The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-06
From the Missouri Reporter
THE CRFOI LIE AFFAIR,

On the appearance of Mr.. Webster's letter of IN
structons to Mr. Everett, in relation TO the outrage
perpetrated upon the Creole by British colonial ofh
GERS we congratulated the country upon the proba-
blity that every American would be found unwaver-
ing in defence of American rights We regret how
ever, that have been disappointed few OF the
ultraWhg papers strenuously 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 British journals in this country
and one which has ever commended for the superiority
of British institutions, makes common cause with the
Aboltonlsts upon this as 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 mutineers on board OF the Creole But
if slavery not acknowledged by the law OF nations,
that fact can have no bearing upon the question az
between Great Britain apd the United S!asess
institution of Southern States and recognized by
the constitution and laws of this country Under our
laws the Creole pursuing legal voyage, and she
was violating no law OF nations. There is no prnci-
pie generally admitted, or better established,
than that, whilst on 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 stress of weather, or by any other unavolda
BILE accident she is entitled to the privileges and
immuntes as if she were on the ocean.
No one can deny that the slaves on board of the
Creole guilty of murder apd mutiny. They
violated the laws of the United States and of nations
anu ought " nave UeeH given up lol punishment
But northern apoogists for Great Britain contend
that they slaves in contraventon of the laws
of nature, they had right to regain their liberty by
any means, however desperate and cruel which were
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 board of the Creole
escape punishment through the interference of Eng
land that nation arrays itself in support of mutny
and murder-becomes the unhoy defender Of blood
shed and crime, England yearly forces thousands of
freeborn British subjects into her naval service, and
according the reasoning adopted in this case, they
would be justified in ting the threats OF every Off
Ger placed them and escaping to this or any
other friendly power, and the United States would be
justified in protecting the murderers and mutineers
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 well give
our national sovereignty at once. If she can with
impunty 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 proprety, pursue the
same upon the Our commerce will be
subject to her CONTROL, and the u States to be
an Independent and sovereign nation.