Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-05-14

Gut where reasonable suspicion exists that
he American flag has been abused for the
purpose of covering the vessel of another
nation, il would appear scarcely credible,
lad il it not been made manifest by the re-
,eated protestations of their representa-
i've, that the Government of the United
States, which has stigmatized and abolished
he trade ITSELF should object to the adop-
ion of such means as are indispensably
necessary for ascertaining the truth.
The undersigned had contended in his
former note that the legitimate inference
from the arguments of Mr.. Stevenson
would practically extend even to the sane
ton of piracy, when the persons engaged
in it should think fit to shelter themselves
under the flag of the United States.-l
Mr.. Stevenson observes that this is a
on the part of the
undersigned; and he declares that in deny
ing the right of interfering with vessels
under the American flag he intended to
limit his objection to vessels bona ide A
merican, and not to those belonging to ma
tons who might fraudulently have assumed
the flag of the United States. But it ap-
pears to the undersigned that his former
statement is by no means satisfactorily
controverted by the declaration of Mr..
Stevenson. How is this bona fdes to be
provedl Must not Mr.. Stevenson either
be prepared to maintain that the flag alone
is sufficient evidence of the nationality of
the vessel, which, in the face of his own
repeated admissions, he cannot do, or must
he not confess that the application of his
argument would really afford protection
to every lawless and piratical enterprise?
1.-THE undersigned had also expressed his
belief that the practice was general of as
any vessel on the high seas against which
there should exist reasonable ground of
suspicion. Mr. Stevenson denies this, and
he asks what other nation than Great Brit
ain has ever asserted or attempted to exer-
else such right. In answer to this ques-
ton the undersigned can at once refer 10
the avowed and constant practice of the
United States, whose cruisers, especially
in the Gulf of Mexico, by the admission OF
their public journals, are VIGOROUSLY in the
habit of examining all suspicious vessels
whether sailing under the English flag or
any other. In whose eyes are these YES
sells suspicious! Doubtless in those of the
commanders of the American cruisers
But, in truth, this right is quite as important
to the United States as TO Great Britain
nor is it easy to conceive how the mari
time intercourse of mankind could be safe
ly carried on safely without such check
ut can scarcely be necessary to remino
Mr.. Everett that the right thus claimed by
Great Britain is not exercised for any sci
fish purpose. 1t is asserted in the interes
of humanity, and in mitigation of the suf
!. ferings of our fellow-men. The object ha
/, met with the concurrence of the whole CT
i vilized world, including the United State
, of America, and it ought to receive uni
= versal assistance and support.
r The undersigned cannot abstain her
). from referring to the conduct Of an honor
> able and jealous officer commanding thu
naval force of the United States on tn
coast of Africa, who relying on the SINGER
desire of his Government for the suppress
sion of the slave trade, and sensible of tn,
abuse of the American flag, entered int
an engagement on the l Ith of March, 1910
with the officer in command of Her Maj
, tvs cruisers on the same station, by which
they mutually requested each other, ant
agreed, to detain all vessels under Ameri
, can property, such vessels were to be deli
vered over to the commander of any Amer
+. lean cruiser on the station; or if belongin,
to other nations, they were to be dealt wit
according to the treaties contracted b
Her Majesty with the respective states.-
The undersigned believes, and, indeed, afte
the statements of Mr.. Stevenson he regre,
l. to be unable to doubt, that the conduct G
= this gallant officer, however natural, an
O audable in its object, has been disavowe
by his Government.
= 1t is not the intention of the undersigne
= at present to advocate the Justice and pre-
l. priety of the mutual right of search, ;
conceded and regulated by treaty, or
q weigh the reasons on account of whiC
n this proposal has been rejected by the G.
h. vernment of the United States. He toe
. occasion in former note TO observe TIL
a concessions sanctioned by Great Britain ar
IL France were not likely to be incompatib
st with the dignity and independence of al
c. other state which should be disposed to ft
lie low their example. But the undersign,
IN has this day concluded joint treaty wi
&C France, Austria, Russia, and Prussia,
n. which the mutual right of search, with
to certain ATTITUDES, is fully and efectually e
ne tablished forever. This is, in truth no
I'd alliance, in which the undersigned wou
lis have reioiced TO see the United States q
of sumo their proper place among the gre
of powers of Christendom, foremost in powt
wealth, and civilization, and connected I
he gether in the cause of mercy and justice
IS, II is undoubtedly true that this right mi