Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-03-09

1 happy to say, is substantially the doctrine
81 .Gfent Britain herself, in her most recent
eclarnti 0ns,ahd even il those now comnlu.
nlcAfed loslas House. These declarations
lnaS 9ell lead Ils 10 doubt whether the an
parent difference between the Two Govern
3Insnts II not rather one Of definition than of
principle. Not only Is the right of search.
properly 80 called, disclaimed by Great
Btf;sin, but even that of mere visit and in.
curry Is asserted with qualifications incon-
sistent with the idea of perfect right.
In the despatch of Lord Aberdeen to Mr.
Everett, Of the 10Th December, l841, as also
10 that just received by the British Minister
IN this country, made Mr.. Fox, his Loreship
declares that it, in spite of ali the precau-
tons which shall be used to prevent such
occurrences, an American ship. by reason
81 any visit OF deentionNby British crui-
ser, should suffer loss and injury, it would
De followed by prompt and ample remune-
ratlon." And in order 10 make more mani
fest her intentions in this respect, Lord Alb
erdeen. in the despatch of the Goth Decem-
Der, makes known to Mr.. Everett, the na-
ture OF the instructions given to the British
cruisers. These are such as, if faithfully
observed, would enable the British Govern
ment to approximate the standard of IA fair
indemnity. That Government has, in seve-
raj cases, fulfilled her promises in this par
tlcular, by making adequate reparation for
damage done to our commerce. 1t is obVi-
Gus to remark, that a right which is only to
be exercised under such. restrictions and
precautions, and risk, ipscase of any assign
able damage, TO be followed by the con Sc
quences of trespass, can scarcely be con-
sidered any thing more than a privilege
asked for, and either conceded or withheld
on the usual principles Of international CO.
nifty.
: The principles laid down in Lord Aber.
deems. dispatches, and the assurance of in.
de'nnity therein held out. although the ut.
most reliance WAS placed on the good faith
OF the British Government, were not regard.
ed by the Executive as sufficient security
against the abuses which Lord Aberdeen nd.
mItied might arise in even the most cautious
and moderate exercise OF their new maritime
police. And therefore, in my message at the
opening of the last session, set forth the
views entertained by the Executive on this
subject, and substantially affirmed both our
inclination and ability to enforce our own
laws, protect our flag from abuse, and acquit
ourselves OF all our duties and obligations
on the high seas. In view of these asser-
tons the Treaty of Washington was negoti-
ated and upon consultation with the British
negotlatOr as to the Quantum of force neces-
sary to be employed in order to attain these
objects, the result 10 which the most deiibe-
rate estimate led was embodied in the eighth
article OF the Treaty.
Such were my views nj the time of nego-
tiating that Treaty. and such, in my opinion,
is its plain and fair interpretation. / re-
garded the eighth article as removing al!
possible pretext, on the ground of mere ne
cesSitX In risit and 4leiai in -ships apen the
n n NIL -,
of our flag by saye.traders Of. .sf;er nations.
We had taken upon cs,fsI ives the burden OF
preventing any such abuse, by STIMULATING to
furnish IN -arnat.4 farce-regarded by both
the high contracting parties as sufficient to
accomplish thatobject. Denying, as we did
and do, all color of right to exercise any such
general police over the flags of indepent ma
lions, we did not demand Of Great Britain
any formal remuneration Of her pretensions.
Sill less had we the least idea of yielding
any thing ourselves in that respect. We
chose to make practical settlement of the
question. This we owed to what we had al |
ready done upon this subject. The honor
of the country called for 1.-THE honor of its
flag demanded that it should not be used by
others to cover an iniquitous traffic. This
Government, ! am very sure, has both the
inclination and the ability To do this; and. if
need be-, it will not content itself with feet
of eighty guns--but sooner than any foreign
shall exercise the province of
executing its laws and fulfilling its obliga
tons, the highest of which is to protect its
flag alike from abuse or insult, it would, II
doubt not, put in requisilion for that purpose
It's whole naval power. The purpose Of this
government is faithfully to fulfil the Treaty
on it's part and it will not permit itself to
doubt that Great Britain will comply with it
on hers. In this way peace will DO best
preserved, and the most nmicable relations
maintained between the two countries.
JOHN TYLER.
WASHINGTON, February, II. 1913.