The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-17

surveyors and marked on the mapas region oil rock
and water. "a
| From the northwest angle of the Lake Of the
w Gods which is found TO be IN latitude 40 deg -
min SIS north, existing treaties require the me
TO be run due south its intersection with the 41th
parallel and thence along that parallel TO the Rocky
| mountains.
| After sundry informal communications with the
British minister upon the subject OF the claims oil the
two countries to territory west OF the Rocky noun
tains SO little probability found TO exist OF com
ing TO any agreement that subject at present. that
il was not thought expedient TO make II one OF tie
subjects Of formal negotiation, 10 be entered upon be-
tween this Government and the British minister,
part of his duties under his special mission
BY the treaty of 1888, the line of division along
the rivers and lakes, from the place where the 5th
parallel Of north latitude strikes The ST. Lawrence,
TO the outlet of Lake SUPERIOR is invariably 10 be
drawn through the miide Of such waters, and not
through the middle OF their main channels. Such
line, if extended according to the literal terms OF The
treaty. would, it is obvious, occasionally lntersect
islands The manner in which the commissioners Of
the two Governments dealt with this difficult subject
may be seen IN their reports. But where the iine
thus following the middle Of the river, or water
course, did not meet with islands, yet 1t was liable
sometimes TO leave the only practicable naVlgaoie
channel altogether on ono side The treaty made no
provision for the common use of the waters by the
citizens and subjects of both countries.
1t has happened, therefore, in few instances, that
the use of the river, in particular places, would DC
greatly diminished to party or the other, II, IN
fact, there was not choice in the use oil channels
and passages. Thus, at the Long Sault, in the 81
Lawrence, dangerous passage, practlcaoie only ior
boats, the only safe run is between The Long Sauit
islands and Barnharts island, all which belong to the
United States on sidc and the American shore
on the other. On the other hand, by far the best
passage foi vessels Of any depth Of water from Lake
Erie into the Detroit river, is between Bois Blanc,
British island, and the Canadian shore. So again
there several channels or passages, OF different
degrees of facility and usefulness between the seve-
raj islands in the river ST. Clair, at or near its entry
into the lake OF that In these three cases the
treaty provides that all the several passages and
channels shall be free and open to the Of the cti
zens and subjects of both parties.
The treaty obligations subsstiDg between the two
countries for the suppression of the African slave
trade, and the complaints made to this Government
within the last three four years. many Of them but
too well founded of the visitation, seizure and de-
tention of American vessel, at coast by British
cruisers could not but form delicate and highly
important part of the negotiations which have now
been held.
The early and pr mnen part which the Govern
ment OF the Uited States has taken for the abolition
Of this unlawful and inhuman traffic, is well known.
BY the tenth article If the treaty of Ghen 1t is de-
cared that the traffic IN slaves is irrec ncileable
with The principles Of humanity and justice, and that
both his Majesty and the United States are DESTROYS
of con nuing tn ir efforts to promote its entire aboli-
ton and it is thereby agreed that both the contract
ing parties shall their best endeavors TO accom-
pish so desirable an object. The Government Of
the United States has, by law d, cared the African
slave trade piracy and at It's SUGGESTION DINER ma
tons have made similar enactments. thas not been
wanting in honest and Jealous efforts, made IN con-
formity with the wishes Of the whole country, to ac-
compsh the entire abolition of the traffic in slaves
upon the African coast but these efforts and those
OF other countries directed to the same end, have
proved to considerable degree, unsuccessful.
Treaties are known to have been entered into some
years ago between England and France, by which
the former power, w hich usually maintains large
naval force on the African station was authorized to
seize, and bring in for adjudication, vessels found
engaged in the slave trade under the French flag.
II is known that, in December last, treaty was
signed in London by the representatives If England
France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, having for its
protested object srepg and united effort of the five
powers to put an end to the traffic. This treaty was
not officially communicated to the Government Of the
United States but its provisions and stipuatons are
supposed to be accurately known to the public. 1t is
understood to be not yet ratified on the part of
France
No application request has been made to this
Government to become party 10 this treaty but the
course it might take in regard to il has excited no
small degree of attention and discussion in Europe
as the principle upon which it is founded, and the
stpulations which it contains have caused warm ami
madyersions and great political excitement
ia my message at the commencement of the pre- |
principles which this Government supports respect
ing the right Of search and the immunity Of flags |
DESTROYS of maintaining those principles fully the
same time that existing obligations should be fulfilled
! have thought it most consistent with the honor !
and dignity Of the country that It should execute its
own laws, and perform It's obligations, by its |
own means and its own power. The examination |
or visitation of the merchant vessels Of one nation
by the cruisers OF another for any purpose except
those known and acknowledged by the law of ma. |
npIpr phutn rpstr .ins 4.
may take place, may lead to dangerous results. 1t !
is far better by other means, TO supersede any sup
posed necessity, any motive for such examination
or visit Interference with merchant vessel by an |
armed cruiser, is always delicate proceeding apt
to touch the point Of national honor, well as to
affect the interests Of individuals. 1t has been |
thought, therefore, expedient not only in accordance
with the stipuations Of the treaty of Ghent but at
the time removing all pretext the part of
others for violating the immunies Of the American |
flag upon the seas, they exist and are defined by
the law of nations, to enter into the articles now sub
mitted to the Senate.
The treaty which now submit TO YOU proposes no
alteration, mitigation, modification Of the rules of
the law of nations. 1t provides simply that each Of
the two Governments shall maintain the coast of
Africa a sufficient squadron to enforce separately
and respectively, the laws, rights and obligations Of
the two countries for the suppression Of tie slave
trade.
Another consideration Of great Importance has re-
this mode Of fulfilling the duties and
obligations Of the country. Our commerce along the
western coast Of Africa is extensive and supposed to
be increasing There is reason TO think that in many
cases, those engaged in it have met with Interruptions
and annoyances caused by the Jealousy and instiga
ton Of rivals engaged in the same trade. Many COM
plants this subject have reached the Government
respectable naval force on the coast is the natural
resort and security against further Of
kind.
The surrender TO justice of persons who, having
committed high crimes, seek asyl um in the terrific
ries OF neighboring nation, would to be act
due TO tie cause of general justice and prope ly be-
longing TO the present state of civilization and inter
course. The Nrliish nroynces Of North America are