Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-14
THE SLAVE TRADE.

a .NeW VieO. The National lntelligencer, in
sensible article, reviewing the recent Legislation
OF the United States and Great Britain on
the subject OF the African slave trade, and
showing that II was at the request Of the United
States, and aller we had ourselves declared that
trade piraticd for American citizens and vessels,
that Great Britain likewise denounced it as pra-
cy--proceeds to this, to us, new view of the posi-
lion in which an American vessel il peradventure
detained, with slaves Oh board, by British cruz
er, would be placed in claiming the protection Of
our Government. The maxim Of chancery, that
petitioner Tor redress must come into Court with
clean hands, seems quite applicable in this case
NJ Y american.
Notwithstanding these enactmens, the slave
trade, we suppose, cannot be regarded land we
regret lt) as piracy by The loW Of Nations Ii is
not an offence, therefore, that Uny Government
can prevent or punish without regard TO the ma
uonal character of the offender And for this rea.
son Lord ABERDEEN admits IN his noIe to Mr.. Ev-
ereu of the Goth of December, l64l, and also in
his recent communication TO MIR. Fox, that II
British cruiser finds American vessel crowded
full OF slaves, she must YET suffer her to proceed
with her cargo of misery aud all her guilt on her
head, 20 her destined market.
But here arises another question, which shows
the difficulties which surround this whole subject
Suppose British cruiser, meeting an American
vessel with slaves on board should not let her pass
suppose she should detain her, take out tho
slaves and break up her voyage-whal would I've
the consequence of all this !: The cruiser would
be acting against his instructions; but what would
be the remedy for the owner or master Of the
savo vessel What recourse would be lett to
| him?
In communication from the President to the
Senate, Of the oh Of January last, we find the
following very important paragraph;
"Vesses OF the United States found engaged in
the African slave trade guilty of piracy under
the acts of Congress 1t is difficult to say that
such vessels can claim any interference OF the
Government in their behalf into Thusesoever
hands they may happen to ljd' any more than ves-
sells which should turn general pirates. Notor-
Gus African slave traders cannot claim the protec-
ton OF the American character, inasnIuch as they
are acting in direct violation OF the laws OF their
country, and stand denounced by those laws rs
plrates.'
This seems to US entirely just, and TO be the un-
avoldabIe result OF our own law. lie who, m the
eye of that law is pirate, cannot come into the
presence Of his own Government and demand its
interference against those, be they who they may,
who have interrupted the successful progress of
HE pratical operations, and prevented him from
concentrating n transaction which the laws of
that country regard as most foul and hemOus
crime, justly punishable wHh death. Branded by
u name odous to all men, ranked with murderers
aud sea robbers, aud engaged III truific not less
odious TO humanity and aIrocious in the sight OF
God than obnoxious TO human law, how can he
raise up his hands still red and reekng with in
nocenl blood, either TO demand redress from man,
or to suppllcae mercy from Heaven! We trust,
we most devoully trust, and, we will add, we most
confidently trust, that the Government of the Uni
ted States, Instead oil interfering TO ask redress or
indemnify for whatever nay have happened III q
case tainted by well founded suspicion OF concern
in the slave trade, will hand the whole case, and
all who present il, and all found in any way con
nected with it, over 10 the criminal courts, TO be
dealt with as they deserve