Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-09
THE RIGHT OF SEARCH.

PROTEST OF GENERAL CASs
| Agains, the demanded concurrence Of the French
Government in the Treaty OF December 20, II.
LEGATION or ruE UNITED STATES.
| PARIS, February Is, 1912. \
SIR: The recent signature Of a treaty, having
for its obiec, the suppression of the African ave
Trade, by FIVE OF the powers OF Europe, and to
which France is party, is fact of such general
nO,oriety, that it may be assumed as the basis Of
any diplomatic representations which the ,ubjec,
may fairly require.
The United States being no party TO this treaty
have no right 10 inquire into the circumstances
which have led 10 it, nor into the measures /, pro
poses TO adopt, except far they have reason to
1 believe that their rights may be involved IN the
course OF ITS execution. Their own desire TO put a
/ stop 10 this traffic is everywhere well known as
well as the early and continued efforts they have
adopted TO prevent their CT zens from prusecut no
| H. They have been invited by the Government of
Great Britain 10 become party to a treaty winch
should regulate the action OF the combined Govern
ments upon this subject; but for reasons Satisfactory
10 themselves and believe satisfactory 10 the world
they have declined this united action, and have cho
sen TO pursue their own measures, and TO act upon
their own citizens only, without subee:ng these TO
! any Kind OF foreign jurisdiction
In communication ffom Lord Palmerston, Her
Britannia Malesty'S principal Secretary of State for
I Foreign Affairs, TO MIR Stevenson, the American
Minister at London, dated August %, IsII. Lord
Pamersion el'ims right for the Brush cruisers
and avows the in;ention OF has Government TO az
ercse II, 10 search American vessels at sea in time
oil peace, with view to ascertain their national
character. he adds, that ",hls examination of IA.
pers oil merchantmen suspected OF being engaged in
the save trade, even though they moist United
States nag, Is proceeding which IL IS absolutely
necessary that BRUSH sers emp Owed i. the mn
pressoa OF the slave trade, should continue to prac.
tse," SC.
In communication from the successor of Lord
Pdlmefsion, Lord Aberdeen, 70 MIR Steyenson dr..
ed 18Th OF October, lsil, the VIEWS and de,ermna
ton announced IN the preceding letter are confirmed
anu Lord Aberdeen thus states the ground uton
"ncn rests lhis preiention 10 search American YES
sells IN time Of peace Bur the undersigned must oil
serve, that The present happy concurrence Of the
states OF Chrstendom in this great object Che sun
preston OF tie slave ,Tade) not merely iusties bu,
renders lndisf enSahie, the right now claimed and
exercised ny the British Government that is TO saw
The right OF entering and examining American YES.
sells 10 ascertain Their true nationality
| II Is no part Of my duty to offer any comments
upon TINS preiensiOn, upon the reasons eSyance
IN support Of II; and il 1t WERE should find the do
~ Tar better performed for me than could perforn
lor myself IN the annual message Of the President
OF The Unned States TO Congress OF the 7tb of Ne
cemOer, ls4l. Ia that document will he tound tbs
views OF me American Government upon this sub.
lee', ana 1t Is there empharcaly declared that
however desrous the United States nav be for he
suppression of the slave trade thew cenno, coo..n,
10 interpo"tons into the maritime code az the mere
VIII ami pleasure OF other Governments We DENY
une ,'sht OF any such interpolation TO any one or
a! the nations of the earth, without our consent
we c'alT TO have voice IN all amendments or al
tetaiions OF that code, and when we a,e given IN
u"ue's'ahu, as IN THIS instance, by foreign Co
'efnnent that It's treaties with other nations cannot
re executed without the establishment and enforce.
ment OF new principles of maritime police TO he an.
p'en ""hout our consent, we must employ lao
guage ne'iher OF equvoca import nor susceptible of
mIsconsIucton.' FN'N "
You will perceive, sir by these extracts tina, IN.
nuush Government has advanced pretension
whcn II asserts TO be ind spensnble 10 III. eY.cn
ton OF It's treaties for the suppression NJ tho -
trade, and 10 which the President of the IT. Sto,..
mas declared that the American Government will no,
summit ms claim OF search, It vii be observed
arising, rs is asserted, on, Of existing oblig,,ios
hss re'aI'n 10 the isolated treaties Tor the abolition
oi ths traffic which IN force NJ the da,e of Tho
COMMUNICATIONS OF Lord Paimcrsion ana Lord Aber
oeen. IL Is now known that the combined ,,,,,,,
upon ihs suhJeetis more extensive IN is operation!
ana more minute ~ some Of the details Of its exscu
ton, than the separate treaties with Fronc. I'LL
preceded u, and equally indefinite in the dn,,,ion
/ OF ITS Obligations OF course measures which 80
not only JUstihable but Indispensable for the ers,n
@ " we lstter' VIII ma equa justice and neces-
sity IN the Obligations Of the former
With this previous declaration made bv m. NJ
inc patt-s 10 tins qulntupe treaty. concerning 10
operations, the American government canno, sbu,
Wer eyes 70 theIr true posllion. The moral effect
which such union Of five great povers to-, -
which are eminenuy maritime but ib,ee ~ ,vh;.l
nave never perhaps, had a vessel engaged in tbat
NaHc, - calculated 10 produce upon the L. St,tcs
nnI upon other nations, which, like them. mov h.
I"osposeo 70 these combined movements though IL
may be regretted, yet furnishes no lust cause NJ
complaint. But tn subject assumes anotbcr o,n.e,
"heh they are told by one u the plres tbnt thsi,
vessels nre 20 be iorclbly entered and ernminsJ -
o'o1r 20 carry INTO effect these supilntions. Ger.
any we american government does not believe
mat inc nigh powers, contracting parties To his
treaty, have any wish TO compel the o. S,,te, bv
ofce 70 adapt u cir measures to It's provisions or 10
adopt its s'ipulsiions
They hnve too much confidence in their sense of
justice 70 fear any such result and tbev viii e.
With pleasure the prompt drnvowal made bv vo,,,-
SC W, ~ the nume Of your country 1T the tfbnn.
Of INC Cham cr ofDeputies Of any intentions of tbs
nature But were % Otherwise, and were Il pos,ible
iney might be- deceived 10 this confident ,sc,,tio
mat would not alter one TITLE their course Of ,c
ton. Their duty would be the same. md tho sor,.
/ "fu Os her d ts mnation 70 fulf IT, TbsV uo,t
prepare ihemsevcs, with apprehension indeed lint
Nthout oismay-with regret, but with hrmness. for
one OF foie desperate struggles wh ch hive some
tmes occurred in he history Of the world bu, Sbere
JUST cause nnd the fivor OF Providence have evon
Strength 20 complrauvs weakness, and enabled II IN
bfeak down the pride Of power
But have already said tho United States do MT
Iear mat any such united attempt will be made up
/ on theIf independence. What, however they mas
reasonably fear md what they do fear s, tha in tbs
execution Of this treaty measures viii bo taken
] "hch lhoy must resist How lar the ncis Of ono Of
Ine parties putting IT, construction upon is own du.
Ties, and upon the obligations Ol its co.contrsctors
mly nVo W these IN any unlocked for cousequencss
el.hef ~ he adoption Of similar measures or by
thtr rejection, 90 not presume 20 lodge. Certain
~ however, that II tho fact and tho principle adj
Vanced Of Lord Aberdeen arc correct that these
treaties Tor the abolition Of the slave trade cannot be
executed without fofcibly boarding American sbips
ats N time Of peace, and that the obligations
created by them confer not only the rgh, thus to
VoAe me American fog, but make this measure
i duiy-then u ~ also duty Of France 10 pursue
we same course. Should she put this construction
upon her obligations, IL is obvious the United States
nnus' 90 20 her ~ they will do to England, II she
pefsst N this attack upon their Independence.
Shou'd she not, u does not tecOme me 10 inves.
ga'e me nature Of her position with respect 10 one
o. her associates whose opinion concerning their
e.a'Na duties would be 90 widely different from
heh own Bot may express tho hope that the
government Of fIs Msiesiy. before fatifyina This
} '"eay' VIII examine maturely the pre,ensons as