The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1842-01-22

But it is sufficiently notorious that the
flags of all nations are liable to be as
sumed by those who have no right or
title to bear them.
Mr.. Stevenson himself fully admits the
extent to which the American flag has
been employed for the purpose of cover
ing this infamous traffic.
The undersigned joins with Mr.. Ste
venson in deeply lamenting The evil, land
he agrees with him in thinking that the
United States ought not to be considered
responsible for this abuse of this flag
But if all inquiry be resisted, even when
carried no further than to ascertain the
nationality of the vessel, and IMMUNITY
be claimed for the most Iawless and des-
perate of mankind in the commission of
this fraud, the undersigned greatly fears
that it may be regarded as something
like an assumption of that responsibility
which has been deprecated by Mr.. Ste
venson.
While Mr.. Stevenson deplores the pre-
valence of this abuse, and the nefarous
character of the trade, can he be satisfi
ed that no remedy should be applied or
attempted
The undersigned hopes and believes
that the number of bona .fde American
vessels engaged in the trade is very
small land thus the danger of Interference
with such vessels by British cruisers
must be of rare occurrence.
Mr.. Stevenson will admit that his 90
Ijections to this interference would. under
any circumstances tend in It's consequence
to the protection of an abominabIe traf-
fic, stigmatized by the whole christian
world; out the confession of Mr.. Steven
son, that the trade is extensively carried
on under the fraudulent use ofthe Amer
can flag, does in truth justify the whole
claim put forward by the British Govern
nlent.
1t constr tutes that reasonable ground Of
suspicion which the law Of nations re-
qsires in such case. The admitted
fact of this abuse creates the right Of en-
quiry.
The undersigned renounces all inten-
ton on the part of the British Govern
ment to visit and search American yes
sells in time OF peace. Norris ii as Amer
lean that such vessels are ever visited
BUTT has been the invariable practice of
the British navy, and as the undersigned
believes, of all navies in the world, TO
ascertain by visit the real nationality Of
merchant vessels met with on the high
) seas, if there be good reason to appre-
bend their illegal character.
In certain latitudes, and FOR particu-
e lar object, the,vessels referred to are Wis
tied, not as American, but either as Bri-
: fish vessels engaged IN an unlawful traf
ic, and carrying the flag Of the United
+ States for criminal purpose, or as be-
e longing to States which have by treaty
: conceded to Great Britain the right Of
!. search. and which rightit is attempted
to defeat by fraudulently bearing the
protecting flag Of the Union; or, finally
0 they are visited as piratical outlaws, pos
t sessiug no claim to any flag or nationali-
$ ty whatever.
$ Now, it can scarcely be maintained by
: Mr.. Stevenson that Great Britain should
: be bound to permit her own subjects,with
/ British vessels. and British capital, to car
r ny on before the eyesof British officer,
J, this detestable traffic in human beings
b which the law has declared to be piracy
! merely because they had the audacity tc
> commit an additional offence by fraudu
., lently usurping the American flag.
= r~ithe. could Mr.. Stevenson, with
= more TYSON, affirm. that the subjects o
. States WINK bave granted Great Britain
"a. the rlgnt q So, ch should be enabled tc
Ee violate the oohgaNp of their treaties, b,
is displaying the flag olSse Union. contra
ry 10 the will and in defsSaoae 49, :
lat nerican government itseif
in Sill less would Mr.. Stevenso.
'ch to claim immunity for piraticaI al ~,
an rers who should endeayor to shelterths
lof lawless proceedings under the ensign
But the United States.
But, unless Mr.. Stevenson ge laror-
iels ed to maintain these propositions. i