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


spect and honor are due TO the American
flag, that no vessel bearing it ought TO be
visited by British cruiser except under
the most grave suspicious and well
founded doubts OF the genuineness Of its
character.
The undersigned, although with pain,
must add, that if such visit should lead to
the proof of the American origin of the
vessel, and that she was avowedy en-
gagged in the slave trade, exhibiting to
view the manacles, letters. and other US
ual implements of torture, or had even a
number of these unfortunate beings on
board, no British officer could interfere
further
He might give information to the cruz
sers Of the United States, but it would
not be in his own power to arrest or i'm
pede the prosecution of the voyage and
the success of the undertaking.
1t is obvious, therefore, that the ut
most caution is necessary in the exercise
of the right claimed Great Britain
While we have recourse 10 the necessa-
ry, and indeed the only means for de-
tecting lmposture, the practice will be
carefully guarded, and limited to cases of
strong suspicion. Tha undersigned begs
to assure Mr.. Stevenson that the most
precise and positive instructions have
been issued to Der Majesty's officers on
this subject.
The United States have stigmatised
this abominable trade in terms Of abhor-
ence as strong as the people of this coun-
Try. They are also actively engaged in
its suppression. But if, instead of Join
ing their effortsto those of Great Britain
and .laboring with her for the attain
ment of this great blessing to humanity
the United States had wished to follow a
different course, tho reasoning employed
in Mr.. Steyenson's note is.precise by such
as would be resorted to for its defence
and justification.
The undersigned, with his conviction
Of the perfect good faith and sinceri
ty of the government of the United
States, would almost fear 10 offend Sir
Stevenson even by dsclaiming any such
suspicion; bat he believes Mr.. Stevenson
will agree with him in lamenting thai
the effects of the policy of the United
States should have any tendency to ere
ate different impression in the minds
of those who are disposed to think les.
fayorably and less justly on this subject
Great Britain makes no pretension
claims no right, which she is not ready
and DESTROYS to concede to the United
States.
mutual right of search, regulated il
such a manner as to prevent the occur
renee Of any irritating circumstance, ha
always appeared to the undersigned +
be the most reasonable, the most simple
and most efeciual method Of attaining
the great object which both government
have in view.
But this proposal has already been re
liected by the United States, and the un
ldersignedis not instructed again to offe
itfor consideration.
1t is for the American government
alone to determine what may be due to
Just regard for their national dignity am
national interests; bat the undersigned
must be permitted to express his canyic
ton that rights which have been mutu
ally conceded to each other by the Gov
Iernments Of Great Britain and Francs
can scarcely be incompatible. with th'
honor and independence Of any Stat
upon the face Of the earth.''
/ Mr. Stovenson's reply to the foregoing
is the last letter in the correspondence
The views of our minister are clearly Sc
forth and sustained with power whic
we did not suppose him to possess. MI
Stevenson prefaces his argument by
brief recapitulation of the circumstar
ces under which, the present questio
rose, with the view of arriving thereb
l
at its real nature:
~The Government of Great Britain
'ffwith that Of other nations, regarding tn
(Afncan slave trade asa great evil, uni
: In measures for its abolition. Fe
e - arnose. laws were passed and tree