The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-04

case Of the Enterprise followed. Il took place in
| 1885 aud differed ~ no material circumstances from
the Others, as was acknowledged by the British Gov
emment except that II occurred alter the act Of
Parliament abolishing slavery in tho colonies had
gone into operation, aud the others prior 10 that pc
Rod.
Aliera long correspondence of nearly ten years,
he BRUSH government agreed topay for the slaves
on board OF The tao first, the ground that they
were liberated before the act abolishing slavery had
gone into operation but refused 10 pay for those be-
longing TO the Enterprise because they were liberated
alter II had 10 justify this distinction Lord Pal
mersion had TO assume the ground virtually that the
law OF nations was opposed 10 slayeryan assumption
lhat placed the property third Of the Union with
Out Tie pale oil us protection Ga that ground, he
femPtoriy refused compensation for the slaves on
| board the Enterprise Our Executive, under this re-
| lusal accepted the compensation for those board
me Comet and Encomium, and closed the correspon-
dence, without even bringing the subject before Con-
gress With such perfect indifference was the whole
aiar treated that, during the long period tho nego-
talion was pending the subject was never men
toned, as lar as he recollected in any Executive
sage VIII those OF FAR less magntude-the debt of
lew millions due from France and this very boun-
dairy queSlion-were constantly brought before Con
| sress aud had nearly involved the country in war
| with two OF the leading powers of Europe. Those
who are now so shocked that the boundary question
should be settled, without settlement also Of this
slood ny III silence, year after year, during this long
period, not only without attempting t. unite the set
temeht Of inns wil mat OF the boundary, but with
Out ever once naming abiding to il as an item in
inc list oil me dispute between the two powers. 1t
was regarded as beheat notice He reioiced To wit.
ness The great change that has taken place relation
TO II and to ni that those who were then silent and
indifferent, now exhibit so much zeal and yehemence
ABOUT IT, lie took credit to himself for having
uou'ed 10 Dring this change about. IL was he who
revived our claim when II lay dead and buried
among the archives of the State Departmcnt-who
caiied Tor The correspondence-who moved resolu-
IONS armIng the principles of the law Of nations in
reference 10 these cases, and repeng the presump-
'uous ana insulting assumption on which IT was denied
ny the British negotator Such was the force of
TRUTH and solid the foundation ON which he rested
our claim, that his resolutions received the unanimous
vote OF inns body but he received support-no
not a cheering word-from the quarter which now
processes 30 much zeal on the subject His utmost hope
at tte Time was to keep alive right till some pro-
ptious moment should arrive to assert il successfully
In the mean time, the of the Creole occurred
which, as shocking and outrageous as il is was but
the legitimate consequence of the principle main
taned Dy Lord Pa'merston, and on which he closed
the correspondence In the case of the Enterprise
Such was the State of the facts when the negotia-
'iohs commenced In reference to these and il
remains now to be shown in what state it has left
.hem In tae first place, the broad principles of the
law OF nations, which he placed our right in his
resolutions have been clearly stated and concusvey
indicated IN the very able letter Of the Secretary Of
state, which has strengthened our cause not little
as wei from It's intrinsic merit the quarter from
winch II comes In the next place, we have an eX-
pclt recognition OF the principles for which we con-
tend, in the Of Lord Ashburton who express
says, that on the great general principles affect
ing this case he Creo e) "they do not differ :" and
that is followed by " an engagement that nstruc tons
shall be gwen to the governors of Her Maesy's col
onies on the southern borders of the United States
TO execute their own laws with careful attention to
the wishes Of their Government to maintain good
neghbornood and that there shall be ofcious in
reference with American vessels driven by accident
or violence into their ports The avs and duties of
| hospitality shall be executed" This pledge was ac-
cepted by our Executive, accompanied by the express
declaration Of the President through the Secretary of
State, that he places his reliance those principles
| of pUblic law which had been stated in the note of
| the Secretary Of State. To all this il may be added
hat str ng assurances given b, the British nego.
tator of his belief that final arrangement NAV be
made of the subject by positive stipulatons in Lon
don. Such is the state in which the negotiation has
! left the subject.
| Here again he would repeat that such stipuations
in the tr, atty itself would have been preferable But
who can deny, when he compares the state of the
facts as they stood before and since the close of this
| negotiation, that we have ganed-largely gained-in
reference 10 this important subject; Is there diff
| ference he would ask, between stern and peremp-
tory denial OF our right, on the broad and insu ing
ground assumed by Lord Palmerston, and its explicit
recognition by Lord Ashbur'on nome in the pledge
that instructions should be given TO guard against the
| recurrence OF such cases TO a positive denial that
| we had suffered wrong insult and had any right
to complain hone between final closing of all ne
collation. and strong assurance of final adjust
ment OF the subject by satisfactory arrangement by
treaty And would il be wise or prudent on our
part 10 reject what has been gained because all has
! not been. As to himself hc must say that al the
time lie moved his resolutions he little hoped in the
short space Of two years to obtain what has already
been gained and that he regarded the prospect Of
final end satisfactory adjustment, at distant day.
of this subject vital IN lis principles to his constit-
ucn and the whole South as far more probable than
he then did this explicit recognition of the principles
| for which lac coutended. In the mean time he felt
assured the engagement given by the British negota-
tor would be fulfilled in good faith and LAT the
hazard OF collision between the countries and the
disturbance of their peace and friendship has passed
away as far as II depends this dangerous subject
! But If in this he should unfortunately be mistaken
we should stand on much more solid ground in de-
fence OF our rights, IN consequence Of what has been
gained as there would then be superadded broken
faith to the violation Of the laws of nations
Having now said what he intended ou the moro
important points, he would pass over without dwell.
ling on the provision Of the tray for delivering M
TO Justice persons charged with certain crimes the
affair of the Carolnc and the correspondence in ref
erence TO impressment The first is substantially
the same as that contained in Jaws treaty on the
same subject, On the next he had nothing to add
to what has already been sand As TO the last he did
not doubt that the strong ground taken in the cores
pondclce against the imp esment ofseamen on board
Of our merchant vessels, in time of war; would have
good effect II will contribute TO convince Great
Britain that the practice cannot be renewed in the
event Of another European war, without certain
and immediate conflict between the two countries
| (said Mr. CkLuoUN) have now stated my opinion
fully and mpartIay on the treaty with the connected
subjects. On reviewing the whole and weighing the
reasons for and against its ratification cannot doubt
that the former greatly preponderate IL we have
not gained all that could be desired we have gained
much that is desirable and if all has not been set
tied much has been-and that, not Of little mpor-
lance. II us not of little importance TO have the
Northeastern boundary settled-and that, too with
the consent OF the States Immediately interested
subject which has been in dispute almost from the orr
gin of the Go, eminent, and which had become more