The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-07
From the Missouri Reporter.
THE CREOLE AFFAIR.

On the appearance of Mr. Webster's letter of in
structions to Mr. Everett in relation to the outrage
perpetrated upon the Creole by British colonial Off
GERS, congratulated the country upon the proba-
bility, that every American would be found unwaver
ing in defence of American rights. We regret, how
ever, that we have been disappointed. A few Of the
utraWhig papers strenuousy denounce the doctrines
laid down by Mr.. Webster, and deny the justice OF
our demand for reparation. The N. Y. American,
the most rabid of the Br fish journals in this country
and which has commended for the superiority
of British institutions, makes common cause with the
Abotloniss upon this upon every other question.
The editor of that journal contends that since slavery
is not acknowledged by the law of nations the British
authorities at Nassau could not legally deliver up the
murderers and mutneers on board of the Creole But
if slavery is not acknowledged by the law of nations
that fact can have no bearing upon the question al
issue between Great Britain and the United States
in reference to this matter Slavery is domestic
institution of Southern States and recognized by
the constitution and laws of this country. Under
laws the Creole pursuing legal voyage, and she
was violating no law of nations. There is no princi-
pie more generally admitted, better established,
than that whilst the high seas, every vessel is
to be governed solely by the laws of the country to
which she belongs If she be forced into foreign
port by of weather, by any other unavoda.
BILE accident she is entitled 10 the privileges and
immunlties as if she were on the ocean.
No one can deny that the slaves on board of the
Creole guilty of murder and mutmy. They
and ought to have been given up for punishment
But northern apologsts for Great Britain contend,
that as they were slaves in contravenon Of the laws
of nature, they had right to regain their liberty by
any means, however desperate and cruel, which
necessary to that end. We have no patience with
men who will gravely advance an argument, which,
if correct would justify every slave in the United
States in numbering his master and all who opposed
his escape If the negroes on board of the Creole
escape punishment through the interference of Eng
land, that nation arrays itself in support of mutny
and murder-becomes the unholy defender of blood
shed and crime. England yearly forces thousands OF
freeborn British subjects into her naval service, and
according to the reasoning adopted in this case they
would be justified in ting the Threats of every Off
placed over them, and escaping to this any
other friendly power and the United States would be
justified in protecting the murderers and mutneers
against any effort England might make to recover
them.
If England is to be permitted to judge what shall
be property in this country, we might as well give
national sovereignty at once. If she can with
mpunity enter on board of American vessels forced
by accident into her harbors in time of peace, and
carry off whatever she may deem improper articles
of traffic, she may, with equal proprlety pursue the
same course upon the ocean Our commerce will be
subject to her CONTROL and the U. States to be
an independent and sovereign nation.