Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-16


10 lis introduction. And if Lord Ashburloh
did moi come out with instructions from his Govern
men 10 endeavor to effect arrangement upon ms
subject lie world has strangely misunderstood one o.
lie great objects of his mission and have misunder
stood that paragraph your first note where you say
that Lord Ashburlon with full powers nego-
tate md settle all matters discussion between Eng
Ia nd ard the United States But the very fact OF his
coming here, and Of his acceding 10 any stpula'ons
respectng the slave trade, conclusive proof that his
Government were desrous to obtain the cooperation
of the United States. had supposed our Government
would scarcely take the initiative in this matter, and
urpe il npon that Of Great Britain, either in Washing
ion or in London. If it did so, Gun only express my
regret and confess that have been led inadvertently
into
You then proceed TO remark, in continuation Of this
tissue of mistakes that N entering into this arrange
ment the e. ) did not depart from The principle OF
avoiding European combinations upon subject not
American because The abolition Of the slave trade is
equally an American and European subject. This may
i,e so mas be wrong in the application of the primer
ple But such an erroneous conclusion scarcely juses
the ep,he, ofan adreaturous statement one tissue 81
mistakes But apart from this, still think that comb
nations Of this kind among The 'enangng ALLAN
ces" against which The great statesman whose expos
ton of our Constitution will go down TO posery with
the instrument ITSELF warned his counirymen And the
perpeually recurring difficulties which presenting
in the execution OF the Convntions between
France and England upon this subject, should be d
caution TO nations against The introduction OF
rhine principles, whose operations and results il is
difficult TO foresee
But is the suppression ct the African slave trade
one of those American objects, in the attainment of
which we ought seek the cooperation of other ma
lions and regulate our duties and theirs by treaty
stioualions, did not think In the first place, the
nrnciple would necessarily lead TO form alliances
with every maritime nation. II IS not England alone
whose flag rides over the seas. Other countries must
hnI
we have made propositions 10 England to join in this
efTort | do not see why we stop there and deprive
ourselves of the aid which the action Of other nations
would afford. doubt if the people Of this country
prepared for such extensive combinations.
But again, while fully agreeing with you in all the
odun you cast upon that Infamous traffic. it appears to
me that any object interesting to humanity, and in
which nations may with propriety engage has the same
claim if in degree, at least in principle upon
and calls upon us for q union with other
nations TO fleet il. 1t may be easily seen, where
such doctrine would conduct us that escapes human
susacity, bu. toward what ruinous Consequences it
leads
You conclude this branch of The subject, By inform
ing that you directed by the President 10 bring
10 my serious consideration and reflection the proprey
OF such assumed narration of facts your despatch
in this respect puts forth.
shall not say one word TO give the President any
of offence; and if felt tina. was Justly obnox-
ious 10 this censure, should submit TO the rebuke in
silence. lie would have right 10 make it, and il
would be my duty to acquiesce. But have that
dence in his innate love justice, that lie will receive
my explanations, and Judge me by my words and not
by my unauthorized constructions
Now in all that have said, the paragraph to which
you allude, and which you have strongly qualified,
you have pointed out but fact, erroneous, nd
that is the assertion that the introduction of the SUBJ
ject Of the slave trade into the treaty due the
application OF England. And whether even this was
error depends upon the construction 10 be given
your explanation. All else, repeat it, all else, to the
very least idea, is matter of Inference 1t is my de-
ducton from the circumstances Of the case. may be
right or wrong, logically in the conclusions have
reached but certainly am not morally responsible for
their correctness, should be if asserted merely
naked facts |, is therefore, with not little as,onish
men, have read and re. read wha, | wrote, and the
you have been pleased 10 make upon it.
Il is neither necessary nor proper that should renew
the general sbjec, OF my letter, and therefore do not
feel II my duty 10 trouble you with any remarks res
pectlng the views You have presented me Of the pre-
tensions of the British Government TO eli ships
But when you proceed 10 array me against myself,
mus, clam the right to vndicate my consistency.
GU quote me, and quote correctly, ing, that,
up 10 the delivery OF The annual message OF 1884, our
national dignity was uncompromlted. You then ask
what has since occurred 10 compromt this dignity and
you add emphatically tina, shall myself be the judge
If this because in subsequent part Of my despatch
say the mutual rights of the parties are wholly un
changed. And you ask, If they are unchanged, What
ground there is which to found complaint against
the treaty think that very brief retrospect will be
the best answer give TO this question, and that it
will redeem me from the implied charge Of nconsist
eBcy.
| never said nor in,imated in my despatch to you,
nor in any whatever that our Government had
conceded to that Of England the right 10 search our
ships. That idea, however, pervades your letter, and
very apparent in that part Of which brings to my OBJ
servaton the possible effect of my views upon the Eng
t. q l.. 10
sure unn,entionally, great injustice. repeatedly
state that the recent treaty leaves the ghts of the par
ties as il found them My difficulty is not that we have
made positive concession, but that we have acted
in not making the abandonment of this
preenson previous condition to any Conventional
arrangement upon the general subject had supposed
till read your letter. that this view was TOO distinctly
in my despatch to admit OF any mscons!ruc
ton. ! will condense into small space what deem
IT necessary to say in defence Of my consistency
England claimed The right, in order as she said, TO
carry into effect certain treaties she had formed for the
suppression Of the slave trade TO board and search
vessels upon the high seas, wherever she might find
them Our Government, with energy and pronptness,
repealed this pretcnsion. Shortly after, special Bri-
fish Ambassador arrived in country having powers
TO treat upon this matter of the slave trade The ne
collation. terminated by arrangement which secures
the cooperation of The U. S. in the efforts that Eng
land is making upon this subject. But not word IS
SAID upon the serious claim that subjects 10 the naval
inqusltion of commercial rival our ships, which the
enterprise OF merchants is sending TO every part of the
globe. And yet this claim arises of The very sub
Jecl matter embraced in this treaty. We negotiate with
England for The suppression of the slave trade, at the
very mouen; her statesmen telling US in no mea-
snred terms, that to suppress she will violate our flag,
and that she will never give MP this pretenson. Now
here It appears to me the Government should have
stopped. The English negotintor should have been
told 1--WE abhor, much you do, the traffic in hu
man beings, and will do all that our peculiar nsti-
tutlnns permit 10 put end 10 it. But we will not
suffer this matter 10 be made The pretext for woundng
our honor and violating rights. We will not take
single step till you renounce this claim. We have
denounced it already, and if should negotiate upon
the subject matter without settling this preliminary
question, 1t may seem like abandonment of the
ground we have taken, indifference to the con-
sequences
Had thus course been pursued the sincerity of the
British Government would have undergone practical
test, from which there would have been no escape. 1t
would not have been necessary quote the last des
patch OF Lord Aberdeen 10 show what he meant in ano
Their, or Lord Palmersion in The frs. If such pro
position had been made and accepted honor would
have been indicated rights secured and bright
example Of sincerity and moderation would have been
IN fha .cr1d - n,I hoa0