Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-04
RIGHT OF seARcH.

believe to be General Cass, the American Minister
at Paris, has put forth work which does honor to
the enlightened patriotism Of the author. II is a
production characterized by strong good sense, aud
a moderation unusual in such discussions where
the national pride is concerned. On this subject.
our readers are no doubt apprised. a controversy
has long been pending between England and the
United States. The former, refusing to aeknow-
edge the rights Of neutrals, and artoganty claim
ing the sovereignty Of the seas. frequently violated
the American aae from the year 1901 to ISL
She asserted the right OF searching American ves-
sells, among which ships Of war were included, and
OF impressing sailors thererom. During a pro-
found peace, the United States frigate Chesapeaks
was insultingly boarded, after being attacked and
compelled TO yield by superior force. Large num-
oers OF American sailors were seized and transfer.
red from merchant vessels OF the United States on
the ocean, under pretenee that they were English
msn-at least had been, or appeared TO he. War
ensued, and continued fer three years. When
peace was finally concluded at Ghept, the English
Ministry refused TO abandon any Of the grounds
they had assumed against ntu,rals. The Ameri
cans, on their side, sacrificed none Of the rights TO
which they had laid claim. THIS resembcd rather
an armiStice than peace. The amistiec has con-
,inued, however. for twenty seven years, though
the question is still open between the two countries
They stand apparently in the relations OF cour eous
and friendly intercourse towards each other though
IN reality Of mutual doubt and distrusi.
III HlSau hints knrongh n llGN1h' g
philanthropy, az is impossible fer to impute mo-
tives OF different charaetrr,) having proposed the
ABOLITION ~ slavery or at least Of the slave trade
urges the United States to consent to treaty which
wi, establish the perpetual right OF mutual search,
and thereby lead to the total suppre,son of this
sbomnable traffic N human beings. Assuming n
tone quite modest Toe her, she declared in the DO
sinninc that she demanded only the simple right
'to set as eonsiab,s n boarding suspicious vessel,
bearing the American Asg." But she now actually
holds up, or 81 least supposed that she would bc
authorized to do so IN short Time before the Uni
TED States The assent OF the four other great now
e's OF Europe. With this imposing unanimity
whch, however, rs u seems TO us the late vote OF
the Chamber OF Deputies has comp etsy nullihsd,
she assumes this right as beng now one OF the ire
clan'abie articles ot the code of nsuons She even
speaks haush'iy Of enforcingit The United State.
arc told that they have already tried a war with
ENGLAND alone, and that a war on their part with
all Europe would indeed he novelty" On thi.
point, the leading Journals and the statesmen Of
England have strongly deceived themselves
France would Lever have consented 70 become 4
party TO any coahuon against the United States
we have heard this lately proclaimed from the ri-
bune by NJ. Guizot himself
lhe argument by which the author OF the pam
ph';t no" uoder review resisis the pretensions OF
ihs Ensilsh Ministry TO impose upon North Ameri-
q, ~ authority, treaty adopted by the European
powers, Is marked by great :orcc OF reasoning He
vnumefatas all tho grave consequences involved m
sneh an Interpretation OF tie law of nations lie
| opposes TO inc doctrine proclaimed by Lord Pal.
merston, and adopted with some reservation in
terms a. least hy his successor the cpinion of the
English Admiralty Judge, Lord Stowell, which IS
mus expressed: mo nation exercise n right o.
| search upon The common and unappropriated Parts
OF the ocean, except upon the belliserent claim
No nation has the right to force their way for the
Liberation OF Africa by tramplins up,n The NIL
pendenee of other states on the prcence of nm emf
nent good, by means that are unlawful or TO press
forward 10 great principle, by breaking through
other gre't principles which stand in their way
lie lkewise cites the opinion Of Lord Wellington
which IS stamped with the high authority OF I'm,
usual good sense. He exposes clearly 10 the nd.
vantage OF every nation, the dangers which would
ensue from concession of this clam 10 Great B.i
tain, even upon grounds Of reciprocity. This re-
e'plociiy would be from the commencement alto.
Sether nominal. In fact, II would amount TO an
acknowledgment Of English supremacy on the seas
since It would be found in practice that in ninety
nine cases out Of hundred, would be he. cruisers
which would search the vessels of other nations.
L ms would result IN a supremacy without limits
Tor The English nation is the most rapacious and
grasping on the globe. This penehani we
acknowledge has enabled her to extend the
dominion OF civilization to all parts Of III,
worId. 10 tins fact General Cass likewise of.
'ers wiling testimony and applause. But TO tho
civilized nations with whom she comes in contact.
TINS disposition 20 stretch out indefinitely her in1u
enee and authority becomes vexatous and dance.
Gus IN the extreme. To no nation would the
homely Old adaee, give her an inch and she will
take an ell, so exactly apply. The Times indeed
eohiesses this, when ANONYMOUSLY avowing that
the law would work It's own way" The English
lnceed possess many noble traits of character com
oined vito high intellectual powers; but thew are
Iemarka6le for excessive selhshness and hauiety-
ihey are entirely persuaded that the laws and Gus.
toms oil England are incomparably superior To nj
o'herS u matters not where their steps may wa nder
n IN limit 49,.
TACT, they take but very slight pains TO smother or
conceal these sentiments in their official conduct
An arbitrary habit is eugendered among the English
ohcers by the manner OF recruiting their navy
and an English paper, the Sun, admits that thew do
not scrupIe to assume this habit towards other ma
tons $50
The right Of search once admitted. General Cas-
doubts not the world will see those scenes of vic
fence rapidly renewed, which for 20 years ut The
close Of the last century and the commencement of
ths, were enaetng on the whole extent Of the ocean
we shall hear again, as in the days Of the Emp,re
continued complaints OF matches broken up cnrgoes
oveThauled, valuable goods damaged and many ar
uc es taken away without permission and without
compensation. Surely every honorable officer
would deprecae these excuses; but where mich,
makes right, II IS not easy detect or punish the
iransressors Thus, step by STEP "the NV WORKING
us own way" the right OF search would eventu,te
m the establishment OF maritime despousm-a
despotlsm which no see the end of. for vyn
oil we'll know with what ndomitabe vigor md yers
severance England strives 20 maintain and defsn.
her usurpn,ions. The probable consequences Of an
ADMISSION OF the right OF search are shown by C;nn
Cnss by clear and fofclbe induction. He con
siders them as grave and imminent; and nfFrms
moreover, that America is fully resolved to rssis
the claim at all hazards even though the isSu,
shoulo oe war; Whist bringing prominently into
vie" the impfessment Of sailors which thus he
comes once more, as j, thirty years ago, a sub
Iect OF controversy, and upon which Englnnd ob.
sinatsyT.iuses 10 give the United States any IN
tshcuof, he makes this remark which deserves Tho
ferrous consideration Of every European "Ar
American At home or in Europe may boldly predict
mat the hrst man seized on LoaTd a vessel of his
own country, and detained, under pre,ence ofr,ebt
by order Of the British Government, will ae tho m
stant signal OF WaT-a war which will be long
bloody, md fruitful in viclssitudes"
Notwithstanding oil this, the United Stntea oys
lar from wishing 10 protoci, directly or indirsctIv
inc infamous traffic OF this trade. No nation ms
passed more laws 10 suppress IT, or been more 40
Icitous to have them enforced I'm fact ma, .l,S.
now - ever brought from Africa 10 IN. Tn;,ed
states Gen. Cass does not. however, think nov ar.
gument hope less on which the right Of search ropbt
ne based under certain limitations and ,ua,,n,ec.
bHt NJ no price would he be willing 10 enter mt a
stipulation which could be Construed INTO an &C..
acknowledgement Of the doctrine " iropressu,,n, A..
cofdng TO him, the United States youId ns;,b.,
hno" how 10 restrain this doctrine %, las, L.,
rules W which to govern IL. II IL scarcely go
pefmssiee to discuss the point, since n good cid.
zen should never bring the national lndepcndc,e.
INTO discussion. The Untel States will dnI,, ,s.,
sti'hcd with general declaration from the R,,,,L
pove'nmeni That their flag shall protect their sea.
men ~ ON times, and under all clreupetenrcs A.
EsnW|nWn would Line egf.1ses IL.