thought proper,
though The occurrence had ceased TO be fresh and
recent, not 10 omit attention 10 II on the present oc-
cision. IL has only been 30 far discussed in the
correspondence now submitted, rs il was accom-.
plished by a violation Of the territory Of the United
States. The letter Of the British Minister, while
be attempts TO Justify that violation upon the ground
Of a pressing and overriding necessity. admitting,
nevertheless that even if justihable, az apology
was due Tor II, and accompanying this aeknowledg
ment with assurances Of the sacred regard Of his
Government for the inviolability Of national terrific
~, hes seemed 10 me sufficient TO warrant forbenr.
ance from any further remonsirance against what
look place. as an aggression on the soil and terrific
~ Of the country.
On the subject Of The interference Of the British
I nufIasfHarU - gEa w. I.N.-- 49, 800 g.