Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-25

with the ocean The principles upon which il rests
SO far as they any, OF universal application
For wherever a British cruiser meets vessel benrn,
the American flag, such cruiser may wish TO know
"a prevous wrong has been committed and whe
lher she is truly what she pretends to be. Such
the necessary quences of this doctrine and sucl
we now ascertain the extent 10 which II is to b'
pushed II is distinctly announced by Sir Rnber
Peel in his late speech, that this right OF visitation
not necessarily connected with the slave trade; ant
mi. i confirmed by The "Tlmes, which says, "lha
This rioht has obviously intrinsic necessary con
nec,;,n with the slave trade-and s'lhat il is part
the marine code OF nations. How, then, could con
ventional arrangement, oblging US TO keep squadron
upon the coast Of Africa guard against lis exercise, oil
.supe rssde in The words OF the message, "any sup
posed necessity or any motive for such examination oil
visit;
Again. how could it guard against these effects
even If the operation of the doctrine were limited to
search or visitation 10 the slave trade latitudes Eng
land said TO US: We have made treaty with France,
by which we have right TO search her ships, and to
send them in for condemnation, If they engaged in
the sin ye trade Ii we cannot search your ships
cannot execute this treaty, because French vessel,
by hosting an American flag, will place herself be-
yond the reach of our cruisers Therefore, shall
riSit your ships.
Now il is manifest that squadron upon the coast
of Africa will not change in the slightest degree, this
state of things. French vessel may still hoist on
American Gag and thus protect cargo OF slaves so far
this protects IT, IN any part OF tue great ocean, ou
the African coast 10 the coast Of Brazil Is this squad
ron of 90 guns or is any vessel to be every where
And where it is not what will prevent any ship from
placing an American flag at its mast head:
en- stating, not defending, the British doctrne, ana
do not enter here into those obvious conscientious,
which demonstrate its fallacy and injustice. THIS
have attempted else where, but with what success, II
does not become 10 judge. have attempted 10
show that because any of the Estates OF ChrIstenoom
choose form treaties for the attainment OF ooects mi
iary, commercial phiianthroptc, such mutual ar
engagements give them right TO change the establish
ed laws Of nations and to stop and search our vessels
upon the great highway OF the world 1t is the slave
trade to-day may be the sugar trade to morrow and
the cotton trade the day after But, besides, II is OBJ
vious that all the put by the British political CO
suis,s in support of this doctrine mere CUES
tons Of identity, where he who does the deed and
boards the vessel acts upon his right but upon his
responsibility and like the sheriff, who arrests per
son upon writ, is justified or not, according to the
result
But ii is clear tha, this claim as asserted. at
all inconsistent with treaty stipulation; that
this stipulation does not render unnecessary the exer
of the clan and therefore, does not expressly,
so neither does by far implication, E" make prac
article all possible pretext The ground OF
African coast because Of The alleged abuse of our flag
BY slave traders Of other nations.
Very respectfully, sir,
] have the honor 10 be
Your obedent servant,
(Signed) LEWIS CASS.
Hon. DAslEL WEBSTER,
6 81,